Page 87 of Broken Dreams
“Am I ready?” I ask, because maybe she knows.
“Addy, you don’t have to. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” She places Elodie down. “Can you go set up your doll house for us and I’ll come there in a few minutes?”
“Dolls!” Elodie yells and rushes out of my room.
I shake my head, trying to dispel the panic in my chest. “I didn’t even think about it. I mean, we’ve kissed and done a little petting. Do they call it that still? It’s so weird. Anyway, since the other night when he took care of my drunk ass, he hasn’t tried. He wouldn’t be expecting it, would he?”
Chloe comes to me, taking my hands in hers. “No, babe. No one calls it petting. It’s messing around, but...not the point. Considering that Grady understands and is in the exact place you are, I don’t think he would expect anything. I shouldn’t have said anything and I’m sure that he will never push you. It’s clear how much he cares about you and Elodie. You guys said you’re taking it slow, and maybe he got you your own room and this is a moot point...”
He’s never even alluded to it, especially since, while others are buying this budding love, we both know it’s not true. Also, I didn’t even think to ask about the room and she’s probably right.
There’s no reason not to have sex, but then there’s no reason why we would. Other than I really, really want to.
I nod once, putting my fears aside, and release her hands. “You’re right. Okay. Pack for sleeping though.”
“What time will he be here?” she asks, looking at the clock.
“He has to read to Jett around seven and then he was coming right here.”
So, about five minutes. Great.
She helps me fold everything and put it in my overnight bag. The party is at nine and the flight should take about forty minutes. It would be a six-hour drive otherwise, so this was definitely the better way to go. Plus, the whole point of Grady’s business is to show the convenience of having a plane and pilot for just this reason.
However, the idea of flying with him has me a little freaking terrified. I don’t like flying in general, let alone in a small plane.
“I think you have everything,” Chloe says, looking at the bag once more.
“Thank you for watching her.”
“It’s nothing. Have fun and...look, be honest. If you’re not ready, don’t convince yourself you are. Grady should understand that.”
I nod, because if I open my mouth, the truth might spill, and I have another week of this charade that I need to keep up. Chloe has a big mouth and she’ll tell Devney, which will lead to issues for my Rose Canyon adventure. Plus, he still doesn’t have his money secured.
So, until then, lips closed.
My phone pings.
Grady
I’ll be there in two minutes.
Shit.
“He’s almost here,” I explain to Chloe.
We grab the bags and I head to Elodie’s room. I brush her blond hair back as she moves her dolls around. “You be a good girl, okay?”
“I will,” she answers in her sweet little voice.
“I’ll be home tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
My heart aches at the idea of being away from her for the night, but I need to go. “I love you, Els.”
She wraps her little arms around me. “I wub you, Mommy.”
I squeeze her tight, kiss her temple, and stop in front of Chloe. “No candy, cookies, or any other crap she asks for.”
