Adley

The other night after Crew invited me to a weekend away at his family's house in the Hamptons, I left Veil East. He didn't press to talk about things between us and I didn't either. The idea of spending time on a beach away from the city sounded like heaven.

The only communication we've had the past few days have been short text messages related to the trip.

He arranged to have a driver take me to the Hamptons. I'm in the car now and although I've spent most of the drive trying to focus on a novel my mom loaned me, I can't remember one word I read.

"Bill?" I call to the driver in the front seat. "Have you ever been to the Hamptons?"

He doesn't take his eyes off the road. "I've never been."

I scrunch my nose as I look at him in the rear view mirror. "I don't know what to expect."

"From what I've heard I think you should expect the opposite of Manhattan."

"So paradise, then?"

"Exactly." He nods briskly. "Use the time wisely. That's what I do every chance I get a break from the day-to-day."

I take a breath before I ask the same question I've already asked three times. "Are we getting close?"

"Closer than the last time you asked." He laughs. "Close your eyes, Adley. Dream a little dream and before you know it, you'll be standing in the doorway of Mr. Benton's home."

***

Holy shit.

I thought Crew's apartment was gorgeous. This place looks like it came out of a catalog for furniture that regular people can never afford.

I'm standing in the entry way with Bill by my side. He called Crew as we approached the winding driveway. I heard him agree to something and when he stopped the car and held open the door for me, I almost lost my breath.

The exterior of the house is breathtaking with shuttered windows and a wraparound deck. The inside surpassed that in spades when Bill opened the unlocked door and stepped aside so I could walk in.

The space is grand with vaulted white ceilings and dark wood beams.

Against the wall opposite the door is a fireplace framed with two large windows that overlook a sandy beach and the Atlantic. 

A sitting area is to the right. There's a sofa and wingback chairs that are all light gray, with accessories in tans and navy blues that brings softness to the space.

Beyond that to the left is an open kitchen with a huge island and polished countertops that complement the white cabinetry.

I look around, taking in every perfect detail.

"Do you like what you see?" Crew's deep voice hits me from behind.

I turn to look at him.

My heart stutters for a beat.

He's wearing a thin white T-shirt and black shorts. His hair is wind-blown. He looks different out here away from the stress that sits on his shoulders in New York.

"It's a beautiful house," I say quickly to stop myself from commenting on how insanely hot he looks right now.

"I was out for a walk." He pats Bill on the shoulder. "You made good time. I wasn't expecting you for another thirty minutes."

Bill picks up my bags and brings them into the foyer. "It's early enough that the traffic was light."

It is early. Once I accepted the fact that I was taking the weekend off, I told Tilly. Between her coughing spurts, she offered to cover my shift from noon on if I agreed to do the same for her next Friday. Dr. Hunt signed off on it without question so I was ready to hit the road by one-thirty.

"Do you need me to come back to pick Adley up on Sunday, sir?"

I fidget on my sandal covered feet, the skirt of my white sundress dancing with the movement. I want to pipe up and say something, but the man works for Crew, not me.

"Crew," he corrects Bill with a smile. "We're heading back Monday and I drove up so you're off the hook."

Bill tosses him a wink. "Right, Crew, it is. If that's all, I'll head back."

"Drive safe." Crew dips his hands in the pocket of his shorts. "I don't have a dollar on me now, Bill, but I'll add it your tip when you take me to the airport on Tuesday."

Bill laughs like it's an inside joke. "Not a problem. You two enjoy the weekend. Remember what I said, Adley."

I nod. I remember exactly what he said. I'll use the time wisely. For the next three days it's me and casual Crew. I have a feeling I'm going to walk out of here a much different person than I am now.