Page 52 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
“I’ll text Monty that we’re leaving. He’ll make sure Vaughn gets home.” He rubs one hand over the back of his neck. “I don’t think Isaac will be looking at his phone anytime soon.”
I can’t help but wonder if I weren’t here with him, if he would have stayed, partied ... ended up in the bed of some random girl. It’s not a thought I want to linger on.
We share a cab to my hotel, and Hart holds my hand the entire time—even when he texts back and forth with Monty.
Back in my hotel room, I sit on the edge of the bed and unzip my boots. Hart watches me, leaning one hip against the desk.
“They think I’m a cougar,” I complain.
Hart laughs. “You’re not a cougar. Maybe a cub.”
“I’m acub?” I shake my head. “What does that make you?”
He tilts his chin, considering it. “A snack?”
Laughter bursts from my lips. “Oh, that’s a comforting thought.”
Hart crosses the room and hauls me closer. “I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks, Alessia. Why do you?”
I shrug, lifting one shoulder. It’s a good question. Part of me wishes I didn’t care so much. That I could be the type of person to just lean in to whatever this is and not worry about the consequences.
“Did you tell your friend Scarlet about me?”
I nod, meeting his eyes, wondering how he’ll react to her comments.
“What did she say?”
I bring my lips to his and kiss him once, twice. Slowly. “She was actually all for it. Thought I could use a little fun.” I push away the reminder that Scarlet also said we were at two different stages in life, and the worry in her eyes during our last conversation.
“And she was right,” he says, kissing me again. And then the time for talking is done because getting lost in his kisses is a very good place to be.
Stroking one hand down my neck, he tucks my hair behind my ear, as though pulling himself away with reluctance. “When can I see you again?”
“I’m not sure,” I admit.
It’s another reason why he and I don’t make any sense. We live on different coasts—different continents part of the year. I fear someone’s going to have to be the grown-up in this situation and point that out to him, and I’m terrified that someone is going to have to be me.
Chapter Thirteen
Allow Yourself to Be Vulnerable
In the morning, I wake to the sound of my phone ringing. I grab it from the nightstand and croak, “Hello?”
“Alessia?” Joslyn’s voice startles me.What time is it? Where am I? And why am I so cold?“You sound awful. Are you okay?”
I try to sit up in bed but decide it’s too much effort. “I’m not sure,” I admit. “What’s up?”
I feel completely disoriented. I didn’t drink that much last night, did I? I remember leaving the club ... riding in the cab with Hart back to my hotel. Him kissing me and tucking me into bed.
“It’s 11:00 a.m. your time. You missed your 10:15 one-on-one with David. He called me in a huff wondering if your schedule had changed.”
I blink, trying to make sense of her words. I never sleep this late. Never miss meetings. With effort, I force myself into a seated position in the bed and stare at my phone. She’s right. It’s 11:02, and I have a slew of missed calls and texts. Some from David. A few from Joslyn. Onegood morningtext from Hart. I also slept right through my alarm. My throat feels sore, and my neck aches.
“Can you reschedule David? I think I’m coming down with something.”
“Of course,” she chirps. “Get some rest.”
I make myself get out of bed, and I head to the bathroom to check my toiletry bag for pain reliever, but don’t find any. I pee and glance at my reflection in the mirror. I look pale and tired. I crawl back into bed, deciding it’s the best place for me.
