Page 31 of Claiming Her Cougar
I look over my shoulder.
He’s standing at the tailgate of his old red truck.“Sweet dreams.”
“You too, Liam.”My throat feels tight.I enter the house and close the door behind me.
“Want anything to drink, Mal?”Daphne calls out from the kitchen.
“A bottle of water, please.”I smile at my friend and accept the bottle she offers.
“Are you okay?”
Her perceptive nature is part of what makes her such a good friend, but I wish she’d turn it off.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I fib, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip of water, hoping to dislodge the lump that’s formed in my throat.It’s silly to miss someone I don’t even know.He’ll be gone for a week.Big whoop.I only really met him a week ago.You can’t count our sexy times in Vegas since we mostly kissed and screwed each other.We were strangers then and intended to remain strangers.You can’t miss someone after a week of knowing them.I know that.Then why does his absence feel like a shadow, and why am I already eager for his return?
11
LIAM
Entering my home,I put my keys on the table next to the door and wander into the kitchen to grab a beer.I stuck to soda through the game because I didn’t want to be the only one drinking in our group.Mallory only had soda.Daphne gets crazy when she mixes alcohol and hockey, so she’s a teetotaler at games, saving her crazy for home, and Logan doesn’t drink a drop when he’s driving.I take a deep swig and sigh.It was a good game, and everyone liked Mallory.I knew they would.
Walking into my bedroom, I set my bottle on the dresser as I pull my bag from the closet and place it on the bed to pack for the next week.I start with a couple of suits, a selection of dress shirts and ties for the dinners with outlet center managers I’ll have to attend.I add my dress shoes to the bottom of the garment bag and zip it up.Next, I start with the business casual clothes I’ll need for my tours.I can do this packing in my sleep, so I let my thoughts drift back to Mallory.
I don’t think it’s my ego talking when I say I don’t believe she’s not interested.I think she is, but for some reason, she feels she must deny it.She liked me just fine in Vegas.She seemed like she was cool with seeing me socially back here in Jersey until she learned my last name and my position in the company.
I’ll be gone for a week.Maybe my absence will make her heart grow fonder?She didn’t say no to keeping in touch while I’m gone, so we’ll see how that goes.If nothing else, we become friends.I know I’m not entitled to her friendship or anything else, but considering we’re close to Logan and Daphne, we’ll end up together a lot socially, so getting along with each other is for the best.
Stripping out of my clothes, I climb between the cool sheets, thinking about Mallory staying over with Daphne and Logan.She’s sleeping in the same guest bed I stayed in the other night after Logan and I spent the evening watching football and drinking beer.Is that the closest I’m ever getting to sharing a bed with Mallory Carter?
* * *
I toured the outlet centers in Rehoboth, Delaware and outside Ocean City, Maryland today and am pleased to see that they’re operating smoothly and looking good.They’re decorated for the holidays, and the special programs planned to enhance the shopping experience are in place.I had dinner at a local steakhouse with the management teams from the centers.I’ve been working with most of these people for a couple of years, so dinner is relaxed but productive.Tomorrow, I’ll start traveling to our other centers throughout Maryland.Virginia is slated for early next week, and I’ll head home next Thursday.
I check the time on my phone.It’s just past 9:00 p.m.Is it too late to text Mallory?I decide to send a simple greeting and see if she responds.
Me: Hi
I wait for a response, but one doesn’t come.I fire up my laptop and type notes from today’s visits.When it’s 11:00 p.m.and I still haven’t heard from her, I turn off my laptop and go to bed.Maybe she said I could text her just to appease me and get me to leave last night?Tell me what I want to hear to avoid confrontation?I hope not because while I want to be in touch with her, I don’t want to be thought of as the type of man you need to coddle and appease to avoid unpleasantness.I’m a grown-up.I can accept rejection.
A chime in the early light of dawn rouses me from my half-dosing, don’t-feel-like-moving state to check my phone where it’s charging on the nightstand.I can’t stop the grin that forms when I see it’s a text from Mallory.
Mallory: Hey, sorry I missed you last night.I had a headache and went to bed early.
Me: I hope you’re feeling better?
Mallory: Yeah, all good.What’s up?
I glance down at my morning wood.I don’t think that’s what she’s asking about.
Me: Went to the Delaware and coastal Maryland centers yesterday.Going to other Maryland properties today.Nothing too exciting.
Mallory: You’re gone until next week?
She cares how long I’ll be gone?Is that progress?Or is she asking so she knows I won’t be around to bother her?
Me: Yeah, I should be home next Thursday.The centers in Maryland and Virginia are bigger, so I can’t go through them as quickly.I have dinner with the management teams too.
Mallory: I hope everything goes smoothly.I need to get ready for work.Have a good day.:smiley emoji:
