Chapter 6 Audra
AUDRA
Irolled over to turn off my alarm and was surprised that I had even fallen asleep.
One Donovan Wright completely preoccupied my thoughts.
I embarrassed myself a couple of times last night with how loose-lipped I was, but he seemed to roll with some of the ridiculous things I was saying.
Heck, he even left off the night with a wink that sent my mind spinning about all the ways he’s ‘never had a complaint.’ Man, I bet he was a fucking God in bed …
I should have gone home with him, I laughed to myself.
Maybe I was ovulating or something because I was ready to jump into bed with anyone, apparently.
However, you’d have to be a fool not to want to jump into bed with Donovan.
Even Bennett said that he thought Donovan seemed like a ‘cool dude’ as he was getting me home.
He questioned me a little more because Bennett Connelly was a shameless gossip, and he wanted the scoop on what had gone down with Donovan and me after he left us alone.
Turns out, he had nothing to do in the back of the bar, he just wanted to give me a little space with him because he said he felt a ‘good vibe’ between us.
Bennett had so many more layers to him than most people saw.
He was probably the most perceptive person I knew.
Rushing through my morning routine and errands, I intended to show up at the office a little earlier than I said I would.
I was buzzed last night, and apparently horny, so maybe I was reading things wrong.
Maybe he was just looking for a friend. But a friend doesn’t drop an innuendo like that and wink at you, right?
Jesus, I’d been out of the game a long time.
No matter, I’d get a better read on things today when I was sober.
Maybe he’d hide in his office again as if we hadn’t flirted our way through the late-night hours.
Wavering on what to put on, I decided to just wear my scrubs.
He knew I was headed to work, and it might be strange if I showed up looking like I was trying too hard.
That didn’t stop me from putting a little curl in my hair and extra cute makeup on, though.
“Knock, knock!” I announced as I walked through the doors.
Maeve’s head shot up. “It’s 11:30? This day is flying!
Hello, my love!” She popped out of her chair to hug me and grabbed some things out of my hands.
“Sir Donovan is on the phone, so we have to be a little quiet. Is this all for me?” As she pulled out the containers, her eyes widened when she saw how much food was in the bags.
“Ugh, I am dreading each minute that passes by, and you are eagerly anticipating them,” I said. “But it’s only 11. I got here a little early. I figured you, me, and Donovan can eat, and then whatever is left, you and him can split to take home.”
“Psssh. What did he do to deserve this?”
I laughed. “I told him I’d bring him some last night.”
Maeve furrowed her brows and cocked her head to look at me funny. “Last night? When did you see Donovan?”
It felt like Maeve could see right through me, but I wasn’t ready to admit that I had an exceptional time last night and was looking forward to seeing him again today. He was hot as hell, made me giggle, and I felt fuzzy inside after both last night and the flower shop.
“He showed up at The Yard for a nightcap. I was there with Noelle and some of her friends.” I shrugged it off.
Maeve was expressive every day, but her utter confusion when I said he came to the bar was laughable.
“Oh my god,” I continued, “I have to tell you about my night, though. Bennett gave me a massive save. I was itching to go home with someone and started making out with a very handsome and forward man on the dance floor. But when we went outside to wait for a car, Bennett came out and told the guy to get my number and not to be a dick. After the stranger programmed his number in and left, Bennett informed me the guy’s name was Harold, and he was a two-pump chump… ”
“Noooooo,” she howled as she cut me off.
“Holy shit, you were going to hook up with Harold?! How did you not know who he was? The single only thing that could get me to shift gears from Donovan being at the bar is for you to tell me you made out with Harold.” She pulled out her phone and shot off a group text.
Maeve
SOS. Audra needs to get laid. She almost went home with Harold.
Jules
That would have been a most disappointing night.
Audra
How do you guys know who Harold is? How do you know it’s the same Harold? How does everyone seem to know this guy sucks in bed? What am I missing?
I was saying everything out loud to Maeve as I was texting.
Maeve
We live in Savannah Springs, and someone named Harold has the nickname two pump-chump. The chances of him being someone else are very, very low. The question remaining, however, is how did you NOT know?
