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Fifteen minutes later, and with only a few seconds to spare, I make it. A light sweat has broken against my brow from the exertion of trying to make it here on time, and my breath is coming out in short bursts. I lean against the brick and wait for my heartbeat to regulate.
Pulling the door back, I enter and head down the stairs to the basement where the meeting is being held. My gaze scans the room as I take in the ensemble of people gathering to find strength. Just being here calms my frazzled nerves.
“Hello, my name is Thomas, and I’m an addict. Welcome. Can we open this meeting with a moment of silence for the addict who still suffers, followed by the WE version of the Serenity Prayer?” He takes a slight pause before his eyes shut, and his head bows as he repeats the familiar words. My eyes flutter closed, and silently I repeat his words.
When the session ends, I am one of the first to stand. Facing the back, I’m ready to leave when the air leaves my lungs as I see Carter quickly exiting.
He came.
I told him about how much I liked this meeting and that he should come, and he did.
A sense of pride washes over me for my friend. I hope it’s the beginning of a life change for him. Should I call him? The more I contemplate it, the more it becomes clear. I need to leave this one alone. It’s his fight, and he has to do it his way. If he needs me, he’ll find me.
An hour later, I feel rejuvenated. A huge weight is lifted off me as the craving has passed. As long as I keep up with my meetings, I think everything will be okay. No slipups.
I head back to my apartment, and I stare blankly at my closet once there. Holy hell. What does one wear to dinner with one’s brand spanking new, wealthier than God boyfriend? And worse, what does one wear when meeting his pretentious mother? Because if it’s one thing I’m sure of, this woman is going to be a spoiled witch. Why did I push for this?
Bailey, Bailey, Bailey . . .
You really are an idiot.
I feel like my blood pressure is climbing. I take deep breaths and silently repeat the serenity prayer.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I got this.
I see a baby blue wrap dress that falls just to my knees. It’s nothing fancy and certainly not high-end, but it will work. Paired with a nude peep toe and simple makeup, it will probably look good, but not good enough for his socialite mother. Oh, there you go again. Freaking out. Shaking my head back and forth, I dismiss all doubt that I won’t be accepted and proceed to the bathroom to redo my hair and makeup from this morning. Luckily, I don’t have to shampoo and rinse it, but I need to run a brush through it.
As I’m putting the final layer of lip-gloss on, my cell phone rings. “Hey, Harper, what’s going on?”
“Where have you been?”
My forehead creases. “What do you mean? I haven’t been anywhere.”
“I stopped by your office.”
“Wow, checking up on me . . .” I laugh, poking fun.
“Why are you giggling? What are you up to? You know if you don’t check in every morning, I start to get worried.”
“God, Mom,” I tease. “I’m fine. Just stopped at a meeting this morning.”
“Oh, really? Are you okay? Is something happening? Is Drew treating you okay?” she asks.
“Yes, he’s treating me perfectly.” If she only knew just how perfect.
“Okay, good. I was kind of worried. But that doesn’t answer the question. Why the meeting?”
I’d love to tell her I have a lot of work to do, and I can’t get into it now.
“Listen, Harp. I’m running late because of the meeting, so I can’t talk now, but can I call you tomorrow?”
“A dinner tonight?”
“Not tonight, but tomorrow. Promise.”
“You sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah, but I really need to run. Love you.” I don’t wait for her to say goodbye before I hang up. I’m not trying to be rude, but I am running late, and I need to be perfect for his mother.
60
Drew
When I pick Bailey up, she literally steals my breath away. She didn’t even give me the chance to walk to her door like a proper gentleman. She came flying out the door as though someone was chasing her. Other than her adorably flustered look, everything else from head to toe is perfection.
I snap myself out of the trance I’m in just in time to fly around the car to open the door for her.
Leaning in, she whispers, “You smell so good.” She reaches up on her tiptoes and places a kiss on my cheek. Instinctually, I inhale her. If I smell good, then she smells divine.
