Chapter 32
I leave Reid in his office and walk to the restroom to compose myself. My mind is reeling. His explanation reframes so many interactions that have kept me guessing all these months. He’s right that his reasons don’t excuse his actions, but at least now I understand.
As much as I don’t want to want him—he’s the only thing that I want.
I should keep him on the edge, make him sweat it out. But I won’t. Call me weak. Call me a stupid girl. But I’m not going to punish the man—we’ve both suffered enough for ten lifetimes. But I’ll sure as hell be guarding my heart and proceeding with caution.
Despite our therapy session this morning, there's still work to be done. The sooner things get back to routine, the better. It’ll take time for me to heal, but it will only delay the inevitable. Because Reid and I are inevitable.
I walk back to Reid’s office, but he isn’t there.
I notice his coat missing from its hook and wander to the lobby where I find him.
Why does he have to be so goddamn handsome?
He gives me a small smile and I avert my eyes, so I don’t burst into a ball of flames.
It’s then that I see my pink canvas coat held in his strong hand.
“How do you feel about talkin’ about the schedule over a couple of Greasy Spoons and Cherry Pepsi’s?”
This man. I can’t hide my smile. “I feel really good about it.”
We're neck and neck finishing our ridiculously large breakfasts. Comfort food is exactly what I needed.
“You know, for everything you’ve apologized for today, I owe you an apology as well.”
“You don’t owe me nothin’, sugar. Not a damn thing,” he counters.
“I do. I’m sorry for doubting you and thinking the worst. You deserve as much understanding and acceptance as you’ve shown me.
I’ve never told anyone about what happened to me in high school.
And you believed me without hesitation. You weren’t disgusted with me, and you didn’t think I was broken.
I’d like for us to turn a new page and be better from here forward.
Not only for each other, but for ourselves. ”
I offer my hand for a handshake and after his quizzical eyes make their decision, he takes my hand. “Deal.”
The day proceeds like a typical Monday. We follow up on outstanding projects and plan for the next properties on the schedule so we can take off on Wednesday to hit a smattering of condos.
Mainly, we make sure everything is going smoothly—Reid does maintenance, and I send out customer satisfaction surveys. I developed them a few weeks into my new job and the results have been helpful for management.
Our days are long, and our nights are short. For three days we drive, eat, work, eat, sleep, repeat. Things feel casual between Reid and I, and I'm grateful to be standing on even footing. We're driving back on Friday afternoon when Reid catches me off guard.
“I should have mentioned it sooner, but this weekend is my niece Harper’s birthday and we’re having a big party out at the ranch for her whole class.” He looks over at me cautiously. “Would you want to come?”
I'm dumbfounded. “You want me to come to a family birthday party? Why?”
“I want to spend more time with you outside of work and I’d like you to meet my family. They’re great people and I think you deserve more great people in your life.” He says it simply, like it’s obvious.
“Your friend Olivia will be there, being Harper’s aunt. Biological aunt. James and I are honorary uncles since Greyson was an extra Andersen brother growing up. My family’s always treated him and Harper as our own.” I’ve never felt love like that before. I can’t even fathom it.
“I don’t know, Reid,” I hedge.
“You can invite your sister if it makes you more comfortable. Quincy’s still Harper’s aunt, even if Sam’s not here anymore. Her brother Connor’s part of the family too. He’ll be there.”
“Oh, yes. I know Connie,” I say with fake sweetness.
“Connie?” Reid asks, jaw ticking.
“That’s what I call Connor. He and I have history.
He’s been trying to steal Delilah from me since elementary school.
He’s always been there for us. He’d give me the shirt off his back if I asked.
” Reid must not sense the snark in my tone because his teeth are grinding in a way no dentist would approve of.
“Is that hoodie his?” Reid is seething. What's he even talking about?
“What hoodie?”
He cracks his neck. “The grey hoodie you wear all the time that’s way too big for you. Because it’s a men’s hoodie?”
“And what was your question about it? It’s my favorite hoodie.”
“Did Connor give it to you?” he bites out.
I can’t believe it. He’s jealous.
I make him wait. I look out the windows. I take sips of my drink.
“If Connor were giving away clothing, it would be to my sister, not me. I’d be more likely to shred something of his with scissors or drive over it with my car. Connor is like the world’s most annoying brother.” I smile at him sweetly. “I got that hoodie at a thrift store years ago.”
His relief is palpable. To know he was even the tiniest bit jealous makes me giddy. No one has ever been jealous over me before, and I might be immature, but it feels really freaking good.
“How long have you been wanting to ask me about it?” I tease lightly.
“Since the first fucking time I saw you in it. I wondered what man was lucky enough to have you wearing his clothes,” he admits, voice low and rough.
He seems angry—at himself, probably, for letting something so vulnerable slip. He’s been dying to ask that question for months. It would be comical, a hoodie causing him so much distress, if it didn’t mean something far deeper for both of us.
My fingers trace the seam of my pink jacket, slow and deliberate—my pulse pounding as I wait for Reid to meet my eyes.
“The first and only man to ever dress me, is you.”