Jules
He had a massive glow-up. I bet you’d remember who he was if you saw a yearbook photo of him circa junior year, but Harry was a grade above us.
He’s totally hot now that he has gained muscles, a jawline, and great hair.
When you were in the hospital, he briefly ran with us, which is probably why we have a better recollection of him.
Audra
Wait. HAROLD SKINTER?! Like bean pole SKINTER?! Ohmygod. How did he not know me?!
Maeve
Audra’s here at the office. This is what she looks like.
Maeve snapped a photo of me with my hand over my mouth and eyes as wide as saucers and sent it to the group.
Audra
You’re an asshole for that, Maeve. In my defense, he looks quite a bit different. But eek. I made out with Harold Skinter. FML.
Cora
Oh, I bet he knew exactly who you were and was purposely being shady by not disclosing that he did.
Audra isn’t exactly a common name and it’s not like you look way different.
I haven’t seen him, much less thought about him, in years, but I’m damn curious now.
I’m totally going to creep on him to see what he looks like these days. Was the kiss good?
Audra
I mean, I was buzzed, but nothing about it screamed bad lay.
Jules
We don’t want mediocre sex, Audra. We want mind-blowing orgasms.
Audra
I don’t know. I can’t separate what I know now from what I can speculate. Now, I almost want to try it out so I can judge it.
Maeve
Normally, I say take one for the team, and science, and all that, but in this case … don’t.
Audra
Was this a nickname he got in high school and just never shook off? I mean, a teenage beanpole boy Harold might differ from square-jawed, muscle-man Harold. What a terrible nickname to have. Poor Harry.
Jules
The situation hasn’t improved.
Cora
Jules. JULES. JULIETTE JUNIPER HADLEY (If I could make the letters even bigger, I would) … DID YOU SLEEP WITH HAROLD SKINTER?!
Jules
No, thank freaking God. One of my college friends did last year when we were in town visiting.
She said it was … and I quote … the single most disappointing night of her life.
I think she expected him to take charge and be all alpha with all his muscles, and he literally came after like 45 seconds into sex without any additional foreplay.
He didn’t even finish her off. It’s not just a clever nickname.
Audra
Christ. Well … get back to your day. Send sympathies to me because I will have to let him down via text. Send sympathies to Harold, too. I wonder if he knows how people talk about him.
Jules
He has to know he sucks.
Cora
Bye, guys!
Maeve and I were laughing so hard we were crying.
We made such a ruckus that Donovan opened his office door and glared at us.
That should have stopped us, but it had the opposite effect.
The scowl he shot our way transformed us into two middle schoolers who had just been reprimanded.
We both put our heads down and tried to stop, but it just made our shoulders shake. We couldn’t get it under control.
When I finally looked up and took him in, my insides churned.
This man was the definition of suit porn.
Who wore a suit like that to this small-town two-person office?
Donovan Wright. And he looked so damn good.
The pinstripe jacket fit perfectly over his broad shoulders, and his crisp baby blue shirt accentuated his tan skin, looking so good against that dirty blond hair.
“What in God’s name is going on out here?” He tried to keep his face as stern as the one he walked out with, but he couldn’t do it. “I don’t even know what I’m laughing about right now, but the two of you laughing like this is contagious and quite loud, I might add.”
“Wait, I have a bone to pick with you, Wright,” Maeve said, as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Meeting one of my besties at a bar last night?”
“I didn’t know she was there. I left here at midnight and needed a nightcap. But I hear there is a feast to be had today.”
My heart took a tiny hit. Maybe there was a tiny part of me that hoped he sought me out. Realistically, there was no way for him to know I was at The Yard last night, though. Fool. I’d better get those kinds of thoughts under control, stat.
Reaching into my bag, I pulled out a tablecloth, plates, flowers, and candles.
“You didn’t,” he smirked, one side of his lip ticking up.
“Oh, but I did,” I gushed back at him. “Prepare to be dazzled. These are beautiful, by the way. Thank you,” I gestured to the flowers. I half forgot that Maeve was in the room with us, and I caught her narrow her eyes to look between him and me again.
“What is going on here? What am I missing? What are you doing?”
Oh, I wish I knew, Maeve.
“And why are you thanking him for flowers?” She questioned with narrowed eyes.