Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
KEATON
P anic.
I’m in a blind panic.
This is so bad. I let him kiss me for a long time, and if it hadn’t been for that interruption, I might’ve let him do a lot more than just devour me with his mouth.
What was I thinking?
I touch my throbbing, swollen lips.
You weren’t thinking, Keaton.
We can’t be kissing like that.
Do I want to? Of course. That might’ve been the best kiss I’ve ever had in my entire existence.
Who wouldn’t want an encore?
Yet, I’m aware of the many reasons why we shouldn’t do it again.
Like never.
Never-ever.
Nunca.
Noch nie.
Jamais.
Saying that word in multiple languages won’t help me with my current situation. How do we fix what we almost broke?
We have to keep it platonic.
Aslan could follow my example. I’ve been doing an excellent job of keeping my crush hidden.
Does he know I have a crush on him? No. See? It’s doable.
Platonic isn’t going to convince anyone that you two are together. And there I go, chatting with myself. I’m the worst person to give any advice. My love life sucks. I should shut up and disappear. Leave the country, or at least the city.
I could visit Mom, but that’d be a short trip.
At some point during the day, Aslan will call me to his office so we can work, and he’ll find a way to bring up the PDA conversation.
The guy won’t let it go until he’s satisfied—and I’m not talking about it anymore.
If the hard-on pressing against my belly while we were kissing was any indication, he was just as aroused as I was.
Everything circles back to my idea of leaving the building and having to flee the city.
What can I use as an excuse to leave until next month? As I’m trying to figure out my escape, my phone rings.
“Keaton Nealy, how can I help you?”
“Keaton, darling, how are you doing?”
I stare at my phone, petrified by the voice. Dawn Spearman is on the other end of the line. What am I supposed to do?
“Hi, Mrs. Spearman.”
“Call me Dawn,” she says with that friendly tone that makes me want to be her friend. She’s pleasant.
“How can I help you? Is your son avoiding you?” Because there can’t be another reason to call me, can it?
“Not today. I spoke with Fern earlier.”
I almost groan, knowing where this conversation is going. She knows. I don’t say a word and wait for her to continue this conversation. She doesn’t. Why is she making things awkward?
“Umm, I don’t want to sound rude, but I have a busy day ahead of me, Mrs. Spearman.”
“Dawn, it is Dawn to you, dear. What with you being my son’s girlfriend.
I just can’t understand why he wouldn’t tell me.
Anything he tells you about me is an exaggeration.
Do I think he should be dating a nice girl?
Of course, I do. I’m glad to know that he’s with one of the best women I’ve ever met. ”
It’s hard not to laugh when she’s calling and clearly crossing a few boundaries.
I recall my conversation with Lysander. Is she going to ask me about the wedding, how many children we’re planning on having, or does she want a sample of my DNA to see if I’m a good candidate to carry her grandchildren?
I stop making things up and wait for more.
“You two should have dinner with me tonight. If Aslan weren’t in a meeting, I would’ve already discussed it with him.”
“I can’t,” I say immediately. “Between my family problems and?—”
“Oh, right, your mom just got transferred to a new facility. After your visit, you can come to my house if you want. We’ll have a quiet dinner. I live close to the center. By the way, I volunteer there every Sunday and Monday. I can’t wait to meet her. Though, this weekend, we could go shopping.”
Think of an excuse.
Think of anything.
Do it fast!
It’s impossible. The Spearmans like to send me into a state of panic. I could use Savannah as a reason to leave the room. Mom did it a lot when I was younger, when she wanted to avoid parent-teacher conferences or other gatherings where people might realize she wasn’t a fit mother.
“Well, my sister…” I don’t know what to say after that.
“She’s coming with us too, isn’t she?”
An email pops into my inbox. It’s from Monti Media.
“Yes, she’ll come with us to Hawaii,” I assure her as I scan the email.
It’s the response to the message I sent last week asking if we could visit the company. They’re extending an invitation to Aslan and me. I reply immediately, asking when it’d be convenient to schedule my trip.
“Well, then you are both coming with me this weekend. Tim will pick you up in the morning.”
“But I won’t be in San Francisco this weekend,” I answer as I read the message from Monti Media. It’s an open invitation. If I want, I can be there as early as today.
“Are you and my ungrateful son traveling this weekend? He never tells me his plans.”
“He’s not coming with me. I’m sure you can spend some quality time with him.” I accept that the last part was uncalled for, but this should teach him not to break the rules.
“When are you leaving, dear?”
According to the airline website, there’s a flight departing at eleven with plenty of seats.
“In a couple of hours. I’m getting ready to leave.”
“Oh…how about your sister?”
This is yet another chance to teach a lesson to my sister. I don’t know what kind of lesson, but it’ll be good for her to be around Dawn. “I’ll make sure to tell her that Tim will pick her up on Saturday. She’ll spend the day with you, no worries.”
“Magnificent. I can’t wait to spend some time getting to know her. Will I see you during family dinner?”
“If I’m back by then, yes.” Though, I’ll make sure to stay in Arizona until Wednesday.
I might just send a text to Aslan letting him know that I won’t be able to go to Hawaii because I’m too busy for it.
In the meantime, someone will be supervising my baby sister.
Who better than Dawn Spearman? I can tell she’s going to smother my sister with love.
“If you don’t mind, Mrs. Spearman?—”
“Dawn,” she corrects me.
“Right, Dawn, I have to head back home to pick up my luggage. I’ll see you next week.”
“Have a safe trip, sweetheart.”
“Thank you.”
It doesn’t take me long to finish booking my flight to Phoenix, rent a car, and make hotel reservations. Once I’m ready, I pack my things and head out.
“I’ll be in Arizona,” I announce as I stop at my assistant’s desk. “Make sure to change my schedule. I’ll be out for the next couple of days.”
“See you on Monday,” she says.
Not if I can help it. I’ll stay there for as long as it’s possible.