Chapter 14 Addison
Addison
Iwas turning from side to side in the mirror, checking out an outfit option to wear to the winery with Harper on FaceTime. “Yes, girl! Wear those jeans. They make your ass look incredible.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why do I even care what I’m wearing?
It’s not like this is a date. We’re just friends, which he made very clear only a week ago…
even though we just slept together…multiple times.
” I shook my head at the memory. “Plus, his brother is coming with him, and I still can’t shake the feeling that it’s a mistake to jump into another relationship so quickly.
My business is my priority, and I can’t lose sight of that. ”
Harper laughed. “Girl, get out of your head. He just rocked your world. Fuck whatever he said a week ago. You can’t have that kind of sex and not catch some feelings, just saying.
” Her tone suddenly turned serious. “You can also have both. A good relationship and your own successful business. It doesn’t have to be one or the other, and fuck the timing when you meet the right man.
” She waved her hand in the air dismissively.
Now it was my turn to laugh. I caught Harper up on everything that went down last night and this morning, including the story of Dean’s ex-girlfriend.
She was convinced the man had it bad for me and that his ex-girlfriend didn’t matter.
I wasn’t so sure, and I wasn’t so sure I could trust myself not to get lost in Dean like I did with Noah.
We hadn’t really talked about what just happened between us, so I decided I would take Dean’s lead tonight and see what happened.
Harper interrupted my thoughts. “Wear that long-sleeved bodysuit you have. That thing shows off your curves, especially your tits. It’ll look good with those jeans, and then add your thigh-high boots. Those will bring that man to his knees.” Harper did a chef’s kiss.
“You’re crazy. But that’s a good idea. I like the outfit idea. What about my hair? Up or down?” I held it up and looked in the mirror.
“Do a slicked-back high pony. Sexy and intense, like you don’t fuck around.”
I nodded. “I like it.” I sat back down on my bed and held my phone in front of my face. “So, what’s been going on with you? I feel like I haven’t really talked to you in a while.”
“Work has been busy per usual, ya know, flu season and all.” Harper waved her hand in front of her face, but I could tell that wasn’t all that had been keeping her busy. Harper and I could always read each other perfectly.
“Mm-hmm. I know that’s not all. Now spill it.” I narrowed my eyes at her.
She sighed. “Fine. Archer and I have been talking a lot, but I don’t know where it’s going yet, and I don’t want to jinx anything, so I haven’t really been talking about it,” she rushed out.
I smiled. “Aw, Harp, you like this boy.”
She rolled her eyes. “Is that so hard to believe? I don’t know.
He’s just different and so fucking hot, obviously.
It’s only been a couple of weeks, but it feels like we’ve known each other for a long time.
We text all day and FaceTime every night.
He just seems to get me. He doesn’t want to change me like every other guy I’ve dated.
” She got quiet. “And I’m not too much for him,” she almost whispered.
“Harp, you are never too much. I’m glad you’ve found a guy who makes you feel good and wants you exactly as you are. You deserve that. You’re amazing.”
She looked back at the phone and smiled.
“Thanks, Addi. Anyway, he plans to stay with me the weekend after Thanksgiving and then fly me to him for Christmas. Since those boys own a plane and all, it’s pretty easy for him to hop around the country or to send me a plane.
” She chuckled and shook her head. “I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the amount of money they have. He’s sending me a fucking plane, Addi!”
I barked out a laugh. “I know, it’s pretty insane. I can’t even imagine Dean in that world, because he is so down-to-earth and doesn’t flash his money around like a certain ex of mine. And Dean has more money than he does.”
“Ain’t that the truth. All right, girl, I gotta get going. I’ve got dinner with my mom, and I told Arch I would call him before I leave.” She blew a kiss at the phone.
“Tell your mom I said hi! And that I miss her.” I loved Harper’s mom She was like a surrogate mom when I lived on the East Coast. “And go call your man,” I teased. I blew her a kiss back, and we ended the call.
I grabbed the bodysuit that Harper suggested from my closet and slipped it on.
