Chapter 11 #2
“Because we’re allowed to kick ass with all of it.”
We each clinked glasses, and I took a sip of the tart bubbly.
“So, are you going to tell us exactly why you’re looking so smug and nervous?” Scarlett asked. It took a moment to realize she was staring at me, as were the rest of them.
I quickly gulped the rest of my champagne and shook my head. “What? What do you mean?”
“Well, you’ve been a little busy for the past few days, and I’d love to know why,” one of my best friends teased, and I glared at her and Ivy. Luna looked as confused as Dorian’s sisters did, and I wasn’t sure what the hell I was supposed to say in that moment.
Because I wasn’t about to tell everybody that I had slept with Dorian.
Right?
But this was girl time, maybe I should at least say something? Or hide underneath the table.
“Nothing. I’ve just had a long day. Long week,” I corrected.
Scarlett narrowed her gaze, and opened her mouth to say something, before she stood up abruptly.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back. I have something to deal with.”
Before I could say anything or thank her for leaving me a moment to think, she stomped off, and we all turned to see the object of her ire.
Hudson stood in the corner, growling with Scarlett’s boyfriend, Ronan.
“What on earth is that about?” Luna asked of her twin.
I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
“There seems to be a lot of secrets going on around here,” Ivy said as she stared at me, and I quickly reached for my water.
I wasn’t about to talk to the girls about what happened.
Not until I had answers. Or at least had spoken to Dorian first. What’s the secret?
Were we telling his family? I had no idea what I was supposed to say.
After all, telling the family you were dating someone was usually a big deal.
Except for the fact that I was already so entwined with his family, this made everything more complicated.
Thankfully before I had to deal with any answers, the waiter came by, and we ordered a few appetizers to share.
The subject changed to Isabella’s current job, as well as Sophia’s kids. Luna and Ivy went on a long discussion about Ivy’s next project, and when Scarlett came back, she didn’t say anything, except her face had paled other than her reddened cheeks.
Luna just squeezed her hand, and Scarlett shook her head. So there would be no questions on that front. And I understood. Because I didn’t want any questions on mine either.
By the time I got home, my head ached, and I’d only had a small glass of champagne.
And Dorian still hadn’t texted.
“I’m going to have to call him and annoy him later,” I whispered to Lucky as we took our evening walk.
Then my phone buzzed.
I quickly answered the call, realizing I’d probably answered too quickly. “Hey there,” I said as I let out a breath.
Dorian’s rough chuckle filled my ears. “Sorry I didn’t call you right away. There were a few issues to handle with the lawyer, and well, it’s been a long fucking day. You sound like you’re outside? Are you okay?”
Warmth spread through me, and I tried not to lean too much into whatever I was feeling. Because this man could hurt me more than anything, and we both knew it.
“I’m just outside walking Lucky. I’ll be inside soon.”
“Be safe, okay?”
“I am.”
An awkward silence settled in, before I finally cleared my throat. “Are we telling anyone? I mean I just had dinner with two of your sisters, and I didn’t say anything, and now I feel weird. Because they’re my friends, as are my other friends in town, and I just, well, I don’t know what to say.”
“Wellesley, baby. You can tell anyone you want. Just warn me if you tell any of my brothers in case they want to throw fists.”
“They’re not going to hit you.”
“Oh, they will. Because I’m defiling Joshua’s little sister.”
“Don’t make it weird.”
“I’m remembering exactly how I defiled you right before you left my house. So, not too weird. I have a hard-on, but I digress.”
I burst out laughing, as Lucky danced in front of me.
“Okay.”
“Stop thinking too hard. That’s my job.”
“You’re right. You usually are the annoying one who thinks too hard.”
“Ouch. I’ll have to spank you later for that.”
I pressed my thighs together, annoyed that this man could turn me on with just his voice.
“So. I need to go to Denver.”
Reality crashed in, and I tried not to let disappointment settle over my tongue.
“Oh. Well that makes sense. You have a lot of businesses to deal with. Do you know when you’ll be home?”
“It should only take a couple of days, but Wells? Do you think you can come with me?”
Elation slithered into me, but I tried not to latch on to that.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to look at the schedule, this isn’t a lot of notice. And I’m the owner. I have to be responsible.”
“I know. I’ll help with whatever I can. It won’t be too long, and frankly I can make my own schedule. I know you get a full day off, so if we work around your schedule, you won’t have to take off too much time or find too many replacements. We’ll make it work with you, okay? I just want you there.”
My lips formed into a small smile, and I told myself that I was thinking too hard yet again. Because Dorian wanted me.
And why did I feel like that might be one of the most connected and irrational feelings circling me?
“I’ll try.”
“I want to show you my Denver. My life down south.”
Reality settled in once again. Because Dorian did not live here. And my home was Cage Lake. My business, my friends. My life.
Dorian wasn’t permanent.
I had to remember that. We hadn’t promised forever. We had just promised honesty.
I swallowed hard and let out a breath.
“I’ll try. I’d love to go.”
“Good. I want to come over tonight, but I know you have to work early. I’ll see you tomorrow at the bakery though? I promise not to be gone for too long again.”
“Well, if I know you’re going to be there, I guess I need to make your favorite Danish.”
“Okay, dating a baker who knows all of my favorite things is going to be hard on my workout routines.”
He laughed as he said it, and I couldn’t help but cling to the word dating.
I was so far out of my depth, but I was just going to ride whatever this was.
Thinking too hard would only break me in the end.
“So, what are you wearing?” he asked, his voice low.
And when I burst out laughing, and followed Lucky back into my apartment, I smiled.
I may not know what I was doing, but I was going to live in the moment.
And when Dorian left, because he would have to, I wouldn’t break. Because I had set my own expectations.
And apparently when I said honesty was how I was going to work with Dorian, I only meant between him and me. Because I was sure as hell lying to myself.