Page 74 of Unpredictable
“So, here’s the real question,” Lauren said, leaning in. “How does he feel about the sticky notes?”
“Or have you not put them up on the mirror yet?” Harper teased.
I ran a hand through my hair, the strands brushing against my back. “I did put them up—I only have three right now. But I find a new note on the mirror every morning from him. Sometimes it’s an inspirational quote or a compliment.”
“Aww.” Harper held a hand to her heart. “That’s so romantic.”
“I thought we might have a bumpy adjustment. I mean—he’s been a bachelor for so long, but…” I lifted a shoulder. “It’s been great.”
“And the sex?” Leave it to Lauren to ask.
“Ah-mazing,” I said. “A few weeks ago, he took me in a hotel storage room.”
My cheeks heated at my admission. I couldn’t believe I’d done that, let alone confessed to it. Alexis and Harper gaped at me, and Lauren merely smirked.
“The thrill of being caught makes things even hotter,” Lauren said with a far-off look in her eye.
“You all right there?” Harper teased, and Lauren started fanning herself. She’d always been the most sexually adventurous of the four of us.
Lauren shook her head as if to clear it. “Yep.” She swallowed then grabbed the champagne from Harper to take a swig. “I’m good.”
“It was hot, but—” I scrunched up my face.
“But what?” Alexis asked.
“Well…sneaking around is fun and all, but we’re living together. And we still haven’t told anyone about us.” I dipped my head.
Lauren patted my hand. “You told us. That’s got to count for something, right?”
I nodded, but my heart wasn’t in it. “I guess.”
“I get it,” Alexis said. “Sneaking around can be fun, but it gets old.”
“I just… Do you think it’s weird that he hasn’t told his daughter about us? I mean, I’m living in his house. That’s going to be kind of difficult to hide when she comes back from London. He already has Connor lying for us.”
“The fiancé?” Lauren asked.
“Yeah. He came over one day—broke in to the house.”
“Wait. What?”
“No. No.” I waved my hands before me, laughter bubbling out of me. “That came out all wrong.” I explained what had happened. And when I was finished, the mood was decidedly different.
“Hmm.” Lauren crossed her arms over her chest. “Yeah. That’s weird.”
“Right?” I grabbed the bottle as the three of them nodded their agreement. “Thank you.” I lifted it before gulping down some.
“Though, as a parent,” Alexis said, “I get it. At least, to some degree.”
“Can you help me understand, then?” I asked, my tongue—like my limbs—feeling looser from the alcohol. “Because I’ve sold my house, moved in with this man. And it kind of feels like I’ve made all these changes—huge changes—but he still won’t tell his daughter about us.”
My eyes burned, and I tugged at the corners so I wouldn’t cry—again. “Is he ashamed of our relationship?”Of me.
I failed. Tears streaked down my cheeks, my face hot with embarrassment.
“Oh, honey,” Lauren said, scooting closer so she could wrap her arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure that’s not the case.”
I knew it wasn’t, but I was feeling overly emotional. Closing on the house, the letter from Ryan, the champagne—it was making it difficult to think clearly.
