Series: The Laws of Opposite Attract Series by Vi Keeland
Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 12
Alex
“Wow…you look great.”
I’d answered FaceTime to find my smiling stepdaughter. “Are you and Wells going out for your birthday?” she asked.
“Actually, I’m already in New York, upstate for the Ryan’s House project.”
Caitlin wiggled her brows. “Ooh. You’re going to see the hottie? No wonder you look smokin’. You never wear eyeshadow anymore.”
“Is it too much?”
“Hell no. It makes your eyes pop. You should wear it more often. What’s going on with youngblood anyway? You haven’t mentioned him in a while.”
I sighed. I’d thought about talking to Caitlin about Brayden again. The two of us didn’t keep many secrets, especially since her dad died. But something kept stopping me. She’d encouraged me to get back out there, but a part of me wondered if her saying it and me doing it were two different things. Caitlin had revered her dad, and I thought she might feel a bit territorial about me moving on when push came to shove. Or…was I just telling myself that as an excuse to not share because part of me was still ashamed to be dating a guy her age?
Ultimately, both reasons were stupid and not worth risking the open relationship I’d worked so hard to establish with her over the years.
“I’m…” I nibbled my lip. “…going on a date with him tonight.”
Caitlin shrieked so loud, I couldn’t help but smile. “You naughty girl! I love it! Tell me everything about him. The only thing you’ve spilled is that he’s my age. Big whoop-di-doo. I want to know the rest.”
I smiled. “Well, he’s very handsome. Muscular, but lean. But what I like most about him is he’s humble.”
Caitlin rolled her eyes. “Humble bumble. Does he have a six pack?”
I tried not to grin, but failed. “I think it’s more like an eight pack.”
“So you’ve seen him naked already? Go, hot momma!”
I chuckled. “No, I haven’t seen him naked.” While I was sharing, I drew the line at mentioning Brayden’s window peep show. “I went to his room to talk to him once, and he answered without a shirt.”
“So what are you two kids doing tonight that has you all glammed up? Is he taking you somewhere special for your birthday?”
“I haven’t actually mentioned that my birthday is this weekend. But we’re going out to dinner.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Very. We’ve gotten to know each other pretty well over the last month, so it’s not like typical first-date jitters with someone I just met. I think it’s more the prospect of taking our relationship to the next level. I’m not sure what his expectations might be for…after the date.”
“Well, these days most people have sex before they know each other a full month like you guys have. So I suppose you’re overdue.”
My eyes widened.
Caitlin cackled. “Oh gosh. I’m sorry. You look like you might poop your pants. I didn’t mean to make you even more nervous or say anything was expected of you. I just meant if you feel like it’s the right time, it’s not too early.”
“I haven’t…you know…since your dad. I’ve gone on a few dates, but none of them got to that point where we were intimate.”
“Oh wow. It’s been a while, then. Well, I can certainly understand why you’re nervous. But I’m pretty sure it’s like riding a bicycle, just hop on and ride, girl, ride.” She grinned. “Pun intended.”
A few minutes later we were still on the phone when there was a knock at my hotel room door. I took a deep breath. “I think he’s here.”
“I’ll let you go.”
“Alright. I’ll call you tomorrow. Wish me luck!”
“Good luck. Love you, Alex.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
I lowered my phone and started to swipe off, but Caitlin yelled, “Wait!”
I lifted my cell back up. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to say that Dad would want you to be happy. He wouldn’t want you to be alone.”
My eyes welled up. “He was a good man.”
“And it’s not just Dad who wants to see you that way. I do, too, Mom.”
Mom. I had to wipe a rogue tear that escaped. “You’re going to ruin my makeup.”
“Eh. It’s going to get ruined when you’re all hot and sweaty in a little while anyway.” She winked. “Have a great time.”
After I hung up, I took a few deep breaths to compose myself before opening my hotel room door. But any attempt at controlling my emotions flew out the window when I got a look at Brayden. His normally shaggy hair was slicked back in an old-fashioned-movie-star way, and he had on a full suit and tie. He held up a black hat box, stuffed with at least two dozen white roses.
“For you.”
“They’re beautiful.” I touched the petals of one of the flowers. “Wow, are they real?”
He nodded. “They’re preserved roses. Supposed to last a year. I figured you wouldn’t have a vase here, and even if the hotel gave you one, it would be a pain in the ass to take regular flowers home. Plus, if these things last as long as they say they do, you’re going to be reminded of me for a long time to come.”