Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
SIMON
T he rest of the week went by in a flash. I worked hard on my own clients in between and I tried my best to be present at my own offices whenever I didn’t strictly need to be at Fit Gal, but I found myself looking forward to every day I got to spend working with Abigail. Of course, that didn’t excuse me from my duties in my father’s companies, but it was a welcome reprieve whenever I got to leave to be with her.
The prospect of spending time with her in Florida without either of us having to race off to our own homes or offices was so good, it made me semi-hard simply thinking about it. Early tomorrow morning, it would be me, her, and sunshine and beaches—and the expo—but we’d be going there together every day too.
After zipping a suit into its custom-made travel bag, I grinned and picked up my phone, typing out a quick text to her. It was absurd how often I thought about her these days, and now that I felt like I could reach out whenever I wanted to, it was equally absurd how often I gave into that urge.
Me: How many bikinis have you packed?
Abigail: Ha. We’re going for work. It might be Florida, but I doubt they spend all their time in swimwear.
Me: They might not, but you could. Just saying, I’d be okay with that.
Abigail: So you’re not packing any shirts then, right? ;-)
Me: Say the word and I’ll take them all out right now.
Abigail: Sorry to be a killjoy, but I suggest we remain properly dressed during working hours.
Me: Downtime?
Abigail: LOL. I don’t even know if we’ll have any of that, but sure. I’ll pack a swimsuit in case. Gotta run for now, though. Need to go pick up some last minute things.
Me: I actually need to do the same. Somehow, I’m out of toothpaste. Do you want to grab some tacos for dinner and go to the mall together after?
Abigail: Only if you’re driving
Me: I’m on my way
I’d been studying a tray of watches in my walk-in closet, trying to decide which to take with me, but I turned my back on them, deciding I could finish packing later. On my way to my front door, overhead lights lit up as they sensed me coming, staying on for a couple minutes until I was way out of their range.
When I reached my door, I grabbed my keys off the hook hidden in an automated nook in the wall and headed out, activating my security system by pressing a hand against the scanner before I left. I used to love how high-tech the penthouse was. It’d come with every bell and whistle, and I had IT support on-call for everything from my fridge to doors.
As I strode down the hall to the elevator, I wondered what life would look like if Abi and I ever gave things another shot. Would she leave her warm, cozy brownstone to move in here? Would we buy a different place entirely, maybe a house in the suburbs like Benny’s? Does it even really matter where we live?
Right now, it didn’t feel like it should’ve mattered, but I already knew that when and if the time came, it would. Both of us would have to be really careful and really clear about our expectations, but that was even more true for me.
I’d hurt her so badly once before, and while this wasn’t something I was very familiar with, I was going to have to learn how to compromise. My lips twisted at the thought, but I breathed through the rush of uncertainty that followed.
If I wanted her in my life, that made her mine to protect—even from myself. That was a responsibility I couldn’t fail at again.
When I pulled into Abi’s driveway, the sun was setting on the horizon and her neat front garden was bathed in a warm glow. It was a stark contrast to the ultra-modern and sleek penthouse I’d just left behind, but before I could contemplate which place I’d prefer, the door opened and she came out.
She must’ve been waiting for me, but I couldn’t focus on that either. All because Abigail Walker was wearing my favorite jeans and a baby tee. This girl could buy any outfit she wanted, yet she totally rocked something so simple. After working with her for these last few weeks, I knew she had a closet full of designer wear and the fact she’d chosen to dress similarly to the way she had in high school did things to me. It did all the things to me, actually.
I used to love her in clothes just like that and it turned out that I still did. Abi locked up and smiled as she met my gaze through the window, and I suddenly realized that my mouth had literally dropped open and I was now just sitting there, staring at her like a fool.
Clearing my throat, I shook myself out of it and climbed out. Folding my forearms on the roof of my car, I watched her approach. She walked with deliberate strides, a casual, brown leather cross-body bag on her shoulder, but to me, she might as well have been a supermodel on a catwalk.
God, she’s gorgeous.
All that light brown hair was loose, kept away from her face with a skinny white headband that sparkled a little bit whenever she walked through a pool of soft sunlight. My mouth dried up, my heart racing as my palms got clammy.
Shit, that never happens to me.
But I drummed my fingers on the warm metal and grinned as I gave her a slow, obvious onceover. “You look beautiful, Abi.”
