He smirks. “We’ve slept next to each other twice, and you’re tripping out over me seeing your bedroom?”
“Oh gosh. I still can’t believe how whirlwind meeting you has been. I wouldn’t even let a boy kiss me, and now I can’t imagine spending a day without you.”
“I know. I’m irresistible.”
I snigger and lead him to the stairs. “There are a few wings to pass before we get to mine.”
“Of course, this place is a freaking maze.”
I lead him toward my bedroom, navigating the different hallways. “This is my wing. It’s nicknamed the kids’ wing. Whenever our cousins or friends stay with us, they always have a bedroom in this hallway.”
“Is it just you and your brother now?”
“My brother moved into a suite in a different wing. His girlfriend’s bedroom is right there, and next door was my brother’s room. Once our parents found out they were a couple, they made him move.”
“Is it better having space away from your brother?”
“No. I wish Christie were the one who moved.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“It was just unsettling to come back home and find my brother’s bedroom wasn’t a few doors away, but a few hallways away.”
“And you don’t get along with his girlfriend?”
“I don’t dislike her.” I mistakenly wince and then force myself to hide the emotion. “I guess, I get jealous of her. Her parents are so sweet and affectionate, and mine use me as a pawn in their marriage wars. Even little things, like Christie and her mom were on the planning committee, but they decided they wanted some time off. My mother allowed it, like it was no big deal. Yet, she uses me as a microphone while she’s overseas. It’s just hard watching someone’s life and thinking it’s a lot easier than yours.”
“I guess I can understand that.”
I laugh at myself. “Well, sure. You look at mine, and it’s way easier than yours. Ugh. I need to stop complaining.”
“Hey,” he coos, clutching my hand. “Don’t do that. There’s so much control in your life. No wonder you want to snap like a rubber band.”
I thank him and lead him into my bedroom. He whistles, looking up at the vaulted ceiling and hanging light fixtures.
“You’ve got some fancy furniture in here,” he says, strolling through the room.
“They’re all antiques. That armoire over there was my great grandmothers. She had it shipped over from France.”
“And this bed is massive. You could have six people in here.”
I chuckle at the ridiculousness.
He grins. “Makes the pool house bed look tiny, is all I’m saying.”
“Miss Ashworth?” Claudia calls, stepping into the room. She jolts back, surprised by Dax. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”
“It’s okay,” I say, clasping Dax’s hand. “Dax, this is Claudia. She’s one of the most special people in my life.”
Dax waves. “Hey.”
“Claudia, this is Dax.” I pause for a beat, blushing. “My boyfriend.”
Dax grins and gives a slight nod, approving the official title.
Claudia gasps and lets out a chuckle. “Miss Ashworth, why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?”
Dax nudges me. “Yeah, Miss Ashworth, why didn’t you tell her?”
