I skipped out of the office a little early and am driving to meet Madeline Callaway at a house she wants to show me in Hancock. I’m looking forward to seeing it and also her, since I’m wondering if she knows about Delaney and me “dating.” I’ve been fucking restless as hell all week, mainly due to the trifecta of women I’m dealing with—one I chose to act with me, one who’s being chosen for me, and one who’s choosing to act like a bitch. Nothing new for the last one; this is my mother we’re talking about, after all. But she’s stepped up her game since the night at the winery, making it very clear that she’s furious as fuck about Delaney while loading up my schedule with all things Portia. Tonight, I’m picking her up at the airport. This weekend, showing her around Bar Harbor. And for the duration of her stay here, take her under my wing to learn the business, like she’s an intern and I’m her mentor. We all know how that’s turned out in the past with me and interns. But no way in hell that’s happening this time.

If someone could figure out how to keep sex from complicating the shit out of things, I’d appreciate it. The more I’m around Delaney, the more I want her. Bad. That sext Saturday night was a definite game-changer. She surprised me by asking; I shocked her with my answer, and now we’re both seeing each other as a little more real, you could say, than we have before. Not only is she the hottest girl I’ve ever seen, she’s funny as hell with just the right amount of sass. I like how she can keep me on my toes, although I’ve spent plenty of time imagining being off my feet, with her. Given how she gets to me, that’s going to involve plenty of risks, which is what I wanted to avoid in the first place. I’ve always been able to keep sex and emotion in two separate jars. Delaney, though, with her killer combination of sexy and feisty, has knocked over those jars so that everything’s spilled and blended together, leaving me thinking I should really try to clean it up...but instead, I’m just watching it soak in.

There’s obviously a reason she’s so jumpy and cautious when it comes to being touched. And I realize it’ll further complicate things if I try to get to the bottom of it—it’s none of my business, for Christ’s sake—but it’s more about wanting to know so I can figure out how to help her.

That’s what stops me in my tracks. Why the fuck do I want to help her?

It goes beyond wanting to make her feel good, which has always been my goal with women. It’s wanting her to overcome whatever it is that’s holding her back from letting go, so she can enjoy being touched like people are meant to enjoy it.

Madeline as her best friend is clearly protective of her, indicative of what she had me promise—to treat her right. And I will, definitely.

But selfishly? Jesus, do I want her. It’s just got to be on her terms.

I turn onto Singing Woods Lane. You can’t see a lot of the houses from the road—they’re way down on the water. This property has four acres and 500 feet of frontage—it’d be nice to have more privacy than The Condom’s setup. Price tag is pretty hefty at three mill, but YOLO and all that. And I plan on being in this next house for a long time.

The driveway’s long and winding. Madeline’s on the front porch and gives me a wave as I pull in. I already like the cottage style with the weathered-shingles look.

She’s got her hair up in a loose bun (not yanked back in Gloria style, thank God), looking sharp in a pale blue trench coat with a black briefcase in her hands. She’s classy and professional but down-to-earth—the type of person you instantly like. I’m picturing her and Delaney having a girls’ night and giggling like a couple of teenagers, and it makes me smile inside as I step up onto the porch.

“So, Damon— it’s a little cold and cloudy today, but you have to picture this place with all the trees leafed out and the sun pouring in the windows.”

“Like how those real estate ads always say ‘sun-drenched living room?’”

“Exactly.”

“I can do that—I’m good at using my imagination.” And Jesus, am I ever—especially when it comes to X-rated fantasies involving a certain blonde. That’s taken up a good deal of my down time lately.

Madeline hands me the paperwork on the house and then takes me on a tour of the first floor. I like the open concept: vaulted ceilings in the living room, and even on this gray day, the white walls make it seem bright and airy. There’s a lot of glass and a kickass view of the water. And a huge stone hearth with a thick area rug in front of it. Christ, I feel like a creeper for picturing me being on top of Delaney on that rug while I’m standing here with her BFF, but that’s exactly where my thoughts go. Actually, pornographic real estate ad copy might be a good sales tactic: Living room with stunning stone hearth and radiant floor heating, perfect for banging your lover in front of a crackling fire.

I follow Madeline into the kitchen. White cabinets, light hardwood floor and gray-speckled granite countertops with a unique-looking, mosaic-style backsplash. Madeline runs her hand along the top of the gleaming granite on the island. “Great set-up for entertaining in here.”

Amenities include huge island with granite top, ideal for bending your lover over and fucking her before dinner.

We check out the upstairs. The master bedroom has lots of glass, a locker-room size shower (bench-style seating, optimal for going down on your lover) and a walk-out upper level deck with a view of the ocean. Even in early April, it’s stunning.

I like this place.

“What are you thinking?” Madeline’s smiling, like she already knows.

Definitely not going to share my thoughts about what I’d like to do to her friend in this house. “I can picture myself here.”

“Two more perks for you to consider...it’s the last house on a dead-end road, and the land abuts a nature conservancy.”

“Nice.”

“Take a little time to think about it, and let me know if you want to write up an offer. Just don’t take too long if you think you want it, because I doubt it’ll be on the market long.”

