Page 51 of Four Simple Rules
“I liked the dandelion,” she whispers, getting up on her tippy toes and kissing my cheek. “These are pretty, too. Now, will you show me where you live? I’d love a tour of your house, too.”
I blink down at her and grin. “I’ll give you a tour of anything you want, Tulip.”
All the water evaporates from my mouth as I stare at my computer screen. I expected something at the beginning of August, two months away. Maybe a month. Or nothing at all. Yet, here sits a letter of intent, sitting in my inbox.
Dear Blake Reynolds,
My name is Dr. Angela Ruckus, and I’ve heard many good things about you. I head our horticulture and agricultural program at the University of Port Moral in Boston. We were so sorry to hear about your departure from Western. Your supervisor, Nikki, forwarded a recommendation to us with your name on it. And I’d like to discuss some options with you at your earliest convenience.
My heart freaking stops as my eyes repeatedly move across the words. Over and over, I absorb the offer, and my stomach churns. When Nikki said to expect a call, I didn’t think it would be an informal email within days of my job ceasing to exist, asking me if I’d like to travel out and take an all-expenses-paid tour, including a hotel room and food vouchers. All for little ole me.
Only, I don’t know if that’s what I want anymore. Boston is across the dang world. At least, that’s what it feels like.
Once there, I can’t just drive down to visit my father when needed. When I thought our relationship could never be repaired, I didn’t visit. I stuck my nose in my research and ignored the world. Now, though? We’re at least on speaking terms, and I might fix what was broken between us. But I can’t do that from Boston—a million miles away.
Can I?
I huff, pushing back from the desk in my bedroom. Gently, I close my laptop, filing the email away for later. For now. The last thing I want to think about before going to our high school reunion tonight is this big decision weighing me down.
Do I stay? Do I go? Do I take a chance on something that could blow up in my face? Again. The possibilities are an endless list of things that could go right and wrong.
I pick through the clothes lying on my bed, opting for a casual black top hanging off my shoulders and a pair of dark jeans. I hum, pairing them with simple flats.
“You look like someone ate your puppy,” Jesse murmurs, wandering into my room with a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets cascade down his chiseled chest, dropping to the carpet.
Why does he have to look like that? Seriously! He’s like a dang God standing in the hallway, ready for the taking. So, freaking delectable. My tongue aches to run over his stomach and take him into my mouth. In fact, it practically waters with the visions of our last few days together.
Sheesh. I have to snap out of this sex coma he has me in. Whenever he’s around, my body instantly reacts to him like a damn addict. Maybe that’s what I am now—a Jesse-aholic.
Ugh. I’m so screwed. This makes everything ten times harder.
I wrinkle my nose, internally debating on what to say. I could tell him about the email. Or I could simply keep it to myself until I’ve decided. He and I are still in this weird new phase of our relationship. Friends? Lovers? I don’t know yet. Should I even be planning something so big between us? My body says yes, but my mind—the more rational of the two—has me teetering on the edge of indecision.
“Just a lot on my mind,” I murmur, sighing when he wraps me in an embrace from behind.
“I know you do. But you got this, Tulip. You’re the smartest girl I know. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll succeed. Have you mentioned this to Olivia? I’m sure she would have some advice for you.”
Ah, my best friend. She would. She’d tell me to stop wasting my life and go and grab what I want by the balls.
Whatever that is.
My heart gallops in my chest. Since I told him I lost my job a few days ago, he’s done everything in his power to take my mind off the situation. He gleefully showed me around his domain in Prembrook, took me out for lunch, and then made me dinner and dessert later that night. Even when I mentioned a possible, maybe not possible, offer from Boston, he’s been lifting me out of my darkness.
He's the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I don’t know what to do, Jesse,” I murmur, shivering when his lips ghost over my neck.
Frick. I’m melting in his embrace. Soon I’ll be a little Blake puddle on the ground, completely wrapped up in him.
“Don’t decide now, Tulip. Let’s just enjoy this weekend. Okay? Live for today.” He grins against my flesh and pulls away, taking his warmth.
“Okay.” Live for today. I can do that. Right?
I may be able to do that without overthinking everything I need to do. Unemployment. Possibly moving. Crap. Definitely moving. There’s no way I can stay in my expensive apartment and afford it without my university salary. That city is way too expensive to live by myself on a nothing salary. And the big one—falling in love.
There are so many things running through my mind it hurts my brain. I wince, rubbing my temple, willing the headache forming to go away.
“Now, get dressed. We’re going to be late for this reunion.” He grins when I whip around, folding my arms over my chest. As much as I want to reunite with Olivia, I’m still hesitant to step foot in the same room as the people who made my best friend’s life hell. They weren’t easy on me, either. But I knew how to stand up to them when I could. “Ah. You’re still unsure. I promise to be on my best behavior. I mean, I might claim you in front of the whole student body.” I stiffen when he grins, exposing his teeth, chuckling so low the vibrations go straight through me.
