Page 38 of Letting You Go

“Why do you think I didn’t tell you that until now?”

“Jackson!” She giggled, taking a sip of her coffee, then shaking her head in disbelief.

I smiled and then took a sip of my hot coffee. “I say we start at brunch. I think we could go together but pretend to run into each other just outside of the room, and we go in together. We can sit together as well.”

“I don’t know, Jackson. They are going to know.”

I shook my head. “No, they won’t.”

Bailey looked at me, completely unconvinced, but still held that curious little smile on her face. I’d always found that smile so adorable when she thought I was being totally ridiculous.

“They will know.” She repeated. “They will know because I made a deal out of everything whenever it came to you.”

I met her eyes. “Well now, that was just a silly thing to do, but don’t worry about it.” I winked. “They won’t know.”

“All right, we will try it your way, but when they know, I’m sending them to you,” Bailey answered.

Bailey

I shut the water off and stepped out of the shower. I grabbed the towel that hung on the hook and wrapped myself up in the plush terry cloth. I felt sick to my stomach. Why had I agreed to this ridiculousness that Jackson had proposed?

I looked at myself in the mirror and swallowed hard. I even looked sick, and I knew that the second Cara looked at me, she’d know something was up. I looked at myself one more time, took a deep breath and grabbed another towel, this time drying my hair.

It was no use; she’d take one look at me, and I’d have to tell her everything. I looked less stressed than I had in years. I looked at peace. He’d had his hands on me one night, one night, and he’d done this. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. I didn’t have much time. I reached for my cell phone and typed a message to Jackson, then stopped and re-read it. My finger hovered over the send button, my stomach rolled and without even thinking another thought, I deleted the message.

I walked over to the closet and pulled out the outfit I’d brought for this morning.

“Damn him.” I muttered to myself.

I was just about to return to the bathroom when my cell phone vibrated on the bed. I glanced over to see a message from Cara there. I grabbed my phone, hoping and praying that he may be my way out of going to brunch with Jackson.

CARA: Hey, sorry to do this. We are going to be a little late this morning ;) Last night was just a little too good (if you catch my drift)

I shook my head. My stomach was now rolling with nerves. I got her message loud and clear and swallowed hard as I thought about my night in paradise.

CARA: Don’t you have anything to say to that ;)

BAILEY: Stop your bragging. ;)

I smiled and threw my phone down on the bed, only to see another message pop up.

CARA: Not bragging. Speaking facts. You be okay to get there on your own.

BAILEY: Sure, I’ll find it. I’m a big girl. ;) Take your time.

CARA: We will. Just heading to the shower now ;)

BAILEY: Oh gross. I don’t want all the meaty details.

CARA: Well, I do…going to stuff his salami inside of me now.

My face heated at her comment. I’d never be able to look at Ryan the same way now. I threw my phone down on the bed and was about to head into the bathroom to do my hair and makeup when someone knocked on my door.

I didn’t think about the towel I was wearing, and pulled the door open without checking who it was first. It was then I met his blue eyes as they danced down my towel clad body.

“If you don’t want them to wonder what’s up, I think you may want to put on a little more.” He winked.

“Sorry, I didn’t think you’d be here already. I just got out of the shower and was about to get dressed…”

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