Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
HUNTER
“Please, Hunter,” Dorothy says. “I can tell something’s bothering you, so let’s talk about it.”
Her words are loaded and could destroy what I’m trying to build with her. I twist back to face her.
How am I supposed to answer this honestly?
Therapy was a bitch today. There’s nothing like having my therapist point out that I only win the love of my life’s heart by default. Dorothy loves Jamison more. That’s if she even feels that way about me anymore.
I thought her accepting my invitation to the ball would lift my spirits, but it had the opposite effect. I still can’t show her off like I want or treat her the way she deserves. That’ll become glaringly obvious when we step into the event together, but still apart.
“Hunter, did you hear me?” She stands there in the dark, the mesmerizing dance of twinkling light beams defining her silhouette.
Although, I can still visualize her in her red and white plaid leggings with a ridiculous red sweater that has big green Christmas lights woven into the pattern. Why she had Katy pack those is beyond me, but Dorothy’s adorable in them .
That thought causes me to smile. “I heard you. I apologize for my obvious mood. It wasn’t meant to seep into the festivities tonight.”
“Did I do something that upset you?”
“No, beauty. This is all my doing.”
“Will you sit with me on the sofa and talk?”
I can’t deny this woman, even if I wanted to.
“Of course.”
I pad to her and take her hand in mine. She leans against me as we walk over to the sofa.
Her actions confuse me. She’s giving off signs she wants to be more intimate, but when she speaks of our relationship, her words don’t align.
I’ll let her lead this conversation wherever she wants. She’ll need to make the first move. Otherwise, I’ll second-guess myself.
We get to the couch and sit. She brings her legs up and tucks them underneath her.
I scoot to the corner and shift to face her. “What would you like to talk about?”
“You’ve been lost in thought a few times tonight. Since you’ve been letting me lean on you, I’d like to return the favor.”
“How so?”
“When we were together, you would tell me things that touched my heart. There wasn’t a filter. When I asked you why, you would say you were just communicating with me and telling me how you felt. It was one of the reasons I fell in love with you. I miss it.”
“Are you saying you don’t see me doing that now? Because I haven’t been shy about how I feel about you.” I rest my arm on the back of the couch.
“It’s more about the times I notice you holding back. I can tell you’re thinking about something as you watch me, but you look away when there’s an opening for you to say what’s on your mind.”
“That’s because I know you’re struggling right now. I don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of the situation.”
She reaches for my hand and slides closer to me as she places her other hand over my heart.
“Hunter, I don’t want you to hold back. I like the closeness we’ve been sharing over the last few days. I’m not saying there aren’t moments when I’m upset and confused, but my feelings for you haven’t disappeared.
“If anything, they’re growing. It’s not fair of me to tell you that, but it’s true. I see how hard you’re trying, and it warms my heart.”
“That’s nice to hear.” I squeeze her hand. “So, I guess this is your way of asking me to share what’s been on my mind?”
“That’s exactly what it means.”
My eyes have adjusted to the dim lights so I can make out her expression. It’s gentle and welcoming.
She’s my Christmas angel.
I love her so deeply. The feeling rocks me to my core.
“I enjoy having you here, beauty. It feels like you belong, and that scares the shit out of me. All you have to do is walk out that door and choose him over me again and my world shatters.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You don’t need to say anything. I told you before, I’ll take you as a friend, but I’ll never stop loving you. Even if you break me in half, I’ll always love you.”
“Hunter…”
“Now that Jonah and my dad are behind me, I can’t stop hoping I get another chance with you. I see what the future could be like. Every day the image gets clearer, and it’s fantastic.”
I draw in a much-needed breath. “But it has me feeling more than vulnerable. So if you’re picking up on anything, that’s likely it.”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and stares at our hands as the flickering lights take turns painting her skin different colors.
She centers herself and gazes in my direction. “It means a lot that you told Jonah and your dad about your feelings for me. It makes me feel like you’re proud of me. It’s scary, but I trust you to make sure they don’t take me to the board.”
“They won’t. They’re helping me with your clause. My dad thinks we should take it to the board as soon as the app launches. He doesn’t want to do it before because everyone’s already on edge about the success of this project. Throwing that into the mix could create undue chaos.”
“Agreed. The timing has to be right.”
