Page 77 of Take This Heart
She has a point, but we are not here to argue the level of Milo Lombardi’s hotness.
“He said I was being distant…back tofrosty Goldie.” I shake my head and scowl. “When he’s the one who couldn’t get out of my room fast enough the night before.”
“Wait, you made out in your room? With Papa Everett nearby?” Erin says, laughing. “Get it, girl.”
“No, it was outside against the house. It was amazing.” I sigh.
“And then you moved it inside?” Juju asks, pressing her lips together in excitement.
“No, he just wanted to make sure I got in okay, I think.”
“Aww,” they both croon.
“No,notaw,” I hiss. “I was willing to…you know…and he wasn’t…he didn’t…so he left and I felt stupid.”
“I don’t know how, but I think I followed that,” Erin says. “You were hurt that he didn’t want to have sex?”
I nod, my face flaming. “It was a big deal for me to get that far after the whole…lying thing…”
“Yeah,” Juju says softly. “But I think he was probably scared to tell you after getting so close to you…and he probably didn’t want to have sex with your dad in the house,” Juju says.
“Or maybe he wanted you both sober for it,” Erin adds.
“He did mention that he wanted to sink inside me and never leave, but wanted me fully sober for it.” I cover my face with my hands and peek through them.
“Hot damn,” Erin says. “He might be the only man who could make me want peen.” She holds up her hand. “For your sake, of course.”
“Oh, he wants you. He wants youbad.” Juju clasps her hands together. “Youhaveto take the Scarlett Landmark lingerie! Both sets. And listen to the latest Archer book on audio. That guy’s voice gives me chills. You will be primed and ready.”
They both laugh and I look at them in mortification.
“This is not happening. We work together. It was bad enough that we made out and had a fight the next day. Youthink we could have sex and recover?” I whisper-shout the words because the bar is loud tonight.
“As long as he’s good with aftercare and you take a warm bath somewhere between railings, I think you’ll recover just fine,” Erin says.
I throw my napkin at her.
I don’t see Milo until Friday afternoon.
That good ole denial comes into play and I put the trip out of my mind.
I almost forget we even planned this weekend. Okay, that’s a lie. But Itryto forget, if that counts for anything.
I bury myself in picking chairs and tables for the restaurant and lodge, spending time with Dad, and working on a painting in the other spare moments. Friday morning, I panic when Dad asks me if I’m still planning on going.
“What? Why am I just now hearing about this?” Grandma Nancy swoops in, her hands clasped and eyes hopeful.
“Because I didn’t want you guys to get any ideas,” I say, glaring at Dad.
He just grins.
“I hope you’ll be nicer to that boy. He is so handsome. And so polite!” Grandma Donna says.
“Mmm. He’s certainly got you fooled.” And then I concede, “He can be nice when he wants to be.”
They both beam at me, and again, I stare at my dad.
Sorry,he mouths.
