9. Pancakes
CHAPTER 9
PANCAKES
T he next morning, Addison was pleasantly surprised to wake up with Tim next to her in bed. I can’t believe we did that. Not like I’m complaining. There was no going back now. They had very much crossed the friends-to-lovers threshold.
“Addie,” Tim mumbled. “Pancakes.”
She turned to him. “Pancakes?”
“Pancakes. Stat. You wore me out last night, and it’s going to be a criminal offense if you don’t feed me carbs.” He rubbed his eyes and sat up, smiling. It was impossible for Addison not to smile back.
“That’s reasonable. I hope you aren’t expecting me to make them.”
“You can’t make pancakes? Seriously? You’re the most capable person I’ve ever known.”
Addison glowed at his compliment. “I’m not an idiot. I can make pancakes. But I don’t exactly have pancake-making materials here.”
“Then let’s go out,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and stretching.
What if someone sees us? They’d know something happened. Friends don’t go get pancakes at 9 a.m. on a Saturday.
“You get showered, and I’ll run down to the corner store for some Bisquick,” she said hurriedly.
“You’re going to go out all unwashed like a heathen?” he teased.
Oh, right. Hmm. I’ll make it work. “Sure am. I’m too naturally lovely for anyone to notice.” Ick, I guess.
“That’s true. Okay, you filthy animal, go get the goods. I’ll be here,” Tim said on his way to the bathroom.
Phew. That was a close one. We’ll have to figure out how to be undercover and make things work later.
Addison pulled on gym clothes and a baseball cap. That would have to do for running down the block and back. She might be able to hide Tim for now, but there was no hiding the huge smile that seemed permanently attached to her face.
On her way out of the store, Bisquick in hand, Addison heard a voice yell from behind her.
“Addie. Girl!”
Lexi. Damn. Exactly what I was trying to avoid. At least Tim is safely hidden away upstairs.
She tried to look as innocent as possible, acting like it was a wonderful coincidence that she and Lexi had run into each other.
“Lex, good morning. What’s up with you?” she asked, hoping to keep the focus off herself.
“Just getting in a little run. I’m still new at this, so I ran toward your place since you could drive me home when I get too tired to make it back.” Lexi grinned. “Which, by the way, is the case right now.”
Addison laughed. Pure Lexi.
“What do you say?” Lexi asked. “Can you drive me home? We can stop for something carby and delicious on the way. I’ve probably burned a thousand calories already.”
Think, think, think.
“I’m a little busy right now. You think you could just get an Uber?” I’m a terrible friend.
Lexi's face fell. “Oh. Sure.” She regained her composure, but then spotted the Bisquick in Addison’s hand. “Um, Addie? You’re on your way home to make pancakes, and you’re ‘busy’? Can I assume it’s more like you ‘got busy’ and now you’re feeding him?”
Embarrassing. Now what?
“Ha. You’re hilarious.”
Lexi’s eyes lit up. “I’m right! Who is he? Do I know him?”
“Okay, that’s enough. It’s no one important. I’ll let you know when you need to get all riled up about someone in my life.” Liar. You big fat liar.
Lexi wasn’t convinced, but Addison had to get back upstairs before Tim called her—or worse, came looking for her.
“Okay, gotta go feed the man I have chained up in my condo. Bye.” Addison blew Lexi a kiss as she hurried back to her building. That was another close one.
“I ran into Lexi outside,” Addison said casually as they ate pancakes.
“Talk about the perfect chance to tell her what’s going on. How’d she take it?” Tim asked.
“I didn’t tell her,” Addison said, avoiding eye contact.
“Why not? That was the ultimate opportunity to get it out of the way. You know she’s not going to care.”
“Are we talking about the same person? Lexi, as in Alexandra Perez? Drama queen?”
“Give the woman some credit. The drama is part of her charm, and she rarely uses it for evil. Also, she’s your best friend, right?”
“Never say ‘bestie’ again.”
“Deal. But seriously, why is this an issue? I’m planning to tell Jake when I see him later at the pickleball court.”
Addison froze. “No, you can’t do that.”
“Why? I don’t get the secrecy.”
“I think we should wait a while,” she said.