I sit with that. This is the most calm and open to the idea she’s ever been. Hopefully, that means she’s considering giving us another shot.
My chest tightens, so I shift to get some relief. “Have you considered contacting Jamison and talking with him? It might help to hear him out.”
She stiffens. “No. I’m not ready. I want to understand how I feel about the situation before he floods my mind with excuses, which will only confuse me more. The clearer I am about what I want, the better it’ll be for everyone involved, you included.”
“I said I’d support you in your decision. If that’s what you want and need, I won’t push you into it.”
Because if I do, it could change everything.
“Thanks.”
“Anything for you, beauty, but if you change your mind, I’ll support that as well.”
She gazes at the tree. “I know, and if I do, you’ll be the first to know.”
“One more thing before I send you off to bed. ”
“What’s that?” A green illumination from the Christmas lights catches her eyes, and for a second, they glow.
She takes my breath away. She fucking owns me from here on out. I laugh to myself. She’s owned me since I laid eyes on her.
“My dad wants to extend an invitation for you to join us for Christmas dinner. Melanie’s welcome as well. If you want to talk to her about it tomorrow, that’s fine. But I’d love for you to say yes now. I’ll sleep better having an answer.”
Her smile appears in seconds. “In that case, yes. I’d love to go to dinner with your family. It’s quite the honor.”
My heart tightens, aching to take her in my arms. But I hold back. It’s her move to make. Not mine.
I get to my feet and peer down at her. “You might rethink that once the night’s over.”
“Why’s that?”
“You discovered a side of Jonah tonight you didn’t know existed. You’ll discover a lot more spending time with us when we’re not in a work environment.”
“How so?”
“We become three down-to-earth guys arguing about the games on TV.”
She laughs. “Down-to-earth? The Efrons? No, it just doesn’t fit.”
I cock my head to the side and shrug. “See for yourself.”
“I can’t wait.” She stands and her arms slowly move around my neck. “Maybe we should make a bet.”
My hands go to her waist. We stare into each other’s eyes. It’s taking everything in me to let her lead.
Those damn lips.
I want to kiss her so much.
“Hunter?”
“Yes, my love?”
“Would it be terrible if I told you that I was remembering what it’s like to be with you that way? ”
Oh, my fucking hell.
She did not just say that.
My heart lurches for her. I’ve been waiting months for that.
My blood races and fills me with desire. “Not if I told you I can’t get my mind off being with you that way again.”
“What do you think we should do about it?”
My breath quickens. Every part of my body is ready to dive in head first, but my therapist’s words echo in my ears.
You need to come clean with her about everything before you take the next step. That’s how you build a relationship based on trust and understanding.
The old Hunter would give two middle fingers to that advice, but I want to marry Dorothy. And if I do, I never want to give her a reason to leave me. With that, I kiss her forehead.
“Let’s not rush into anything. You’re still confused, and I want you to make a decision like that when you’re sure.” I pull her into my chest.
She noticeably deflates. I hate that I’m disappointing her, but she’ll thank me later. At least, that’s my hope.
Dorothy and Melanie are up in the entertainment room streaming some reality show. Jonah and I have been in the living room talking about how Dorothy and I have continued to grow closer over the last three days.
She still has her moments where she gets upset and breaks down, but she comes to me and talks when she does.
Those conversations always revolve around why Jamison wouldn’t trust her enough to share with her, which only reminds me I have my own work to do .
My temper wants to flare, but I remind myself this is her process and I vowed to honor it this time.
I think having Melanie around helps tremendously. And she’s even growing on me. She makes me laugh like I haven’t in a long time.
Jonah and she can’t keep their hands off each other. He’s pretty much holed up here with the rest of us. I never would’ve believed I’d want it this way, but I find myself loving it.
It’s only when Jonah and Melanie get hot and heavy in front of Dorothy and me that things get awkward. I just come up with a reason to leave the room and Dorothy follows.
She told me she’d love it if they stayed together. And interestingly, they seem to work.
Katy just dropped off their surprises, so Jonah and I have our arms full as we navigate our way to them.
Jonah goes in first. “Okay, you two. Hit pause because we have a dramatic entrance to make.”
Mel pops her head up over the back of the couch. “What on earth?”
