Page 482 of One More Kiss

VADA

“Vada!”I hear Olivia calling my name, but I roll over and ignore it, pleading for just ten more minutes of sleep. “Vada, I know you can hear me.” Her tone is accusing and harsh.

“Go away,” I mumble, covering my head with the pillow.

“You cannot just lie in bed all morning,” she tells me, but I beg to differ. I’m exhausted and her being in here isn’t helping.

“Yes, I can,” I retort. “I’ll skip breakfast and shower in a half hour. Now turn off the light.”

“Nice try.” I feel her rustling around, and soon the covers are whipped off me.

“Hey!” I shriek, quickly trying to cover myself up, but she’s too fast. “I could’ve been naked under here.”

“Considering you’re on the phone until three a.m., I’m actually surprised you aren’t.”

“Ha-ha,” I mock. “I was too tired for phone sex last night, so the joke’s on you.”

“Yeah, clearly.” She rolls her eyes. “Now c’mon. You need to stay on your schedule.” She slaps my ass, and I shriek.

“Okay, God. I’m up.” I sit up and stretch against the headboard.

“Good. Another flower bouquet was delivered this morning.” She points to the vase of red and white roses. “You two are sickening, by the way.”

I burst out laughing, smiling at the gorgeous view. Sliding out of bed, I walk to the table they’re on and pull out the card.

To my Vada,

When I think about what the future holds for us, I grin like an absolute idiot. But then again, how could I not when I know you’re The One.

Good luck today—you’re going to kill it!

Love you,

Ethan

I press the card to my chest and sigh.

“We get it,” Olivia’s words snap me out of my dreamy haze as she yanks the card out of my fingers and sets it back down. “Breakfast. Shower. Dress. Go.”

I pout and scowl at her for ruining my moment. Girl needs to get laid or something. Geez.

My publisher has arranged for a podcast interview this morning and then another meet-n-greet before the book signing later this afternoon. It’s another busy day, but I don’t mind. The busier, the better so I can keep my mind occupied.

Ethan’s been sending me flowers to every hotel we stay at since I left a couple weeks ago. He sends them with the sweetest of notes, too, and I find myself anxiously waiting for them. They’re the only thing connecting us right now when the phone calls and text messages aren’t enough.

Though the thought of uprooting everything I’ve ever known in Chicago still gives me anxiety, I know I’ll only be happy being with Ethan. I haven’t quite broken the news to Nora yet, which is something I need to do before it’s too late.

Once the day is over and I’m back in my hotel room, I decide it’s now or never.

Grabbing for my phone, I think about what I’m going to say before calling her.

“Your stupid cat got hair all over my favorite sweater,” she says immediately when picking up the call.

“Oliver doesn’t shed,” I protest. “Are you sure it wasn’t a different cat?”

“You think I have a parade of cats around here or something? It was yours,” she says matter-of-factly. I grin, knowing she secretly loves Oliver as much as I do.

“Well, I’m sure he’s very sorry. Plus, it’s not really his fault. I’m sure you were picking him up and loving on him, and that’s how he got hair on you.”

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