Chapter 17 #2
I think back to some of the positions he had me in with his sex chair and my eyes turn wide. It’s probably a little late to slow things down in that department. But of course, Mom makes total sense and her advice is as smart as ever.
“I’d better get back to my tidying,” I say after a while. “Those dishes won’t clean themselves.”
“Well, as long as you’re not overthinking anything… and who is Marie Kondo again?”
“She wrote that book on the Japanese art of tidying,” I laugh.
“That’s right, I remember now, you do love folding your clothes into those little parcels. But seriously, don’t overdo it. You’ve had a lot going on, just take some time for yourself, alright? Put your feet up and relax a little.”
“I will,” I say. I plan on grabbing my warm fuzzy blanket and watching some Netflix right after this conversation. “Thanks, Mom. You’re the best. Sorry you have to keep a secret from Dad until Daryl’s back. How do you think he’ll react?”
“Dad loves Denver just as much as I do.”
“I meant Daryl.” I chuckle, shaking my head.
“Oh, I think you’ll find he’ll be on board more than you might think. We all think the world of Denver, so I’m sure it’s all going to work out for the best.”
“I’m counting on it,” I say. “I’m really counting on it.”
Denver
I stare up at Adelaide’s apartment holding Bodhi in his pet carrier.
After brooding most of the afternoon, and typing out texts to her that I kept backspacing on, I decided to jump in the truck and head on over to her place with Bodes in tow.
It’s something that needs to be said and done in person.
I can’t believe she’d think I’d have anything to do with Hannah after her past behavior, and the fact that Adi and I were intimate the other night.
That just isn’t me. I hate the insinuation Hannah threw out there that she’d just given me a blowjob, rubbing salt in the wound. I don’t know what I ever saw in her.
I’m not opposed to a restraining order, if that’s what it takes. I know I need to make things right with Adi. Now.
So, I take a breath—or six—and press the buzzer to her apartment. I just hope she lets me in and doesn’t tell me to fuck off.
“Here goes nothing,” I say to Bodhi. He meows, unsure, no doubt, what the fuck we’re doing here and why he’s not tucked up warmly inside.
It’s only a few seconds or so before I hear Adi’s sweet voice over the intercom.
“H-hello?”
“Adi, it’s me, Denver.” There’s a long pause on the other end. “Will you let me up, there’s things to say. Just hear me out, please.” I’m half expecting her to tell me to take a hike, so I’m surprised when she doesn’t. At least they aren’t the first words out of her mouth, anyway.
“D, are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“It’s the best idea I can come up with,” I murmur.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you all afternoon.
I’m really sorry Hannah showed up like that.
Bodhi wouldn’t stop hissing at her, he’s here with me.
He would love to say hello.” Okay, I may be using my fur baby’s heart strings here, but I’ll do what I have to because I want to make it up to her.
“Alright,” she finally says after a pause, pressing the unlock to the door. “I’m apartment three on the second floor.”
I let out a breath. “Be right up.”
I take the stairs because I need to work off some of the adrenaline running through my veins.
But soon I’m right outside, rapping my knuckles on the door.
I wait in anticipation as I hear her footsteps getting closer, holding Bodhi’s pet carrier to my chest. And a moment later she’s pulling the door wide.
“Baby girl,” I say, my voice an octave deeper than it normally is. “I’m sorry.”
I know I keep saying it, but I want her to know how truly, deeply sorry I am.
She’s wearing dark blue sweats and her hair is pulled up into a messy bun. She looks divine. I love her in sexy dresses and tight jeans, but I have to say, I love her like this, too.
Seeing her in her own environment is something I’ve been looking forward to. I’m interested to finally witness her own personal style, because I know how talented she is from stalking her instagram.
“Hi, D,” she replies, leaning on the edge of the door a little, like she’s still deciding whether to let me in or not.
“Hi,” I say. “It’s been a day, but Bodhi and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. We wanted to see if you’d share the bag of donuts you left.” I waggle the bag I brought with me. I also have my sketchbook under my arm to show her what I was doing before I got interrupted by Hannah.
Her mouth twitches a smile and it softens the edges around me somehow, because I can see in the glisten of her eyes and the relaxed expression on her face that she’s not mad at me. Thank fuck for that.
She raises a brow. “You’ve both been unable to stop thinking about me?”
“I know Bohdi misses you.” I hold his cage up higher, putting on a ridiculous voice. “My dad is sorry but he promises there will be no more crazy stalker women on the horizon. He’s already changed the locks, and I got my claws sharpened.”
She rolls her lips to save from laughing. “Using your cat to get back in my good graces?”
“Is it working?”
She smirks. “It seems a shame to waste perfectly good donuts.”
I chuckle. “Couldn’t agree more.”
“Come in,” she finally says. “You’re gonna freeze to death out in the hall.”
I let out a breath of pure relief. “I thought you’d never ask.”