“I don’t need any time. Let’s make an offer on it.”

“Well there, then. That was fast.”

“I’m the type of guy who knows what I want.”

Madeline gives me a quick smile—a knowing smile—and I can guess what she’s thinking. I beat her to the punch. “Delaney and I have started seeing each other.”

“Yes...she told me.”

“I really like her—her spunk and her sweetness.”

Madeline seems pleasantly surprised by what I said. “I’m glad you see both of those. She’s very special.” Her eyes are searching mine in a silent plea.

“I haven’t forgotten what you said, Madeline. About treating her right.”

“Good. Thank you. And just so you’ll know, I’m going to have to tell her sometime about me getting her to New Moon. I can’t have any lies between us.”

There’s a little poke in my gut there, because Madeline is completely unaware that her BFF is not telling her the truth about our arrangement. Ah, shit—I really don’t like the idea of potentially causing a rift between friends.

“That’s fine if you tell her. It’s all good.” 

“Thanks.” She’s looking a little more relaxed now as we go back downstairs. We discuss my offer in the kitchen, she tells me about the current interest in The Condom, and I’m feeling really good about this. I’ll hang on to this when my guts start churning in a few hours with the arrival of Portia Bellamy.  I’ll be at the airport in T-minus two hours thirty minutes.

“This house is one of my favorites, honestly. I think you’re smart to jump on it.” Madeline snaps shut her briefcase and starts to button her trench coat.

“When you know something feels right, why wait?”

“I agree. I’ll be in touch once I hear from the buyer, and I’ll let you know when an offer comes in on your condo.” We step out onto the porch, and she locks the door behind us, then looks up at me. “I just realized I may be seeing you socially, since you and Delaney are dating.”

“Very true. I look forward to it.” Hopefully, Sprite and I can pull that off. It’s one thing to fool my mother, but it’s another when it’s your best friend who knows you well. We’ll see. I definitely don’t have to fake my attraction, and with the way Delaney’s been responding to me, maybe she won’t struggle with hers, either. 

* * * *

I check the electronic display board for the arrival time of American Airlines flight #4693. She’s about fifteen minutes away. Bangor International Airport is small and quiet with only six gates, and I take a seat across from a sixty-ish woman who’s knitting. I’m regretting the cup of coffee I just had; I’m already amped up enough, thinking not only about meeting Portia, but having to drive her for an hour and a half to her Bar Harbor apartment. I’ve got the key for her, and I’m only planning on helping her bring in her bags, make sure she’s settled, and leave. I’ll be friendly to Portia, help her learn about the company, but otherwise I’m staying as far the fuck away from her as possible. And it starts tonight.

I check my phone. I haven’t heard from my make-believe girlfriend since we texted on Saturday night. I didn’t want to pressure her and thought I’d leave the ball in her court, but she’s apparently reluctant to play.

I’m thinking it’s time for a little one-on-one scrimmage. And getting playful will help me de-stress. I swipe my finger across the phone screen and tap on the text icon. Makes me smile again, looking at her last message.

Waiting for my future wife’s plane to arrive.

I wait a minute for her reply.

And texting your fake girlfriend to pass the time. Your marriage sounds very promising.

It is. Have you been doing some thinking?

Constantly.

Would any of this thinking involve touching yourself?

There’s a pause. I’m grinning, imagining her blushing and drawing her lips together the way I’ve seen her do when she’s pissed but not really.

Yes...I was just laying in bed watching a movie and wishing you were here with me. I was picturing you taking me from behind.

Fuck. Jesus, I totally didn’t expect that, and my cock’s responding. I look up to see the knitting woman staring at me like she knows what’s going on in my pants. I’m just about to text back asking for more details when I get another message from Delaney.

I’m practicing my faking. How’d I do?

Totally. Burned.

Okay, got to give her props on that, and I can’t keep from breaking into a laugh, knowing Sprite’s probably cracking up, too. The knitter’s smiling along with me like she’s part of it, her eyes darting up and down from my face to her knitting needles.

I’m concocting a reply when I notice people standing up and walking over to Gate 4, which is where Portia is supposed to arrive. I look over at the display board and can see that her plane has landed. Shit.

I don’t know if I’m more bummed about having to meet the Bellamy Marine princess or having to stop texting with Delaney. Toss-up.

A+ for making me hard and making me laugh. In that order. Got to go, forced fiancée has arrived. Talk soon.

I’m about to slip my phone in my pocket when I get the urge to send one last text.

I want to see you.

Same. For real.

Standing up, I watch the reunions at Gate 4, feeling like I’m in the opening scene from Love Actually. Except I’m not meeting anyone I even like. A steady stream of passengers, and then I see her. Tall, thin, wearing a white blouse and short black skirt that shows off her legs. She’s even prettier than her picture, her hair swinging at her shoulders like black silk. I force myself to lift my hand and wave. Her face lights up with a big smile like she’s glad to see me, while I’ve got a bunch of F-words lining up in alliteration inside my head.

Full of foreboding fending off a female for four months.

FUCK.