Page 57 of The P Arrangement

“Maybe.” He looked at me over his shoulder. “You know what’d make me feel better than that?”

“What’s that?”

“You let me fuck you in the shower. I heard orgasms are great pain relievers.”

* * *

Preston and I managed to make it through the rest of the conference and to the airport in time. This morning had been busy, and with waking up late and our hangovers, I’d failed to enjoy our last morning together.

And now, we were on a plane back home to Minnesota. I knew I couldn’t change the past, but I was mad at myself for getting drunk last night and wasting what little time I’d had left with Preston.

I was trying to focus on the good part. Getting to see Paxton again.

Turning my head to watch Preston nap, I gently picked up his hand and held it while he slept.

I just wished I could have both.

If only my dream last night had been real. If only Preston had really proposed again and I got to go home with him. Sure, it would be messy with our family and friends, but we’d figure it out. Especially if we had each other.

When I closed my eyes, a single tear ran down my face, and I hastily wiped it away.

I was getting caught up in wanting things I couldn’t have again. I’d played the what-if game so many times after I left Preston.What if this had happened? What if that had happened?It only prolonged the pain.

I dropped Preston’s hand and faced my window.

IfI were smart, I wouldn’t put myself through all that again. I needed to stick with my reality because that was where I was living. Preston and I still had our arrangement. And that was going to have to be good enough for now.

Even though, deep down, I knew it wasn’t going to work for us forever.

TWENTY-TWO

PRESTON

Delaney had beenquiet all afternoon. A sense of melancholy seemed to have descended on her, and I hated to see her sad.

I wanted to tell her to come and stay at my house tonight, but I didn’t want to force anything.

“Do you want me to go and pick Paxton up first?” I asked as we drove away from the airport.

“No. Natalie said they just started dinner. I’ll let him eat before I go and pick him up.”

I nodded in understanding, but I was disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing Pax after being away from him so long.

“Do you…”

Taking my eyes off the road, I raised an eyebrow at Delaney.

She chuckled. “When we get to my house, do you want to come in for a bit? Maybe we can order takeout, and I can bring Paxton home so you can see him a little before bed.”

I smiled. “I’d like that.”

She smiled back, and I began planning on how I could stay past our son’s bedtime.

Delaney’s house wasn’t too far from the airport, and since it was Sunday, we made decent time on the drive.

We got her luggage from my truck, and I was a few steps behind her when she suddenly froze just after she reached her front door.

My body went immediately on alert. “What’s wrong?”

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