“I think I already mentioned that I’m sort of a pro when it comes to seafood,” I said. “It’s probably the only thing I’ve ever been confident about.”
“That took a bit of a sad turn.” He popped another bite into his mouth and swallowed. “But I can assure you that you’re a pro at just about everything we’ve cooked. Although your desserts could probably use some work.”
“We’ve only made like, two desserts,” I argued, and he chuckled. “Oh, you’re joking.”
He released a soft chuckle. “Of course I am. You’re a naturally talented chef.” His compliment made my shoulders square, but I tucked my chin to not seem as proud as he made me feel.
“I don’t think it was natural, but thank you.” I had never given a sincerer thank you in my life, but that’s what he did to me. He made me feel wonderful. In more ways than one.
Just as we were finishing our meal, Maddox retreated into a room tucked into the corner of the dining room. I tried peering inside, but it was long and dark, and the breeze that brushed gently across my arms which had come from that direction was much cooler. He soon returned with a bottle of wine and poured each of us a glass.
“That’s where you hide them.” I swirled the wine in my glass and noted the rich color. “I was beginning to think there was some sort of secret basement.”
“Nothing secret about this,” he said and took a sip. I hesitated. Drinking with your boss during dinner wasn’t exactly a responsible thing to do, or appropriate. It was a thought that my sister had planted in my mind, and I wanted to give her a swift kick in the behind for making me second-guess everything. Maddox seemed to recognize my hesitation. “I’m sorry about before.”
“For what?” I asked, and then realized he meant our night together. “Oh, it’s okay.” I’d never had anyone apologize to me about having sex with me. I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or not, but one look at Maddox put me at ease. He was being sincere; his soft gray eyes were a comfort.
“No, it’s not. I don’t want you to think that I expect anything more than a cooking lesson from you. I’ve been worried all week that you might have taken it the wrong way.” He pulled his glass to his lips and took a hearty swig, and his eyes stayed locked on mine the entire time.
“I don’t think that at all.” I wouldn’t admit that the thought had crossed my mind. “I never felt like anything more was expected from me. I wanted to do it.”
“Oh, thank God.” His shoulders slumped as he sighed. “That’s a relief. You have no idea how worried I’d been this week.”
“I’m sorry.” I reached over and placed my hand on his. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“Cause trouble?” He stifled a laugh. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I just usually don’t overanalyze so much, but for some reason with you, it’s all I can do.”
I blinked, startled at the confession. I hadn’t thought that he might be having the same feelings as me. The growing uncertainty about his reaction subsided at that moment.
“There’s something else I wanted to ask.” He paused a moment while I finished my glass. He grabbed the bottle and offered more, but the effects of the wine were beginning to make my head a little woozy, and I politely refused another glass.
“Yes?” My eyes widened with curiosity.
He leaned forward to close the distance between us. “Have you ever been to Vegas?” I shook my head.
“Lacey’s been with her ex, but she didn’t really have many good things to say about it.” She’d called it a den of sin and a waste of good money, but I didn’t think I needed to go into all that with him. I wasn’t sure what had happened to her while she was there, but I had an idea it was the first time she’d come to terms with her ex’s wandering eyes and grabby hands, because after that, things had changed in their relationship.
Maddox chuckled. “Vegas can be a hit or miss.” He looked as if he’d experienced the latter a few times. “Well, I have a few important meetings coming up next week, and I was hoping you’d join me.”
The offer came as a shock. He wanted me to go away with him? “In Vegas?” I leaned forward and took his wine glass in my hand. He laughed and nodded. I took a much larger than normal sip and contemplated it. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Maddox.” I placed the glass on the table and fingered the rim.
“I understand, and it’s absolutely your decision. Usually I just have either Abby or Nick with me, but Abby will be at my parents’ and Nick has an art gallery showing, so I guess I’m just being selfish and don’t really want to go alone.”
I wondered if the offer was conditional. “Do I get my own room?” My brow rose waiting for the answer.
“Of course.” He nodded and chuckled. “Anything you want.”
My sister’s voice was still loud in my head, reminding me how inappropriate and irresponsible it would be. I thought of a million reasons to say no, and yet I’m not entirely surprised as I answered.
“Okay.” I couldn’t believe I was agreeing, but there was no chance I was missing the opportunity. “I get my own room and spending money, and we eat at one of the buffets in the casinos because I’ve always heard about those, and I’ll go.”
Maddox smiled, his cheeks widening more than I’ve seen, as he nodded.
“Deal,” he said, rising from the table and taking my empty plate.
I followed him to the kitchen, and as we cleaned up dinner, he told me countless stories about his experiences in Vegas. He’d seen so many things and done so much in his life, that I felt like I had a lot of catching up to do.
I nodded, half listening and half having a mental breakdown in my mind. I was afraid he’d be able to hear the inner battle, my thoughts were screaming so loud, but he gave me a warm smile and tossed me a dishrag.
“Care to help me clean up?” He turned toward the sink and turned on the water. The idea of him washing dishes brought a smile to my face.
“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” I stood beside him next to the built-in dishwasher, which was worth more than my rent, as he went a little heavy on the dish liquid.
