28—Hershey （Larinda’s Bus）
In what universe do I get to wake up with Larinda Scott in my arms?
This one, apparently.
I still can’t wrap my brain around the fact that this is happening. As if our incredible time together wasn’t enough, this woman risked everything to choose me. Me. The guy who less than two years ago was begging his sister for money to buy ramen and then cooked it in her microwave at her kitchen table in her apartment.
Yep, Larinda freakingScott may have thrown away her entire career to tell the world how much that guy means to her. Let me tell you, that is a very bewildering place to be mentally and emotionally. (Physically, I’m good. My body is not even remotely confused about what’s happening right now as it presses against her naked form.)
I watch her sleep like a certifiable creeper, tracing every inch of her with my gaze… then my finger, because come on. I’m respectful, not a saint.
“Morning,” she murmurs with a slow smile.
“Morning. Sorry for waking you.”
“You didn’t.”
We both know I did and exchange another smile.
“Know what I dreamt about?” she says as she stretches in the most stunning and brutal tease of all time.
My blood pounds harder at the mesmerizing display, and now my body really thinks it knows what’s up.
“What’s that?”
Sex?
More sex?
So, so much sex?
“Tax evasion.”
Oh.
“Well, more specifically, the fact that my accountant didn’t tell me I had to declare income for the international collaboration with?—”
I cut her off with a kiss, and she swats me away.
“Stop! I have to brush my teeth first!”
“No you don’t. I don’t care.”
I lean in again, and she nudges me back. “Really? Because you clearly did! Your breath reeks of refreshing mint.”
“Yeah, well, I was up forever ago and didn’t know what to do. It’s not like I could go out there and hang with Rory to discuss how the I-76 corridor was lookin’ last night at two AM.”
“Why not? He’s awesome. He probably would have had tons of stories to tell. Also, does that mean you used my toothbrush and stuff?”
“We had unprotected sex. You’re probably pregnant with my baby. You really care if I used your toothbrush?”
“Ew. And I’m not pregnant. My contraceptive game is on point. Also, would that be so bad?”
“What?”
“A baby.”
I stare at her. I can’t even tell if she’s joking. “Are you…? Hang on…”
“I’m kidding! Calm down.” She shoves my shoulder, and I breathe a sigh of relief. “Not for another year or two at least.”
Huh? Wow. Yeah, I got nothing. I mean, a kid? I’d never once thought about having kids. I’d never dated a single person I would’ve wanted to consider having a family with. It’s a ridiculous thought in general.
Well, it was. Because suddenly all I can think about is how much this dark, ugly world needs more radiant supernovas like Larinda Scott. Shit, now I’m picturing little Larinda starbursts running around brightening up the place.
You’re so weird, dude.
Yeah. I also haven’t had my coffee yet, so whatever.
“Anyway, you don’t have to worry,” I say. “I didn’t use your toothbrush, just your toothpaste and mouthwash.”
She tilts her head, her smile fading as she studies me. “Huh. Interesting.”
“What?”
She shrugs. “You’re just as beautiful this morning as last night. Maybe more so.”
I bite the inside of my lip, having no idea how to take that. “Okay?”
“I have a proposition for you.”
Uh-oh.
These non sequiturs are really throwing me off, and without coffee, she might as well be spelling out some weird code in spaghetti.
Two noodles… no idea. Five more noodles… still no idea.
“How about we head over to catering right now and face the firestorm together?”
My heart stops as I stare at her. I must have heard her wrong. Those spaghetti noodles aren’t making sense.
“I’m sorry?”
“Everyone has to know we’re together by now, right? Check your phone. It probably blew up this morning. So let’s just get it over with and show them we don’t care.”
I shake my head. I’ve done everything I could not to check my phone this morning for that very reason.
“I’d rather not.”
“Val, we have to face this. It’s going to happen, so let’s just do it.”
I draw in a deep breath. I still can’t see myself doing that in a million years, but I suppose I should hear her out. I was willing to do it for my former parents who I hate, so I guess I owe it to the woman I love.
“Fine. I’m listening. What’s the proposition?”
She crosses her arms. “I just told you.”
“No, you said, we go to breakfast to confront everyone.”
“Yep.”
She lifts her brows. I furrow mine.
“Right. So a proposition means I get something in return. I do something ludicrous and absolutely unfathomable for you, and in exchange I get…?” I pause, waiting for her to fill in the blank.
“You get to be by my side as we face the storm together.”
I open my mouth to respond. Nothing comes out.
“So, I guess… yeah. That’s the proposition,” she says. “We freshen up and head over to catering to watch our lives blow up.”
“Um, that’s not a proposition, babe. That’s a command.”
“Oh. Well, then, I have a command for you.”
She swings her legs over the bed and pushes to her feet. I’m about to keep arguing but she’s hovering completely naked inches away from me. What were we talking about again? Tax evasion?
“Give me twenty minutes,” she says, moving toward the bathroom.
I’d give that ass twenty years.
Forty.
Sixty.
A fucking baby if she wants it.
I groan and throw myself back on the pillow.
She’s completely wrecked me. There’s no other explanation, because as she’s “freshening up,” future babies aren’t even the most ridiculous thought rumbling through my head.
I’m going to follow her to catering.
I’m going to follow her anywhere, because I belong with her. I belong here.
I’m important to her, and if she sees me as a risk worth taking, I have to fight like hell to start seeing what she does.
In what universe do I wake up with Larinda Scott in my arms?
This one. A universe where I’m Val Andrews. A damn good producer who’s trying his best to be a damn good human being.
And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough.