Chapter 5
On Sunday morning I find it insanely difficult to tear myself away from Bryce to meet Allie for brunch. But since it has been three weeks since I’ve seen my best friend, I know I need to dig deep. Bryce doesn’t make it easier, lounging half-naked on the sofa as I look for my keys, then begging for more kisses as I try to depart.
But finally, I manage to get myself there, where I find Allie already waiting at the restaurant. In stark contrast to the summery outfit she wore last time, she now wears a charcoal grey long-sleeved tunic over thick black tights, her strawberry blond hair hanging in loose waves around her shoulders. And she looks really happy.
“Sera!” she squeals when she sees me, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Hey, babe,” I reply grinning and squeezing her back.
She presses me away to arm’s length and scrutinizes my face. “You’re glowing,” she remarks suspiciously. “I’m guessing things are going well?”
My grin turns maniacal as I follow her in to the restaurant. “You could say that,” I reply coyly.
“Oh lord, you’re going at it like rabbits, aren’t you?” she asks, rolling her eyes as we’re seated at a booth.
I cackle. “Maaaaaybe,” I admit. She shakes her head and laughs.
“I forget what that part of the relationship is like,” she responds. “At least I can relive it vicariously through you.”
“Won’t you be actually living it pretty soon in Fiji?” I tease her.
Allie smiles shyly from behind her menu. “As it happens, even the thought of a romantic vacation has made things a little more exciting recently,” she admits.
“Oh, really?” I ask. “How much more exciting?” I’m teasing her mostly, since I know she’s too shy about that sort of thing to actually tell me.
She laughs and waves me off. “It’s probably not as exciting as I’m making it sound. Mostly things are back to how they were before,” she replies. “When you live with someone and have regular access, it’s just not as interesting, even at the best of times.”
I suddenly realize I didn’t tell Allie that Bryce and I are living together. And unfortunately, I’m not able to wipe the guilty look off my face before she notices.
“What are you hiding?” she asks sharply.
“God, Allie, I forget what a bloodhound you are,” I mumble. Thankfully, the waiter shows up to take our orders, so I have a moment to regroup.
When he’s gone, I sigh heavily and approach the subject cautiously. “You know how I told you I had personal security because the people who are after Alessandro are trying to get at him through me?”
“Yes,” she replies, clearly unsure of where I’m going with this.
“And how having them around made me isolate myself?” I continue. Allie nods, but waits for me to continue with a wary look on her face. “Well, Bryce agreed to let me back off the security to just to and from work, but only if he moved in with me.” I brace myself.
“So you and Bryce are living together. And going at it like rabbits,” she deduces drily. I nod. She looks at me disapprovingly for a moment before sighing and shrugging. “Well, at least that gives you easy access.”
“It’s not permanent,” I hedge.
“Pfff,” Allie responds. “We’ll see.” She looks at the nervous expression on my face. “Oh, Sera, don’t worry about what I think. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me. You know that.”
“Thank you,” I reply. “But in some ways, it even feels fast to me.”
She levels a look at me. “You know, don’t you.” It’s not really a question, and I’m not sure what she means.
I give her a puzzled look. “I know a lot of things,” I reply slowly. “To what, exactly, are you referring?”
“That he’s The One.” She says it matter-of-factly, like she’s just remarked that I know he likes to wear blue shirts.
I chew on my lip, trying to decide if I should attempt a denial. But in true Allie form, she sees right through me before I can even get that far.
“If you haven’t realized it yet, that’s fine,” she replies airily, sipping the glass of water in front of her. “But I’ve known for a long time.”
And I can’t help but laugh at that. “Seriously? You knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him before I did?” I reply sarcastically. And then realizing what I’ve just admitted, I clap a hand over my mouth.
Allie grins triumphantly. “See? That wasn’t so hard,” she says with a wink. “I’m happy for you.”
“I’m happy too,” I admit. “Ridiculously, rainbows-sunshine-and-unicorns happy.” Allie laughs, though her attention is quickly diverted as our food arrives.
After a few minutes of silently stuffing our faces, Allie swallows enough of her food to continue the discussion.
“Is he as hot with his shirt off as he is with it on? No wait, of course he is. I’m sure he’s even hotter. How much hotter are we talking here?” she presses.
“It hurts thinking about it,” I reply with a lascivious grin. She lets out a frustrated groan.
“What’s wrong with this guy then? Is he …” she leans forward and lowers her voice, “lacking in the size department?”
“Allie!” I reply, shocked. “I’ve never heard you talk about this stuff, much less ask those kinds of questions.” I examine her for a moment. “What happened?”
She blushes furiously. “I went off the depression meds,” she admits. I give her a concerned glance. “At the suggestion of my therapist. And it’s been great. I’m great. I feel alive again. So I guess things have just started working again.” She grins like a school girl.
I almost want to cry with happiness. “That’s so great,” I breathe. Then after a pause, “Does this mean you might come back to work?”
She presses her lips together. “I think so,” she replies. “After vacation, David and I are going to decide.” I want to jump up and hug her, or clap, or dance. But I hold it in, not wanting to pressure her. But I think she gets how happy that makes me anyway. “Now, are you going to answer the question or what?”
