Do you think this is the only time I’m going to do something like this? I’ve told you before, this is only the beginning …
Ridge
I’ve been staring at my phone all morning, waiting for you to text me. I’m on fucking pins and needles over here, Addison. Tell me the meeting with your principal is over.
Me
Sorry, it just ended. I popped into his office during my lunch break. That was the only time he had available today.
Ridge
And?
If you tell me he has an issue with us and your job is in jeopardy, I’ll go into his office myself and have a chat with him. Because you’re not losing your job over us dating—I’m telling you that right now.
Me
He was pleased that I came in and discussed things even though I’m not contractually obligated to tell him anything. He just appreciated the transparency in case something does come up, that way, he’s prepared and not completely taken off guard.
The only thing he did say was that if things end between us and either you or Jana wants her moved to a different teacher, then he would address things then. A plan would then be made and followed. Aside from that, he was pretty indifferent about our situation.
Ridge
That’s never going to happen.
Me
Daisy changing classrooms?
Ridge
Us breaking up.
Me
Melting. <3
THIRTY-TWO
Ridge
I’d told Addison to dress comfortably; the flight to Edinburgh was going to be a long one. But when the driver took me to her apartment to pick her up and she walked out to the SUV, wearing yoga pants, a sports bra, and a zip-up sweatshirt that hung off her shoulders, revealing her bare stomach, I knew I was going to have a hard time keeping my hands off her. There was something about an athletic look on that woman that I just couldn’t get enough of.
Hell, I couldn’t get enough of her period.
And now that the secret was out and Jana was cool with it, I could spend much more time with Addison. Many of those occasions involved Daisy, where Addison would come over in the evenings to have dinner with us and on the weekends when we spent time at the barn. A few nights ago, she’d gotten on one of the horses, and I watched her ride with my daughter, the two of them laughing and smiling.
It’d brought me so much fucking joy.
I knew Scotland was going to be no different. An experience I was really looking forward to, especially getting Addison all to myself for this entire flight until we landed and the chaos of the long weekend started.
As soon as she climbed in, I pulled her toward the middle, holding her body against mine while we rode to the airport. My lips found the side of her head, and I breathed her in.
“I can’t wait to see you in that dress.”
She turned her head toward me. “It makes me feel like a princess when I wear it. I hope they’re getting married in a castle. That would be so fitting.”
I ran my thumb over her cheek. “They love Edinburgh so much that they bought a house there, and that’s where they’re getting married. The wedding is going to be small and intimate. Nothing like you’re imagining. Immediate family, the partners, and a handful of friends.”