“What have you guys been up to?” Dorothy jumps out of the recliner chair. “What’s all this?”
“Why don’t you come over here and find out?” I hold out the boxes to her.
She lifts them from my hands. “It’s not Christmas yet.”
“It doesn’t have to be.” I take her in as Jonah gives Melanie her boxes.
Dorothy’s wearing black leggings and one of my sweatshirts. Her thick hair lies over her shoulders and on her chest, looking as beautiful as she can be.
She nudges my arm with the large box. “Come over here and help me open these.”
“I’ll watch. You have to unwrap them.” I sit in the chair she was using.
Jonah and Melanie are already on the couch. Melanie flashes Dorothy a smile, then crawls over her gifts and starts making out with Jonah.
I push the back of his shoulder. “Normally, I would let you two do whatever you want, but I thought we decided on having them open these together.”
He laughs and presses Melanie back. “This one time, baby girl, we should listen to him.”
They count to three and dive in. Dorothy takes her time, whereas Melanie rips the paper apart and tears the presents open.
She stops dead in her tracks when her gown for the ball comes into view. She moves in slow motion as she picks it up.
“Jonah…” Tears start falling from her eyes.
Damn, I didn’t expect that from her.
I do a quick assessment of Jonah. He’s grinning from ear to ear. More than relieved, the tension releases from my neck. I wasn’t sure how he’d deal with an emotional woman. Melanie seems to have a good effect on him.
My attention goes back to Dorothy. She’s sitting on the floor below me, smiling as she watches her best friend experience joy like she never has before.
Melanie doesn’t come from money. She works hard and still has to share her living expenses with a roommate.
Dorothy’s loving gaze comes to me. “Thank you.”
“You haven’t opened yours yet, so what are you thanking me for?” I pick up her large box and hand it to her. “It’s your turn.”
She takes the gift from me and finishes opening it, folding back the white tissue paper until her royal blue, floor-length ball gown is on full display.
“You were wearing this color the night we got together. I knew I couldn’t go wrong.” I reach for the other box, but she’s in my lap, hugging me before I can grasp it.
Jonah and Melanie are locked in an embrace, so I relish Dorothy being in my arms. A few minutes later, I get the good sense to urge the ladies to finish unwrapping the jewelry, shoes, and lingerie that match their dresses.
I tell Dorothy I don’t expect to see it. I just want her to feel beautiful all night. They run out of the room, squealing like two high-school girls getting ready for the prom.
When I send the make-up artist and hairdresser up to their rooms fifteen minutes later, Jonah and I hear their screams all the way to the bar area. I’d say we made our ladies happy, so the night’s already a win.
Two hours later, Jonah and I stand in the foyer, waiting for them to come downstairs. As if on cue, Melanie appears at the top of the stairs, wearing her white floor-length dress. It’s a silk slip dress cut perfectly for her body.
I slap Jonah on the shoulder. “Got to hand it to you, little brother. You did well.”
He meets her at the bottom of the stairs. “Damn, baby girl. I’m not letting you out of my sights tonight.”
“You better not because I’m going to be turning heads.” She hugs him and whispers something in his ear.
Dorothy steals my attention when she starts down the stairs. I lose my breath and have to hold on to the wall to stop myself from falling over. She’s the most beautiful I’ve ever seen her.
Her hair is in a wavy chiffon bun, her dress sits off her shoulders and is cut low between her breasts. Her strategic lingerie pushes her mounds together and a long diamond necklace lies upon them.
“Close your mouth, Hunter.” She smiles wide. “I’d hate for you to ruin your tux from the drool dripping down your chin.”
“Beauty. You’re absolutely stunning.” I step to her and kiss her on the cheek. Her emerald eyes set my soul on fire.
“You look amazing yourself.” She takes a peek at Melanie and Jonah. “I bet we end up being the best-dressed group attending this ball. ”
“There’s no doubt about that.” Melanie’s gaze hits each one of us. “Thank you all for making my wildest dreams come true. No matter how this ends, I’ll cherish this forever.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet, baby girl.” Jonah takes her face in his hands and presses his lips hard against hers.
It should be a great moment, but I hang on to her words.
How this ends.
She doesn’t believe this will last. And something deep in my gut tells me I should heed her warning or else the impact of the blow will blindside me and knock me out of this world.