“Oh, in these old things?” she teased lightly, winking as she reached for the passenger door handle. “Yeah, you always loved the Levi’s.”
Smiling, she pumped her eyebrows at me and climbed in, leaving me shaking my head and wondering if she knew what seeing her dressed like that did to me. All the memories it brought up and the way it affected my instincts to let loose my inner caveman.
If I had been even a touch less civilized, I would have tossed her over my shoulder and grunted my way through making her mine once and for all. Instead, I climbed into the car and glanced at her as I turned over the engine.
“How do you still have those jeans? Are they really the same ones?” They certainly looked that way, low-rise and washed out, so soft that it seemed they might just tear if she dared move too much in them.
She ran her palms over the denim on her thighs and shrugged. “I find that if you take good care of things, they tend to last, but yes. They’re the same ones.”
“Wow, that’s dedication.” I backed out of my parking spot and waited for a gap in the traffic. Then I pulled out and pointed the car in the direction of the taco place near the mall. “Does that mean you still have the red bikini I gave you when we were juniors?”
Her cheeks flushed a faint pink and I smirked. The bikini in question had been a gift from me after I’d nearly fainted when she’d tried it on. With mere scraps of fabric covering what had to be covered, it’d been the most risqué swimsuit she’d owned and it’d driven me nuts every time she’d worn it.
Instead of answering my question, she turned to face me and started poking fun about the fact that I’d invited her to the store, which told me she probably did still have it. The thought made my heart pound and my own jeans—much newer than hers—fit a little tighter.
“You just can’t get enough of me, can you?” she joked, eyes smiling as she rested her head against the seat, her body angled toward me. “Wanting to hang out tonight before you’re stuck with me for a whole week? I really could have run to the store by myself. I just want to pick up a few new outfit and some basics.”
I laughed. “Don’t read into it, Abs. I just wanted to approve of any clothes you buy. There’s no way I’m being seen with someone with no fashion sense. It’s bad for my reputation.”
She smacked my arm, scoffing down a chuckle as she narrowed her eyes at me. “You won’t be approving or disapproving of anything. You don’t own me.”
I winked at her. “I like this feisty side of you. It’s hot, but let’s be honest, I don’t need to own you to give good advice.”
“True, but if it’s only advice, that means I’m under no obligation to take it.” She flashed me a smug grin and I sighed, pretending to be injured by the idea that she wouldn’t listen to my suggestions.
We bantered back and forth all the way to the taco place, grabbing a small plastic table in front of the food truck after getting our food. Abi’s bright blue eyes were happy and relaxed. They practically twinkled under the colorful string lights on the awning above.
“I can’t believe you remembered about this place,” she said, smiling. She looked around the stand where we’d spent hours as teenagers. “I also can’t believe I haven’t been here for so long.”
“You haven’t? Why not? It used to be your favorite.”
Some of the light flickered out in her eyes. “Let’s not talk about that.”
“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea,” I agreed, but I wondered what else she’d given up after I’d left her that I could help her rediscover.
Abi inhaled deeply and then smirked at me, letting me know that she was okay with being back here and that she wasn’t going to let our history get in the way of her having fun now. “If you intend on picking outfits for me, does that mean I can choose some things for you? It would only be fair.”
I shrugged. “That depends on what you choose. I refuse to wear a mankini or cut-off shorts.”
“How very serious of you,” she teased. “I bet Ashley would love you in a neon pink mankini.”
“All the more reason not to get one,” I replied dryly, then chuckled as I shook my head. “I was going to find you a bikini that’s even smaller than the red one, but I just remembered Blake is going to be there too.”
“So?” She tilted her head at me, amusement dancing across her features as she tried to fight a smile. “It’s so cute that you’re jealous.”
“And yet, if looks could kill, Ashley would’ve been twelve feet under by now.”
“It’s six feet under,” she said.
I chuckled. “Nah. In this case, it definitely would’ve been twelve feet.”
Abi chewed and swallowed the bite she’d taken of her taco before she shrugged. “I’m not jealous. I’m just concerned that she’s not being entirely fair in terms of the competition. If she wanted it to be a contest for her heart, she should’ve gone on a dating show.”
“Yeah, this is not that,” I said, looking right into her eyes and needing to know that she believed me. “Even if what you’re suggesting is true, you don’t have anything to worry about, Abigail. I’m not participating in a dating show either and I can assure you that I have no interest in turning this into that.”
Unless I got to do it with Abi.