Chapter 20
“You what?” Summer shrieks.
I cover my ears.
“I stayed over at a guy’s house,” I repeat before dropping my hands and grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator and a bag of grapes. I’m hungrier than usual since my stay with Jeremy last night.
“Did you go all the way?”
I smile around my bottle as I sip.
“Filthy animal. I knew it,” Chelsea adds, walking into the kitchen and grabbing some cookies.
I grab one after a few more grapes. I’m going to train and then visit my parents before Jeremy picks me up at six tonight for dinner…then strip poker.
“I’m jealous of you girls. I would do anything for a single kiss right now.” Summer sulks.
“Not desperate, are you?” Chelsea teases. “Even though my relationship is so boring. I have to turn sex down with Bobby now.”
“No!” I shrill.
I couldn’t think of ever turning down Jeremy. If anything, I want more. I can’t get enough of him or the vision of him on his knees licking me while I lay on his bed this morning until I came. Then he took me into his shower, but he had to leave for an emergency call. There was a security threat at his Manhattan Hospital.
She nods. “Yup. It’s so forced. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“It’s not you. It’s him,” Summer snaps. She takes a seat with us at the table.
“If you’re not happy you should leave,” I add.
“I am happy,” she replies.
Her tone doesn’t convince any of us.
“Anyway, enough about me and my boring sex life. Tell us more about the mystery guy.”
“Okay, well, I got a text from a wrong number. His. We talked and he’s funny and easy on the eyes.”
“Ugh. He’s hot, isn’t he?” Summer asks.
“Very. Like way out of my league.”
“Pfft. He’s lucky to have you,” Chelsea argues.
I smile. “Thanks, Chels.”
“He”s crazy rich. His house is incredible,” I say.
“I get the feeling you’re already wanting to move in,” Summer says with a laugh.
“For his kitchen and bookshelves alone, yes. I can imagine cooking in it overlooking the city every day.”
“What does he do?” Chelsea asks, fascinated.
“Owns a chain of hospitals,” I say.
Summer whistles. “When’s he taking you out again?”
“This afternoon.”
“Damn girl. He’s not messing around,” Summer adds.
I laugh.
“Will you stay over again?” Chelsea asks.
I hesitate.
I want to…
“Probably,” I admit.
“I can’t wait for you to fill us in. Have you told your parents?”
“No, I’ll tell them today. I do feel guilty not spending my extra time with them.”
I take a bite of a cookie and chew it.
“They would want you happy. And by the look on your face, he makes you happy,” Summer says.
I smile stupidly. He does.
“I need to get dressed for the gym and I’ll be back. I’ll need your help with my date outfit.”
“I won’t be here, I’ll be out.” Chelsea winces.
I stand. “It’s okay, I can dress myself.”
“Hey. I’m here. I’d love to help,” Summer says.
Chelsea looks relieved. I lean over and grab her hand.
“Go out and have fun. You do plenty for me.” I wink.
“Send me a picture of your first date outfit,” Chelsea replies.
“Oh God, it really has been a long time since I went out on a first date,” I say with a stomach full of butterflies.
I step through the door of my childhood home, finding my mom and dad in the living room. Dad is fast asleep and Mom is watching a daytime soap. I lower the roses to the counter as I swap last week’s out for this week’s.
I’m exhausted after boxing. Jeremy seems to lift all aspects of my life. So I take a seat on the sofa and message him.
Nova: Who knew I could train better after being with you.
Jeremy: Looks like my presence extends beyond a board room. Who knew I was also a secret fitness guru with a monster dick?
Nova:Maybe it’s the fear of not keeping up. Survival instincts, you know?
Jeremy:You keep up just fine. We could repeat?
Nova: I can”t, I”m at my parents.
Jeremy: Say hi for me.
Nova:You think I’m going to tell them about you?
Jeremy:Oh. Am I secret fuck buddy?
Nova:No. Of course not.
Jeremy:Then why not tell them?
Nova: Will you tell your family?
Jeremy:Yeah, I will tell my family.
I know I said I don’t have time for a relationship, but he makes me happy and forget about the hard days. I’m just seeing where this goes.
Nova:I was going to tell them today.
Jeremy:Fair enough. But please don’t tell them I’m packing. (A monster dick)
Nova:Oh God. I’m going. See you soon.
Jeremy:Can’t wait.
I tuck my phone away and find my mom watching me.
“Who are you texting?” she asks.
Here goes.
“Um. A guy.”
Why is it so hard to tell your parents even as a damn adult.
Her face transforms. “Oh. Tell me more.”
Her excitement adds to my nerves.
“Let me make some tea and I’ll tell you. I don’t want to wake Dad. You can tell him when he wakes up.”
“You’re fine with him knowing?” Mom asks.
I shrug. “Yeah. You guys know everything.”
Mom walks over to me with a warm smile and hugs me.
“My sweet daughter,” she whispers into my hair as if I’m still a child.
We pull apart and I smile.
We walk to the kitchen. I make tea and she pulls out the cake she made for the week.
“Looks good, what did you make this week?”
“Lemon cake,” she replies, placing a piece on a plate. She pushes it over to the counter where stools sit underneath. I put our cups of tea beside the places. We take our seats and eat.
“So good.”
“You always did like my lemon cake.”
I sip some tea, preparing myself to deliver the news.
“So I’m going on a date.”
“Where to?”
“He’s surprising me. He’s picking me up at four.”
She cradles her cup in her hand.
“I love that element of surprise. Most guys don’t do the old-fashioned thing anymore.”
Well, we definitely didn’t since we had sex before getting married, but I don’t dare tell her that. I share almost everything. Some things, like my bedroom activity, are not a topic of discussion with my parents. Friends, yes, my parents, no.
“He is a gentleman. I’ve just started to get to know him.”
“Well, I hope your date goes well and then maybe your dad and I can meet him.”
I sip my tea as I stay silent and think about Grant”s warning. Is Jeremy too good to be true?
After visiting my parents, I get home and pull my wardrobe apart.
I already have a vision in my head of a sleek, brown dress I own. It”s made of silk. It’s so soft and feminine.
I think it complements my brown hair and curves nicely, but for confirmation, I need Summer’s opinion. So I get dressed, style my hair, pop a little bit of mascara, bronzer and lipstick on.
“Summer?” I call out as I walk out of my room.
“Yeah.” She calls back. “Come here, I”m in the living room.”
I walk slowly over in my heels, deciding on comfortable over sexy. They”re still strappy but they”ve got a lower heel than my other stilettos.
She whistles as soon as I enter the room.
I laugh. “So I take it this is alright?”
“All right?” she says. “This is hot. He’s going to love it. The dress is so flowy that it highlights your hourglass figure perfectly.”
“Thanks.” I run my hands over my hips and peer down with a smile.
I like this dress. I”m so glad I decided to wear it tonight. I feel really good in it.
I grab my bag out of my room and throw my lipstick and my phone inside. Now I’m all set to go. I checked the time and it”s ten to four. Only ten minutes and he”ll be here.
Now nerves swarm my belly.
A knock at the door sounds, and my eyes widen. I look at Summer with a giddy smile. She jumps up and down and grabs my hands.
“Are you ready?” she whispers.
I nod frantically. “Yes. You sound more excited than I am.”
“I”m thrilled for you. I hope you have the best night. I can”t wait to meet him.”
I pull her in for a hug. “Thanks so much.”
We separate and I take a deep breath and put a jacket on.
She smiles and waves.
I wave and pull open the door, surprised not to see Jeremy.
“Oh, hello,” I say to the short, gray-haired man standing at the door with a beautiful smile.
“Hello, Miss Lee?”
“Yes, that”s me,” I say, closing the door behind me.
“Mr. Lincoln is running a little late. He had to stay back at work. He told me to escort you to the restaurant and he”ll meet you there. I hope that”s okay.”
“Of course.”
But really. What else can I say? No and go back inside and not go on the date? He has a really important job to do. I understand that.
I smile. “What was your name?”
“Oh sorry, Miss Lee. I never introduced myself. My error. My name is Terry.”
“It”s lovely to meet you, Terry.”
We take the stairs down to a black car that”s waiting.
I can’t help the way my stomach feels heavy after being excited to see Jeremy, only for him not to be here waiting for me. “How far is the restaurant?”
“Thirty minutes.”
It’ll be the longest drive.
All the windows are tinted black. Terry opens the door and I slip in the back.
I pause in the leather seat when I spot a bunch of red roses and a card.
“Are these for me?” I ask, before the door closes.
“Yes, Mam. From Mr. Lincoln.”
How did he know I love red roses?
I fasten my seat belt and grab the card, the heaviness replaced by flutters again.
Sorry I didn’t pick you up. I had to work late. I’ll make it up to you soon, Remy.
I pull out my phone and text him.
Nova: I’ll see you soon. Thanks for the roses.