Page 79 of Someone You Deserve

Willow huffs out a laugh. “Um, yeah. I’m aware. The longer I live here, the more I learn about myself from other people.”

“Really? What are they saying?”

“That Dallas knocked me up and that’s why I’m staying. That I’m on the run from the law and I’m hiding out in Carrington Cove. Or my favorite…that I’m actually one of those undercover bosses and I’m here to shut down Dallas’s restaurant, but I decided to date him first.”

Laughing, I say, “Where the hell do people come up with this stuff?”

“The hell if I know, girl.” Willow shrugs. “Whatever. The important thing is to not let people’s opinions dictate your happiness.”

“I’m not,” I say, moving my attention to some papers on my desk. But Willow stops me and forces me to look at her.

“Astrid…”

“I just need some time, Willow.” I can feel the tears building but I blink them away. “I’m crazy about Penn. In fact, I didn’t know what I was missing. Being with him is…”

“Life-changing,” she finishes for me.

“Yes. But it’s also terrifying. And I need to decide how to talk to him about everything that I’m feeling. I don’t want to mess that up.”

She nods. “Then take your time, but promise me that you’ll be honest with him eventually.”

There was so much I wanted to say last night, so many concerns and thoughts that have been plaguing me. But as soon as he kissed me, the words left my brain. Only after we had sex was I reminded of everything we have to face, but then he told me how long he’s wanted this, how much he cares about me.

I didn’t want to dampen the moment. I didn’t want to ruin the high.

So I kept it all in, letting my anxiety fester yet again. But the orgasms definitely helped me sleep, so there is an upside to all of this.

“I will,” I say, coming back to our conversation.

“Then in the meantime, enjoy all the sex.” She bounces her eyebrows up and down, releasing her hand from my arm.

Giggling, I say, “Oh, believe me. I don’t think that will be a problem.”

She smiles brightly. “I’m so happy for you. Now I bet you can’t wait for Hazel’s passion party, huh?”

I slap my palm to my forehead. “Shit. That’s next Saturday, right?”

“Yup. And then the benefit is two weeks after that.”

“Ugh. And the grand reopening is one week from today, then it’s Thanksgiving. I can’t keep anything straight right now.”

Penn has not only scrambled my emotions, but my sense of time as well.

She reaches out to rub my arm again. “It will be fine. Focus on the reopening right now, and the rest can wait. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah. Do you know someone that can do some printing for me in less than a week?” I say, knowing I need new menus, business cards, and other marketing materials for the reopening with the new name of the bakery.

She takes out her cell phone, her thumbs poised over the screen. “Absolutely. Just tell me what you want and your wish is my command.”

“You’re like my own personal genie.”

“Damn straight. And you don’t even have to rub me the right way to get what you need.”

***

Penn lets out another yawn as he slides his card in front of Lilly. It’s game night and we’re playing Kids Create Absurdity. It’s basically Cards Against Humanity, but a kid-friendly version.

“You okay over there?”

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