“For what? Are you planning to get rid of me?”
“No, not at all. I just want to enjoy this in peace for a while. If we tell them now, Jake or Lexi might get so upset that it ruins everything. I’m not ready to risk us.”
Tim chewed thoughtfully. “I respect that. I’m proud to be with you, though, and I’m excited to tell everyone—especially Jake. He’d get why it’s a big deal to have you.”
Sweet, misguided Tim. “I need some time, okay? Just trust me.”
“For now.”
Addison’s phone buzzed as they finished breakfast.
Lexi: You can’t avoid me any longer. Who was the stud waiting for breakfast this morning?
What do I tell her? She knows I never have guys over.
Addison: Nobody interesting, I promise.
Lexi: I find anyone worthy of a sleepover with you interesting.
Why does she have to be so involved? Addison stared at her phone, feeling cornered by Lexi’s persistence. She couldn’t tell her the truth, but she also knew Lexi wouldn’t believe a flimsy excuse.
Lexi: Addie. Give me the goods.
She won’t believe I met someone new. Addison typed furiously, trying to keep Lexi satisfied.
Addison: Just some guy I met on Tinder. We went to dinner and really connected.
Lexi: I’ll say! What’s his deal?
What’s his deal? Pretty simple—he’s your ex.
Addison: Tall, sexy, smart.
Lexi: Obviously. I know your type. Tell me something I couldn’t have guessed.
I know something you’d never guess.
Lexi: Is he still there? You’re being cryptic.
Thank you, Lexi!
Addison: Yep. Trying to be sneaky texting you. I’ll tell you more when he leaves…which may not be for a while, wink wink.
“What a mess, Prickles.”
Prickles wiggled his snout.
“Don’t you judge me, Prickles. I’m doing enough of that for both of us.”
Addison’s lovey afterglow had been dimmed for the day. She couldn’t get the consequences of Lexi finding out about Tim out of her mind. She and Tim had enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and a Netflix binge at her place, but she’d been sad to see him leave. He would be back in a little while after taking care of some chores, but the wait felt like it was taking forever.
After another two hours of guilt and waiting, Tim finally arrived.
“That felt like a year since I left. How am I supposed to go a minute without you?” he asked, pulling her into a deep kiss.
I know the feeling.
“Let’s go out on the town,” he said. “I was thinking we could head over to DC9 for some hush puppies and garlic fries. There’s a band playing tonight that I’ve heard good things about.”
“Out?” Where someone can see us?
“Yes, out. Why? Would you rather take this meeting from bed?” Tim teased, his smile suggesting he wouldn’t mind either way.
“I’m not opposed to that,” Addison said, avoiding his gaze, “but I was thinking we could order in and have a homebody kind of evening.”
“Is something wrong?”
Yes? No? I don’t even know.
“Nothing’s wrong. I was just thinking—it was a close call earlier with Lexi showing up nearby. There are eyes all over the city, and we wouldn’t want someone else to tell her or Jake before we’re ready.”
Tim’s lips thinned, and he sighed. “Are you embarrassed to be seen with me or something?”
“No! That’s not it at all.” Addison’s eyes widened, and her heart raced. This is going so badly.
“It sure feels like it,” Tim said, stepping away from her, his shoulders slumping.
“I promise you; I’d be loud and proud about being with you if we didn’t have our friends to worry about.”
“It’s a little hard to believe that, Addie, since you’re doing everything you can to keep our relationship a secret,” Tim said, his voice flat.
How does he not understand? Addison felt a wave of frustration rise. We’re not even official yet. This might be a bad idea.
“I—”
“No, you don’t need to explain yourself. We’re not going to get anywhere since we disagree completely. Look, let’s just order some Thai and hang out.” Tim attempted a smile, but it wavered. “Really, it’s fine. All I need is you.”
What am I doing? Hurting Tim is so much worse than Lexi or Jake finding out.
“Can we just table this discussion for a bit?” Addison said, reaching for him. “I want to have you without any drama for a little longer. Is that okay?”
Tim pulled her into a hug, his breath warm against her hair. “I’ll take what I can get,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “For now.”
“For now,” she conceded.