A shit-eating grin splits my face. “Exactly the opposite of lacking,” I reply, biting my lip thinking of it. “His only flaw is being too fucking perfect.”
Allie laughs. “Yeah, we’ll see about that. Let this phase wear off and every time he forgets to replace the toilet paper roll or pick up groceries on his way home, you’ll be ready to tear his head off,” she assures me.
I laugh in return. “Probably,” I agree. “And not that I’ve ever been in a relationship long enough to know, but I’m sure you get past that phase too.”
Allie nods sagely. “Oh, yes. Once he’s realized that everyone is much happier if he just stops doing things that piss you off,” she replies.
I look at her skeptically. “Seriously?” I ask.
Allie bursts out laughing. “Hell, no. You just give up after a while and stop giving a shit,” she chortles. “And it’s great.”
“Ah, such high praise and hope for the romantic future I have ahead of me,” I reply with feigned wistfulness. But then, dropping back into my usual tone, “Consider me warned. I’m going to enjoy the going-at-it-like-rabbits phase while I can.”
“Then you better finish those waffles,” she replies looking pointedly at my mostly uneaten food. “Sounds like you’re going to need your strength.”
At home later that evening, while Bryce and I are lazing in bed — dressed and watching television, for once — my dad calls. I show Bryce the caller ID.
“You going to answer?” he asks curiously, stroking my thigh reassuringly.
I shrug. “Might as well,” I reply. While I feel readier to deal with it now, I’m not sure when, if ever I’ll be totally comfortable talking to my father, as he was absent for so long and for some reason has picked this tumultuous time in my life to want to reconnect. The single lunch we shared was awkward enough. I’m not sure how many more uncomfortable conversations I can handle.
“Want me to leave?” Bryce asks considerately.
“No, it’s okay,” I reply with a smile. I take a deep breath and pick up the call. “Hello?”
“Sera,” Kent Evans’ voice breathes in a sigh. “I’m so glad you answered. I was starting to get worried about you.” I roll my eyes.
“I’m fine,” I reply. “There’s just been a lot going on. How was your business trip?”
“Productive. But I’m glad to be back home,” he replies genially. “What’s been going on there?” I glance over at Bryce, not sure if I want to get into it with both men able to listen.
“You know, I was just getting ready for bed,” I fib. “How about we have lunch next weekend and we can talk about it?”
“Yeah? Are you sure? I mean, I’d love to see you, but I was worried after Hunter and I cancelled at the last minute before.” As if I needed a reminder that my half-brother clearly has no interest in meeting me.
“It’s okay, really,” I interrupt. “I’d probably have done the same in his shoes.”
“He feels bad about it,” Kent replies. I’m shocked, and skeptical, but he sounds sincere. So, he believes it, anyway. “He said that he’d come next time, but only if you were okay with it.” I frown at the obviously manipulative tactic. Because if I say no, now I’m the asshole. And I’m sure he expects me to say no, or he wouldn’t have made the offer.
“Of course I’m okay with it,” I lie. Bryce gives me a look. I know he can’t hear Kent’s side of the conversation, but Bryce knows a lie when he hears one.
“Well! That’s great, Sera,” he replies, sounded beyond happy and relieved. “Same time and place?”
“Yep,” I respond, eager to hang up. “See you next Saturday at noon.”
“Goodnight, Sera.”
“Goodnight, Kent.” I hang up and groan loudly.
Bryce smirks unreservedly. “So I’m meeting your dad next weekend, huh?” I shoot him a glare.
“I’m going by myself,” I respond snappishly. And I immediate feel bad for it. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I suggested we have lunch. Ugh. But it really is something I’d rather do on my own.”
Bryce gives me a patient look. “I hate to break it to you, but I’m either meeting your dad, or you get to explain why Tristan has to stand within three feet of you at all times,” Bryce replies. “Your call.”
My eyes widen with realization. “Why did I get to go by myself to meet Allie today then?” I ask petulantly.
“Because it was three blocks away, and it’s Allie,” he replies drily. “But I can’t let you go across town to meet a man I don’t know by yourself.”
“Fuck,” I swear. Bryce laughs.
“I’ll behave, I promise,” he says, still chuckling.
“They’re probably going to like you more than they like me,” I grouse. Bryce smiles his sunshine smile, and I immediately find it’s impossible for me to be cranky any longer. I pick up my pillow and whack him with it. “Stop.” Whack. “Being.” Whack. “So.” Whack. “Perfect.” Whack. “Damnit!”
Bryce shields himself half-heartedly from each blow, and on my last swing captures both me and the pillow. He throws the pillow off the side of the bed and pins me under him, planting kisses all over my face. I squeal and wriggle in protest, ultimately dissolving into indignant giggles.
But he abruptly pulls away after a moment. “Wait. They?” he asks.
I sit up, adjusting my camisole. “They,” I confirm. “My father and my half-brother.”
Bryce leans back into his pillow with his arms behind his head, considering that. “Well, that ought to be interesting,” he replies thoughtfully.
“You promised to behave,” I remind him. He shoots me a sly grin.
“Oh, I’ll behave. At lunch anyway,” he replies. “But I make no promises until then.” I only have a split second after I realize he plans to resume his attack to get away, but I’m not fast enough. Not that I mind since, as always, it quickly evolves into much more naked and pleasurable play.