I put the jeans I was wearing earlier back on and pulled on my thigh-high suede boots.
I walked into my bathroom to grab my brush and slicked my hair up into a high ponytail, then touched up my makeup a bit.
Looking in the mirror, I turned side to side, very pleased with the result.
I might not know where Dean and I stood, or even what I wanted, but that wasn’t going to stop me from looking good.
I made my way into the winery and popped my head into my mom’s office before heading to the bar where guests could do tastings. “Hey, Mom, just wanted to come say hey. I invited Dean and his brother to come check out the winery and have a drink.”
My mom looked up from her laptop and smiled, her same green gaze meeting mine. She got up from her chair and came around her desk to hug me. “Hey, sweetie, I’ll be sure to stop by to say hi on my way out. I’ve been wanting to meet this Dean,” she said with a wink.
I groaned. “Ugh, Walker got to you, didn’t he?”
She smiled and shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Well, great. Anyway, I was going to grab a couple of bottles and make a little charcuterie board before they get here. Where’s Dad?”
“He’s already back at home starting dinner with Weston and Walker. I was just finishing up a couple of things here. I think Ava is still around here somewhere.”
As if on cue, Ava popped her head into the office. “Did someone say my name?”
I laughed. “I was just saying hey to Mom. Dean and his brother, Archer, are coming to check out the winery and have a drink or two. I was just going to the kitchen to make a charcuterie board for us and grab a couple of bottles. Do you want to join?”
Ava smiled. “Hell yes, I want to join! I’ll help you make the board. Sorry, Mom, I won’t make dinner tonight. I’ve got to get to know the new man that Addison has been spending all her time with.” She held her hands over her heart as I rolled my eyes. I mean, she wasn’t wrong.
We said our goodbyes to Mom and coordinated when to be over at the house for Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Now that the winery was closed, it was nice and quiet.
I loved coming here after hours and just drinking a glass of wine while sitting on the patio overlooking the vineyard.
It was peaceful. Ava followed me to the kitchen to make the board for the guys.
As we were prepping everything, she looked over at me and bumped her shoulder against mine.
“So, you going to tell me more about what happened last night with you and Dean?”
I smirked. “What do you think happened?”
“Yes, sis! So, was it good? It had to be, right? You can’t be that good-looking and not know what you’re doing.” Ava waggled her brows at me.
I barked out a laugh. “Honestly, it was unreal. Best sex I’ve ever had hands down.
But now I don’t know what to do or where we even stand.
He told me, like, a week or so ago that he doesn’t do relationships and we should just be friends.
” I sighed. “But then the man proceeded to give me multiple orgasms, and I don’t feel like that’s what friends do.
I also don’t know if I should even be getting into a relationship anyway. ”
Ava’s eyes widened, and she laughed. “That’s a lot to process, but damn, sis, multiple? That’s the dream.”
“Yeah…it was something. Anyway, so I invited him and Archer here to see if I can get a read on him. Earlier today, he wanted to watch me ride Dahlia, so he stuck around after examining Cash. Then we went on a trail ride again together. It’s just so easy and comfortable to be around him.
He actually cares and is interested in what I do.
I can’t say I’m used to that.” I propped my hip against the counter, crossing my arms. “I’m also just terrified to get into another relationship.
My dream is finally coming true, something I’ve always wanted for myself, and I don’t trust myself not to get distracted by him and risk the success of it all.
I worry that it will eventually be like it was with Noah.
He’ll grow irritated with the amount of time I spend riding, training, and showing, and will want it to be a hobby.
He has the means to take care of me the way Noah did.
I know a lot of men from that world. They want the girl that makes them the priority, that lives for them and what they want, for their dreams.” I paused, taking a deep breath.
“I don’t want to lose myself in another guy, not to mention what would happen if we broke up.
He’s the only veterinarian in town and, sadly, the best.” I gave a short, humorless laugh.
“A bad breakup could ruin my sacred safe place that is Primrose Hill because he would be everywhere.”