Page 80 of Love, Luck & Clusterf*ck

He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly. “Remember when I told you on the phone that I did a lot of thinking this past week? Well, I need to explain what I meant by that.”

“Okay.”

“The weekend that I went up north, I was actually going to give you the necklace then. But I freaked out. I got scared. Started questioning if I wanted to be in a relationship.”

I stared at him. “But it was your idea to begin with. You evenasked me to move in with you.”

He gave me a squeeze. “I know, baby. I know it was my idea, but that didn’t stop me from wondering if I’d made the correct decision. I had to do some soul-searching to make sure it was what I really wanted. I was relieved when I had to cover for Regg because even though I was swamped at the gym, I also had that time away from you to put things into perspective. Do you know where I’m going with this?”

“No,” I whispered, hoping he wouldn’t ask me to move in again.

“I came to the conclusion that I only want you. I’m sure of that now. One hundred percent. I don’t need anyone else. We have a history together. We’ve always found our way back to each other no matter who else came into our lives. I can imagine us together now without an ounce of doubt, and that feels fucking fantastic. When I gave you the necklace, Perry, it felt right.”

His pretty words were coming through faster than I could process them. I’d never known Dre to act like this. He was saying all the right things, doing all the right things. He was beautiful to look at. Sure, he had his share of irritating traits just like everyone else, and he preferred his kids to have wheels and tranny fluid, but all that aside, he was a great catch.

He nuzzled his face into my neck. “You and me, Perry,thatfeels right.”

Yes, a great catch. Now I just had to convince my heart that he was the right catch forme.

I’d convinced my heart.

Almost.

I was also almost sure that the only thing left to do was get my body involved and then everything would fall into place. I had to move the good feelings along, and the first step in the process was resuming sex with my boyfriend. I checked the time. That task would be accomplished within the next hour.

Sam had texted me to say they were coming home much earlier than planned. She and Paul were out for so-called date night and had decided to cut it short. Like hours short. I watched out the window for them. I’d babysat Emily at their home this time, and she was already down for the night. Once they arrived, I’d be out the door and on my way to Dre’s.

I’d done little else than think about us since he’d left the night before. I’d poured over every word, every feeling he’d expressed. Iwanted to want the same thing. I wanted to have a mature relationship with one man, to experience a pounding of my heart whenever he entered the room. I’d gone over our entire history, everything we’d been through together and apart.

It was some time that morning when I’d decided that I needed to give us a fair shot. I may not have been a hundred percent confident like him, but I at least owed it to him to try and get there. He’d been there for me over the years, and now it was my turn to be there for him. I was looking forward to seeing his reaction when I showed up and surprised him. Without a doubt, he’d be very happy to know that my residual period that had been hanging around the night before—however scant but still forbidden—was now completely over. I was ready to roll.

I fingered the heart necklace that I’d worn all day. I’d get used to that too in no time.

Their car pulled into the driveway, and Paul hopped out first. He didn’t even wait for my sister before coming inside.

“Hi, Perry. Emily asleep?”

“Yep, for almost an hour.” I went to the door. “I’m gonna take off now. I’ll say goodbye to Sam on my way out.”

“Wait.” His beady eyes darted around. “Christa’s not with you tonight?”

I could practically see his tongue wagging and it disgusted me. Fucking pig. I didn’t know how my sister did it. How someone could be so oblivious to what was going on around them was beyond me.

“No, she’s not.”Dickhead. I walked out. God, if I ever had to live with that guy, I’d be having to check myself for bugs daily.

After talking briefly with Sam, I was in my car and ready to forge ahead. Ready to spend some time with the man who made my heart flitter-flutter. I couldn’t wait to see Stephen again.

Fuuuuuuck.

No no no. Not Stephen. Dre. Dammit.I white-knuckled thesteering wheel. I could not make that slip-up again. Stephen: friend. Dre: boyfriend. Three measly letters that made such an astronomical difference.

Got it straight, Perry?Good.

I spent the rest of the drive trying to horn myself up so I’d be ready to pounce. I didn’t want to waste any time.

I pulled up to the curb of his house, noting his car in the driveway. I’d been so hell-bent on getting there right away that I hadn’t considered he might not be home yet. We’d planned on seeing each other after I’d left my sister’s, but he wasn’t expecting me to finish up so soon.

Using my key, I opened the side door and crept up the stairs. The place was quiet and the sun was just starting to go down. When I got closer to his bedroom, I heard the shower running. I didn’t bother flipping a light or making my presence known. I had other ideas.

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