Then Maddox’s arm brushed against mine as he wiped our plates clean, his warmth spreading over me like a blanket. I shuddered as a pulse of need burned deep in my core. What on earth had I agreed to?
Chapter Twenty-Five
Maddox
Everly had made amazing dinners throughout the rest of the week, and our conversation continued to grow more natural and endearing to me as the days passed. She always made sure to ask about Abby, and Abby made sure to constantly ask about Everly. The past four days had felt like a dream as we planned our Vegas trip and cooked together. Well, as she taught me how to cook. According to her, I was picking it up a lot quicker than she had expected, and last night I had mashed the potatoes without a single comment from her. I continued my ruse, and she continued to believe that I wasn’t a renowned chef. Really, all it would have taken was a single Google session and she would have found the truth, a fact that was always in the back of my mind as we spent time together. What would I do when she finally learned the truth?
I lounged in bed a little longer than usual on Thursday morning, making a mental checklist for the weekend. Abby squirmed beside me, her tiny body radiating a heat that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I hadn’t fallen asleep with her in the bed. She must have snuck in again throughout the night. She had always been a master at that, since her tiny footsteps were no more disturbing than butterfly wings.
“I had a dream, Daddy,” she said, as she woke. A hearty yawn stretched her mouth, and she rubbed her eyes.
“What about?” I asked.
“I don’t remember.” She shrugged her tiny shoulders and giggled. “I just remember liking it.”
“You’re still okay with me leaving this weekend, right?” I asked. She must have been tired of constantly reassuring me. “You’re okay with staying at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s?”
“Yes, Daddy. Grandpa makes me pancakes, and Gr
andma takes me shopping.” Her eyes widened with excitement. I chuckled; of course she was more than okay with staying with them for the weekend. “Is Everly going?”
I nodded. “Yeah, she’s helping me. You’re okay with that, right?”
Abby sighed and met my eyes before averting them with more attitude than necessary. Clearly, she was tired of all these questions.
“All right, I get it. I’ll start with breakfast. You get ready to go to Nick’s.” I moved to the side of the bed away from her warmth and found my feet.
Abby dressed herself as I made pancakes. I added a little cinnamon and brown sugar into the mix, and topped them with a blend of cream cheese and powdered sugar. I was at least going to make sure my pancakes were better than my dad’s.
“Is your painting almost done?” I asked. Nick had been giving me small updates through the week. Apparently, it was something Abby was really passionate about.
Her head went up and down as she scooped another spoonful. “Almost,” she said in between bites of pancakes. “But you can’t see it yet!” She narrowed a gaze at me that had threat written all over it.
I raised my hands to surrender. “I know.” I turned away to my own plate ready. “When can I see it?”
“When it’s done,” she said with another long, dramatic sigh. “You’re going to love it!”
“I know I will.” I turned and gave her a smile over my shoulder. “Maybe you can show it to me when I get back?”
Abby tilted her head as I joined her at the table. “Maybe,” she said.
“Alright, time to get to Uncle Nick’s,” I said and threw the dishes into the sink. Abby got her shoes on, and we left.
Nick was in the middle of a new painting when we arrived. I sat on his couch as Abby watched him finish the corner of his painting. It was a colorful field of flowers, with bleeding roses that created a border. It was somewhat depressing, but of course, Abby only saw the flowers and instantly fell in love.
“Uncle Nick! I’m going to finish my painting soon!” Abby said.
“It’s almost done.” He agreed and patted my shoulder. “It’s a real work of art.”
“I believe it,” I said and kissed Abby goodbye. “I have a long day at work today, sweetie. There’s a lot to plan for the weekend, and I might not pick you up until late.”
“That’s okay,” she said. “Take your time.”
I chuckled. Abby surely didn’t know what that meant.
“I need to check into the hotel sometime today,” I said to Nick as I got ready to leave. “I added Everly’s room last minute. I need to make sure it’s another suite or else she’ll be stuck on the bottom floor with the drunk bastards who go to Vegas for the women and drinks.”
“You don’t think she’d like that?” Nick asked. I raised my eyebrow at his condescending tone. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he sighed. “And don’t get all defensive over her. You don’t think you’re maybe getting a little too close to her?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You barely know her, and already you’re paying for an entire weekend in Vegas,” he said.
“Because I have meetings there, and you were busy. I didn’t want to go alone,” I argued.
“Jackie could have gone with you,” he said.
“I think I’d rather go alone than have her company.” I leveled my stare to his. “Plus, one of us needs to stay for the restaurants. We both can’t have a Vegas weekend.”
“It’s a business weekend,” Nick said. “Remember that.”
“What are you trying to get at?” I asked. “Just spit it out.”
“Just that you need to do what’s best for both you and Abby, not just yourself,” he said. I nodded, and we said goodbye.
Nick was just being a good friend. I could acknowledge that. He also didn’t know Everly as much as I did, and he didn’t understand how either of us felt. But more than anything, I knew that Everly wouldn’t do anything to hurt me or Abby. To think otherwise was ridiculous, but I could understand how he would be protective of us, though. It was his nature, and I know he considered us family. She was worth it, and I knew in my heart that what we could potentially have was worth it, too.
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.
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