Page 35 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
“For the rest of the girls’ weekend, we are not wearing bras.”
An involuntary laugh bursts out of me. “Fine by me.”
There’s a rule I’m happy to get behind.
Chapter Nine
Take a Road Trip
The next two weeks pass by quickly in a series of appointments and meetings. I had my teeth cleaned, my annual gynecology appointment, the miracle I like to call Botox injected into my forehead, and my hair trimmed and highlighted.
I’ve seen my parents a lot and even hung out with Scarlet and the kids. I also had a conference call with the Winthrop Foundation’s attorneys. I half wondered if Hart himself would be at the meeting, but none of the family members were present.
I’ve texted with Hart almost every day, but I still haven’t decided about Napa.
I’m settled in a pedicure chair with my feet soaking in hot water, flipping through the book of colors the manicurist handed me when my phone rings.
When I see Hart’s name, I smile. The reaction is automatic, and maybe that should worry me, but it doesn’t. I’m like one of Pavlov’s dogs.
“Hi,” I say, pressing the phone to my ear.
“Hi,” he returns.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Getting ready to play tennis with my friend Isaac. He’s mad at me because I’m not going to a music festival with them this weekend.”
“What is it, Coachella?”
Hart makes a surprised sound. “No. Coachella was a few months ago.”
It was the only music festival I could think of.See, I’m old—I want to say, but I don’t.
“What are you doing?” he asks.
I fill him in on the meeting I had this morning with the attorneys. “And now I’m treating myself to a pedicure.” I select the color—a cherry red—and the manicurist nods. “Why aren’t you going to the music festival?”
“Because,” he draws out the word. “I want to come see you. You never answered me about Napa, by the way.”
I fidget. “I know.”
“Well, will you come and spend the weekend with me?”
For a moment, I don’t say anything. “I’m not sure,” I settle on.
A pause.
“Why?”
Scarlet’s words ring in my head.Is it a fling, or is it something more?
“Because I don’t understand what we’re doing, Hart.” My voice is laced with frustration.
He draws a slow inhale. “I like spending time with you. And as I’ve told you before, I don’t meet many women like you. I think you’re smart and you’re beautiful. And I like you.”
I draw a slow breath.
“And you told me how busy you’re going to get come the first of the year. So let’s just enjoy this until then.”
