Page 19 of Waiting Forever
“Not really.” He scratches his neck, looking uncomfortable. “It leads to another fenced-in area and an additional locked gate.”
Now, this seems more in line with how our dads raised us. “Afraid someone will break in?”
“Or break out without my permission.”
“Huh?”
He runs a hand down his face and stares into the garden beyond the windows. “I’m sorry about Harper. She’s, um…”
“Protective.” I watch his expression. “Why didn’t you tell me about her in the car?”
“I didn’t know she’d be here.” He glances at the bag still on my shoulder and takes it from me, setting it on the couch.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” He shakes his head and rolls my suitcase toward a door near the bookcases. “The bathroom and closet are in here.”
He opens the door, revealing a white-and-gray marble bathroom with a soaking tub, walk-in shower, and large vanity. A set of thin double doors is open to a walk-in closet.
“Are you sure this isn’t the master?” I step inside. My room in Dallas had its own bathroom but it was nothing like this.
Nathan chuckles, drawing my gaze to his gleaming smile. White, straight teeth framed by full lips and tan skin. “I’m sure. I’ll show you the master later. You might change your mind about taking it.” His features shift with concern. “Is there anything else you need right now?”
He wants to leave and be with his girlfriend. I get it. “Nope. I’m good. I hope Harper doesn’t give you a hard time about me being here.”
“I’m not worried about her.” He backs out of the bathroom.
I follow him. “You seem worried.”
He stops for a minute and takes me in. “Not about what you think.”
So badly, I want him to stay and tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help. Help them break up.I didnotjust think that.
“I’m going to shower and get the plane germs off me.” I hitch a thumb toward the bathroom, giving him an excuse to leave. I know he wants to.
“Yeah. Okay.” He scratches his chin but doesn’t move.
“Go, Nathan. I’ll be fine. If I need something, I’ll come get you. Okay?” I won’t. He knows I won’t, too.
“I’ll check on you later.” He shuffles toward the door.
“Yep.” I pretend to dig through my bag on the couch. This is weird. Part of me wants to pick up where we left off. Well, not when he blew me off at my birthday party, but before that. I’ve known him my whole life. There’s a familiarity between us. However, another part of me wants to stay far away from him and his life here, which I know nothing about other than he used to live with close friends who he lost six months ago, and he was a manwhore but now he has a girlfriend.
When I look up from my bag, Nathan is gone and the bedroom door is closed.
I lower onto the soft cushions of the couch and let out a breath. The house, I like. The room, I love. The location—far from Dallas and the rumors about me—I double love. The living with Nathan and his snappy girlfriend, I don’t like.
The urge to call my mom and complain has me reaching for my phone. I pull it from my bag and bring up her number.
I don’t call her, though. She’s dealing with a lot, distracting my dad from his vengeance and helping him start up the new office in London. Anything to keep his mind off doing something that could land him in jail for the rest of his life, or worse, the death penalty.
If Mom thinks I’m miserable, she’ll want to come back. Dad will want to come, too. Or they’ll insist I move there. No way.
I decide to text her, so she doesn’t worry.
I’m here! Nathan picked me up, we got food, and I’m settling into my new room. It’s beautiful. I even have a private garden. Thank you for making this happen. I love and miss you. Tell Dad I said hi and that Nathan is taking excellent care of me. Dad has nothing to worry about. Tell him I love him, too. I’m going to soak in the tub in my new bathroom. Hope all is going well in London. Text me when you can.
She’ll probably call but not right away thanks to my comment about taking a bath. She’s good at reading my tone, and I don’t want to come across as sad.
