Font Size:  

Now I’d ‘fought’ with her. That’s the way she’d see it, anyway. Now I looked like the asshole for not cutting my vacation short, and when I did get back to New York Lilith would hold it against me. She’d sulk like a five-year old for a few days, making tsk-tsk noises and pointing out how far behind those ‘extra’ few days had somehow put me.

Goddammit, Noelle.

The phone rang again, and I was ready for anything. This time though, it was a different number. One I again didn’t immediately recognize…

… but when I did, a whole flock of butterflies took flight in my stomach.

Sixteen

BRODY

It went against every one of our rules to call her the next day. We’d never called anyone afterward, especially not for reasons like this.

But I just had to do it.

“What’s up beautiful?”

I could feel her warmth and excitement through the phone. It was absolutely infectious. It made me smile for the first time all day.

“Well hello there stranger,” she purred.

“Stranger?” I laughed, switching the phone to my other ear. “Really? After last night?”

“Okay, maybe stranger is a little bit impersonal,” said Lauren. “More like… on friendly terms?”

I smiled again, marveling over how instantly she’d put me in a good mood. Even her voice was cute. I filed it into my memory, just on the off chance it was the last time I’d hear it.

Shit, even the thought of that made me sad.

“I probably shouldn’t be calling you,” I admitted hesitantly. “After all, it’s—”

“Against your rules?”

Damn, she was a smart one. Then again I knew that already.

“I just wanted you to know we had an amazing time last night,” I told her. “You gave us a run for our money,” I chuckled. “And… well…”

I’ve been thinking about you all day.

Could I really say that? Should I say that?

“You could’ve stayed for breakfast you know,” Lauren admonished me. “My asshole friends left the suite’s fridge fully stocked before they all flew home early.”

“Sorry honey.”

“I mean, I can’t eat this stuff by myself,” she said. “And who the fuck buys a four-pound jar of peanut butter while staying in a hotel room?”

“One of your asshole friends?” I offered.

“Exactly,” she said. “Hell if I know which one, though.”

I pictured her waking up alone, reaching for one or both of us on either side of the bed. Staying the night was a strict violation of the rules, though. Even as much as we wanted to.

“Why aren’t you supposed to call me, anyway?” Lauren asked.

“Because it’s intimidating,” I told her. “After what we did together, the three of us…”

“You guys figured a girl would need some space.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com