Page 26 of Delicate Storm

“I know. But I promise you, you’re my number one priority. I’m not going to pretend I won't be busy, because I know I will be. But if you call, I’ll be there. You just have to ask.”

Dad pulls me into a side hug, and while it’s awkward and unfamiliar for the two of us, it’s still kind of nice. And a little part of me thaws because of it.

When I first moved here, I wasn’t sure I’d made the right decision, but today, after the shoot and my talk with Dad, I’m confident in my choice. I think it will be good for me.

Welcome to my new life. I’m a California girl. It’s time to embrace it.

After dinner, Dad calls us a car and we go in search of ice cream—the cute little parlor by our building closes early midweek so we need another option. When our driver stops to drop us off after we finish our dessert, my gaze locks on a familiar figure, and I smile as window-seat guy slows from a run.

Dad chats with his driver while I lose all train of thought, watching as window-seat guy lifts his tee to wipe sweat from his face, giving me a clear view of his sculpted abs.

Abs I have imagined many times before while never truly picturing the perfect specimen he is.

As I ogle him from the comfort of my hiding place, he locks his palms behind his head and his biceps bulge, leading me to imagine his arms braced on a bed as he hovers above me, my legs wrapped around his back, our bod—

“Are you ready?”

“What?” I choke on thin air, my face paling as my dad’s question snaps me out of my fantasy. My gaze whips around to check if he noticed what…or who I was staring at. But his warm smile suggests that he didn’t.

“I can’t get out until you do.” He chuckles, gesturing to the door.

“Sorry, yes. I was in my own world.”

“I could tell. You were staring into space.”

Space? That will do. I’d rather he assume that I was lost in my head than discover I was perving on some guy in our building.

I take my time, slowly grabbing my bag before opening my door, and by the time I get out of the car, window-seat guy’s gone and I’m both relieved and disappointed.

There’s no reason to hide him away from my dad, but at the same time I wouldn’t know how to introduce him.

Saying “Dad, this is a random guy I met on a plane. He’s a little grumpy but intrigues me enough that I think we could be friends” doesn’t quite feel right.

We’re not friends, acquaintances, or even actually neighbors. But there’s something there, hovering between us, because every time I see him my smile widens involuntarily and an excitement takes over me. I can’t explain it, but I’m determined to find out what it means. Whether he likes it or not.

One can never have too many friends, and God knows, I could use a friend around here.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Easton

For the next few weeks, I see Paige more than I’ve seen anyone else in my building. If I had a regular schedule, I’d seriously question if she was stalking me. But since I’m barely keeping up with where I need to be or when, I doubt she is. And if by chance shewasup-to-date with my whereabouts, I’d have to consider hiring her as my personal assistant because my life is a mess.

I still haven’t done anything about our living arrangements, and with football season ramping up, I’m hesitant to change too much because I won’t be around to help Isaac settle in. Meaning…apartment living it is.

On the plus side, Isaac is loving his Wednesday-night sleepovers with his nana, and the extra time to myself doesn’t hurt either.

Mom suggested I use the time to meet new “friends.” Her way of suggesting I start dating again. But right now, dating isn’t in the cards for me. Sex isn’t even in the cards for me, and God am I suffering because of it. My hand can only do so much.

An image of Paige works its way to the forefront of my mind, like it always seems to do when I think about my poor abandoned needs, and I can’t help but laugh. She’s not the first attractive woman to talk to me and she won’t be the last, but for some reason she’s the only person in a long time that I’ve actually thought about after she’s gone.

When I was with Macy, I never once strayed, even after we mentally separated, staying together only to keep up appearances.

Did we have sex during that time? Yes, regularly. But it was more to satisfy aneedrather than awant,and I guess that wasn’t enough for her in the end.

I wish we’d called it quits sooner.

Since then, I’ve had plenty of offers—women willing to help ease my pain now that the world, or at least America, knows I was cheated on.

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