Chapter 39
Chapter thirty-nine
Audrey
Rhett stirs next to me, and a smile pulls on my lips as I watch his long eyelashes flutter awake as we cozy in under the white duvet. Sun shines in, and even though I didn’t sleep much, I’m happy to wake up next to this man.
“I can’t believe you’re up before me,” he grumbles, pulling the pillow under his chest to prop himself up. I graze my eyes across his bare torso, back to his eyes that are all on me.
“I woke up and couldn’t go back to bed.” I shrug.
“Desperate for more of this?” He teases and I roll my eyes hard, even though I wouldn’t deny him if he decided to repeat last night’s activities.
“Actually, I have been busy. I bought our plane tickets and made reservations at a hotel.” I pause, tightening the messy bun on top of my head. Rhett’s eyes go wide with confusion. “Oh shoot, do you not remember agreeing to come with me?”
He sits up, puffs out his cheeks and runs a hand through his messy hair before speaking. “Of course, I remember…but wouldn’t we just stay with your parents? And last minute flights and hotels are usually pretty expensive, I thought? I didn’t expect you to buy anything for me, Audrey.”
“Please, it’s the least I can do. I want us to be comfortable and have enough space for ourselves.” I all but laughed at his suggestion of staying with my parents. I was already gambling by bringing a male guest. “Plus, my brother always takes over the guest house with his friends.”
He still looks uneasy, but I rest my palm on his bare shoulder, smiling at the warmth beneath it. I love how hot he always runs.
“And please promise me, you won’t worry about the money.
This is my treat, and I got a deal,” I add.
A deal only because my last name was Elson and I called in a favor to the resort's manager. I would never tell Rhett how much this trip costs, because I know it would only make him uneasy, and it truly didn’t matter to me. His comfort was most important.
“Okay, whatever you say, I trust you.” He smiles at me, and I sigh a tiny breath of relief at his change of heart and easy-going attitude that’s never far from persuasion.
I highly doubt my parents will be as easygoing when I tell them I will be showing up after all, and I’ll have my not-so-secret boyfriend in tow.
“I’ve seen the guest list, it’s enormous, which actually works in our favor. We will arrive make our rounds, you can meet my family, and then we can escape back to the resort.”
“Wait, now it’s a resort?”
“Technically, I think. I mean it has a spa and a pool, but we can also indulge in room service and body treatments. My treat.” I flash an excited smile, knowing I need this little getaway as much as he does.
He hesitates, worry creasing his forehead. I know it’s out of his comfort zone, but he’ll be with me, and I guarantee when he realizes he can get a top shelf whiskey delivered to him poolside, he will be thanking me for this little idea.
“Listen, you’re going to be on my turf, so it’s my turn to show you a good time. I don’t want you to worry about a thing, I have it all planned. You just have to show up, looking dapper.”
“I’m not sure anything in my closet could be considered dapper.” Rhett laughs, eyes roaming to his closet.
“Lucky for you, I’m working remotely today and can be done around four…so shopping this evening?”
I clasp my hands together in excitement and Rhett closes his eyes, but he can’t help but smile when his gaze meets mine again. He can’t resist me when I’m smiling. I know this much.
“You know I hate it…but okay. Let’s go shopping tonight. Make me dapper or whatever the hell you said.” He pretends to be annoyed but ruffles my hair, kissing me.
This isn’t going to be so bad. Maybe this little trip away is exactly what we need together. Maybe it will even be fun.
Rhett meanders into the bathroom, so I glance through my calendar today.
I will have to call my mom at some point, sooner than later.
Best case scenario is she’s pleasantly surprised her daughter is not reeling through a failed engagement but rather flourishing in a new relationship.
Worst case scenario, she is rude about it.
I can handle that. Plus, they didn’t need all the details or the timeline.
I’m just trying to keep the peace between them and myself while showing Rhett I’m proud of what we have. That’s what this trip is all about.
Maybe, in the pit of my heart, I hope if they see me, and see the way Rhett looks at me, they will see I'm doing okay. That I'm not a lost cause. That belief keeps me going as I get ready for the day, begin working at Rhett’s dining room table, and finally gain the courage to dial my mother’s number.
Penny pops another carrot in her mouth, leaning back on her pink sofa, listening to me talk about my weekend as we catch up over our favorite Wednesday night reality show.
“So, walk me through this again. Your mom was totally nonchalant about you bringing a new man?”
“She said, and I quote, ‘That’s nice, your father will be thrilled you are coming home.’ I asked her again if she had me down for two, and she said yes. She was extremely distracted, but she seemed fine with it?”
“Wow…even your dad?”
“We didn’t talk, but I’m assuming she will tell him. News travels quickly in that household.” I smiled tightly. Penny narrowed her eyes at me.
“Okay, and they know he’s your boyfriend, right?”
“They know I’m bringing home a guy I'm seeing. I didn’t gush about all the details, because there is no point.
The party will be huge. I will make my rounds with Rhett to meet them, and my brother if he is around, and then we will disappear.
Rhett wants to meet them. He will see how horrible they are, and then I won’t be obligated to see them again for another year, and Rhett will get the gist. It’s a win-win,” I say, self-assured, but Penny remains quiet.
“I hope you’re right, babe. Did you tell them about New York?”
I had already told Penny I wouldn’t be moving and subsequently will be turning down the promotion offer.
As expected, she couldn’t contain her excitement.
My parents though? I’d been delaying that all week.
Rhett and I flew out at the end of next week, and I knew the closer I told them to our arrival, the better.
“I’m going to call them soon and let them know.”
A tightness returns to my chest, but Penny pours me a glass of champagne, and we turn our attention to the TV. It drowns my worries, at least for a little bit.