Chapter 19 #3
We’d successfully cleaned up and made it back into his bedroom, me lying on my back while he rolled into my side, his flaccid cock pressed against my thigh and his cheek resting against my shoulder.
I stared at his ceiling and the texture in the plaster.
“When do you think your mom will have her lawyer look at your trust paperwork?” Would he talk about it?
“I don’t know. She reviewed it herself today, but she had plans to drop it off with him tomorrow morning.” He skimmed his hand across my chest.
“When you meet with the attorney, do you want me there?” I was sure he’d need support. But maybe this was family business—
“Yes, I want you there. My mom might be emotional about it, and you’re so level-headed. Plus, I don’t want to explain it all to you. I think it’s better if you hear it firsthand with me.” He kissed my chest.
“Okay, then let me know and I’ll be there.
” I hugged his head against my chest, freeing a long breath.
We’d planned on splitting our time between houses for Christmas, and I still had to get him a present.
Hell, I didn’t know what to get him. “So, on Christmas Day we’ll meet here first and then proceed to my house? ”
“Yes, that’s the plan. And on Christmas Eve we’ll start at your house and then come to my house.” A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “It sounds complicated, doesn’t it?”
“Naw, we can handle it.” I kissed his hair. It was getting late. “I should head home now.”
“Okay.” He climbed off me and from the bed and then threw a robe on from his closet.
I stepped out of bed and dressed. We’d have to creep our way out. I still wasn’t sure what his mom would say if she found us.
As I pulled my flannel jacket on, he said, “Come on.” He opened the door and waved me over as he peeked through it. “We’re safe.”
The next day, I strolled with my sister through the downtown shops in one of the historic districts, all done up with Christmas decorations. I’d hoped she could help me with a present for Wren. This was important.
“What does he like?” She sipped from a pumpkin spice latte coffee cup, my bribe for getting her to go with me. Though I knew she wanted to spend time with me, anyway.
I gazed across the two-and three-story buildings, most sporting quaint old doors painted in a variety of colors. Ivy hung on some of the building’s bricks, and bare trees rose from the planters on the sidewalk.
“So, you want something special for Wren.” She stopped at a shop window with a mixture of bohemian clothing and home décor in it. “I take it you’re very serious about him?”
“I am.” I stopped next to her, our reflections in the window, her long dark hair falling to one side. She was wearing a thick, hooded sweatshirt, and yoga pants, while I wore my flannel jacket and jeans. “We confessed our love last night.” Should I tell her the entire story? Naw…
“You did?” Holding her coffee in both hands, she faced me. “You mean you hadn’t said it until now?” She sipped her coffee.
“No, it’s a long story. But we’re committed to each other. I want him with me in whatever city the draft puts me in.” We hadn’t discussed it yet, but it was true. I gauged her reaction. “He’s in school for marketing, so he can get a job anywhere.”
Her brows rose. “Yeah? Okay, that’s serious. Will you ask him to marry you then?”
“Uh…” Shit, should I? Not yet, it was too soon. I shifted my stance. “We’re not looking at wedding bands today.” I snickered.
“Why not?” With a soft scoff, she strolled along the sidewalk with me beside her. “Do you expect him to follow you around in your NFL career without being married?”
“I guess I hadn’t thought about it.” But I’d thought we were soulmates last night. “I’ll ask him at some point. If things work out.” Why wouldn’t they work out? What was my problem? Like everything with Wren, it was slow going. We were being careful this time around.
“Okay, so you want to buy something special for him, but not a ring.” She gave a curt nod.
“Uh, yes.” As we passed a jewelry store, I stopped. Should I? No, too soon. But I could buy a ring and use it later? No, I could buy a much better ring with my NFL signing bonus. “Let’s go in here.” I strolled into the store, and a bell chimed.
As she stepped inside after me, I halted and held a finger to her. “I’m not buying a wedding band yet, because I can afford a much better one after I get my NFL contract.” I straightened my shoulders. “Wren deserves the best.” Shit, now there’d be no way to push this idea from my head.
“That’s the spirit. So, get promise rings instead. Like a placeholder for the future.” She patted my arm and then grabbed me by the elbow, leading me to the glass counter with shiny gold and silver jewelry underneath.
“Can I help you?” A woman all in black asked.
“Yes…” With my pulse kicking, I perused the display. “I’m looking for promise rings, but for two men.”
“Oh, yes. How much do you want to spend?” The woman’s eyes lit.
“Not much. He’s still a poor college student.” Harper twisted her lips and then said, “Oh, those. Aren’t they cute?” She pointed at a set of silver rings with a simple twist in the band. “Not too expensive either. Just right.”
“Can I look at them?” I didn’t know what Wren’s ring size was. Shit, would his mother know? I could find her phone number on her real estate website. I tapped my lips and slid my phone from the pocket of my jacket. Yes, I’d do this.
After leaving the store with the silver rings I’d purchased and swearing Wren’s mother to secrecy, I worried my lower lip. Wren wouldn’t refuse the rings, would he? No, I was being silly.
“I’m so excited for you, Eli. Wren will be so happy.” She squeezed my forearm.
“Yeah.” I hoped so. My phone buzzed in my jacket pocket. “Hang on.” I slipped the phone out and looked at it. Speak of the devil. “Hey, babe, what’s up?”
“Hi, Eli. My mom set up a meeting with her attorney for four o’clock this afternoon. He’s had the paperwork since this morning.”
“Yeah? Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.” I’d be done with my shopping trip with Harper by then. Even if I weren’t, I wouldn’t miss this meeting.
“Okay, see you then.” He paused. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Love you.” As a grin teased my lips, I glanced at Harper, beaming back at me.
“Love you too. Bye.” The call ended. I’d drop off my sister and our Christmas presents at home before meeting Wren.