Chapter Twenty-Six
Everly
My suitcase wouldn’t close all the way. I sat on it again and tried to zip it shut, but there was too big of a lump in the middle that was keeping me from getting it zipped. I groaned and opened it for the hundredth time, trying to decide if I was bringing too many clothes, or if my suitcase was just too small. I had no idea how to pack for a weekend in Vegas. Did I bring only business clothes? Or should I bring a dress in case we go to a show? It was cold in Seattle, with nights that felt like a freezer, but what was the temperature in Vegas like? I had always assumed it was hot, it was a desert after all, but after a quick Google search, I had learned that the temperature changed often. I had blouses, sweaters, shorts, leggings, and several dresses stuffed into the suitcase, along with shoes of all styles and more makeup that I would ever need.
Why was I so anxious for this trip? What was I expecting to happen? I had added a piece of lingerie that I hadn’t worn in years to the pile very suddenly, and I picked up the soft satin and second-guessed myself. It probably didn’t fit anyways. And even if it did, what was I wearing it for? I had already arranged my own room.
Lacey and Belle arrived as I was repacking the suitcase. I’d learned that you could roll things up, but hesitated on certain items. The last thing I needed was my clothes to be a mess.
My sister walked in and looked around as if trying to find clues. To what, I wasn’t sure. “When do you leave?” Lacey asked. She still wasn’t entirely okay with the trip, but that was to be expected from an older sister.
I went to the bedroom and brought out my overstuffed suitcase to continue my battle of zipping it shut. “Tomorrow,” I said. “We get back late Sunday.”
“And you’re already packed?” Lacey raised an eyebrow at my bulky luggage. Maybe this guy is good for you after all. I’ve never seen you so responsible.”
I rolled my eyes and struggled with the zipper, having no luck.
“You’re channeling our mother again. I just want to make sure I have everything ready,” I said. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning, and I don’t want to leave anything to chance.”
“You’re nervous,” Lacey said. “Why are you so nervous? You said yourself this was a business trip.” She regarded me with a smirk, as if she could see right through me.
I sighed, my shoulders slumping in defeat. “It is. But, I don’t know Lace. The money is good, like, so good. I’ve never been paid this much in my life, and I don’t think I’ll ever be paid this much. But things are starting to get complicated, and I’m not sure what this is anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Lacey asked. Belle entertained herself with the TV in the living room as Lacey took a seat on my bed.
“I’m starting to like him. Like, really like him. I didn’t think I’d get feelings for this guy, but our dinners are starting to feel like dates. It feels like we’re dating, but we’re not. And I don’t know what we are.” I guessed that’s what bothered me most of all, not knowing what we were and where it would lead. Did it have the potential to be a normal, healthy relationship? What did that even mean anymore? Most relationships are dysfunctional in some way or another.
“At least you seem to be cautious about this, which makes me feel much better about the situation,” Lacey said. “And you should be cautious. Everly, our family has a pretty bad track record with relationships already, and the fact that he’s your boss makes the odds even worse. This weird relationship you have is already way unbalanced.”
In more ways than one. “I know, that’s why I’m nervous,” I said. “But there’s something special about him. It’s hard to explain it, but I just know he’s special with every ounce of my soul.”
“I said the exact same thing once,” Lacey said. I frowned. She was right; I do remember her saying that her ex-husband was special. “And look at how that ended.”
“I know. I’m just starting to think that maybe every guy is different? I can’t spend the rest of my life judging every man based on your failed relationship.” The words sounded much harsher than I meant them, but it was true. If I lived my life afraid to give every man a chance based on my sister’s past mistakes, I’d die a spinster.
“And what about his kid? You were dead set against them.” Lacey glanced in Belle’s direction. “Though I’d be lying if I said I’ve not been praying that you’d change your mind. Kids are wonderful.”
“I don’t know. I haven’t hung out with Abby that much, to be honest.” I pictured the sweet little girl in my mind. Her bright eyes were full of wonder and her behavior was far above average for most kids her age, from what little I had seen. “I don’t know. This is all so confusing.” I closed the suitcase with Lacey’s help.
“What about your old job at Saint Padres?” she asked. “You can get that back, right?”
“I think,” I said, holding my tongue.
“I’m fairly certain you can. So, when this doomed relationship fails,” I glared at her, and she held up her hands. “I’m sorry, if it fails, you have a backup job. You won’t be totally screwed.”
“Thanks,” I said. Lacey shrugged and walked over to join Belle on the couch. If only Lacey was more supportive, but she’d been nothing if not vocal about her opposition to Maddox. I wondered if she was right; would I be totally screwed if this relationship failed? Maybe, but I knew in my heart I’d be forever regretful if I didn’t at the very least give it a try.
My phone began ringing, and Belle retrieved it from the kitchen and handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I patted her head and answered the phone.
“Everly, hello,” Maddox said on the other line. His voice brought a smile to my face.
“Oh, hi, Maddox. I was just getting ready for the weekend,” I said, and caught Lacey glaring at me from the corner of my eye. I retreated into my room and closed the door behind me. “What’s up?” I walked over and lowered myself to the bed.
“I just had some time in between work here, so I figured I’d call you. I’m starting to get a little impatient with this day. I’m beyond excited to spend some time with you away from the stress of work and my kitchen.”
“Me too,” I said honestly. “It’ll be fun. At least when you’re not in your meetings.”
“Speaking of those.” He paused, and I heard him typing away on his computer. He must have been extremely busy to be working while talking on the phone. “I put some of your spending cash in your account, along with next week’s payment. An advance, if you will, so that you can have fun some on your own while I’m in my meetings.”
His generosity was overwhelming, and a girl could certainly get used to it. “Oh, thank you, you didn’t have to do that,” I said, flabbergasted. How much money did I have? I wasn’t particularly fond of gambling; what was I going to spend it all on? I’d have to check my account status and get my balance so I’d know what kind of budget I’d be looking at.
“Well, I figured you’d want to spend some time at the top restaurants in the area, and they don’t come cheap.” He let out a long breath. “Plus, there’s several shows this weekend that I thought you might be interested in. I’m hoping we can see some together, but these meetings tend to overstay their welcome at times. This way, I won’t be worried about your boredom.”
“Something tells me it’s very hard to be bored in Las Vegas,” I said. He chuckled lightly, and I closed my eyes. How was it possible to miss someone’s laugh so much?
A woman’s voice spoke in the background, sounding angry and demanding Maddox’s attention. He muttered the name Jackie and something about being inconsiderate and apologized to me on the phone.
“I should get back to work,” he said. “I’ll pick you up around 8 tomorrow.”
“I’ll be ready,” I said, and we both hung up at the same time. It felt as if we had just agreed on a date.
I was still smiling at my phone when Lacey opened my door.
“That’s a stupid smirk on your face,” she said. Belle looked over from behind Lacey’s waist and smiled. “I haven’t seen it there in a long time, and I’m afraid I already know what it means.”
“Are you in love?” Belle asked. I blushed and slipped my phone into my pocket.
“No, Belle,” I said. “It’s a bit too soon for that. Did your mom tell you to ask that?”
Belle shook her head.
“I can’t help it if my kid calls it as she sees it,” Lacey said. “Maybe you shouldn’t act so lovestruck if you wanted to keep it a secret.”
“There’s no secret.” I groaned and lifted myself from the bed. “And teasing me isn’t going to do anything.”
“Everly,” Lacey said in a serious tone. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Of course,” I said. I wanted to tell her that there was no reason to worry about my feelings; Maddox was a good person who wouldn’t hurt me. But even in my head, I couldn’t tell if I was trying to convince her, or myself.