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Chapter Fourteen
Anne
I didn’t want to move. It was heaven lying there in Andrew’s arms. But my cell phone was ringing again. Unfortunately, it was across the room on the dresser.
“Would you like me to get your phone for you?” Andrew asked, from behind me.
I snuggled closer and he tightened his grip. “I don’t care who it is.” That was partly true. I didn’t want to be anywhere but here. The reality was that this couldn’t last forever. Eventually, I would need to get up and go to the club. The club! “What time is it?”
“Maybe noon?” he said.
That left me feeling slightly hopeful. We had been up making love all night and into the morning. We even saw the sunrise and had breakfast before returning to bed for another round of sweet ecstasy.
The phone rang again and Andrew loosened his grip and eventually let go. “I’ll get it for you.”
If he was as spent as I was, even that short walk would feel like a mile. I took the time to appreciate the view of his naked backside as he crossed the room. When he turned around and headed back towards me, well, I totally forgot he was bringing my phone.
As he handed it to me I said, “Now I really don’t want to answer it.” But I still looked at the caller ID.
Answering I said, “Good morning, Aunt Trixi. Is everything okay?”
“You tell me. Where the hell are you?” she asked.
“At the cabin,” I said.
“Are you feeling all right?” she asked.
“Yes. Just sleeping in. With you gone, it all falls on me.” That was true. But sleeping wasn’t something I did much of last night.
“I guess I’d better come back,” she said firmly.
“No need.”
“I think there is. You should’ve been at the club an hour ago. Sugar had to call me because you didn’t answer your phone.”
I was filled with panic and looked down at my phone. “It’s almost three.”
“Really? Gee, I didn’t know,” Trixi said sarcastically. “What the heck is going on that you’re still in bed at this time of day?”
“Well…I…I…”
“Oh, my God. You’re with him aren’t you?” Trixi asked.
There was no reason to deny it, but I wasn’t going to admit it, either. “That is none of your business.”
“True, but The Treasured Chest is. Remember, you need to keep it in the black for an entire year. You’re only in a little more than a week and already forgot all about showing up,” she said.
I felt horrible. Aunt Trixi was right. This was irresponsible of me. On the other hand, she orchestrated this whole thing, so what was she expecting? “I hate to ask, but can you please call Sugar and tell her I’ll be there in thirty minutes?”
“Okay.” Trixi sighed. “I’m sorry I came down so hard on you. I’m actually happy that you’re so…distracted that you forgot. It’s been a very long time since I felt that way.”
I could hear the emptiness in her tone. I knew she and Uncle Carl had gotten divorces, but I swear it was a mistake. They had loved each other deeply and neither Trixi or Carl ever dated again. Unfortunately, both were too stubborn to admit they were wrong.
I should’ve told them, “Don’t hesitate because a day gone by is a day lost forever.”
Andrew and I were not in the same situation as they were. We were enjoying each other, but love, well that was…impractical. He’d made it clear what he wanted, my club. And based on what I’d read about him, that’s all he ever wants. Togrow his fortune. Was that really all there was to him? They made him sound like a business tycoon without a heart. That didn’t seem like the same man that I was getting to know. I made it clear the club wasn’t for sale and since he no longer speaks about it, he obviously has accepted that fact. Besides, he took such good care of me after I had gotten hurt at work. And even now, he is coming with me to ensure it doesn’t happen again. The only thing he was getting out of all this donated time was my gratitude. Maybe a piece of my heart too. The world might view him one way, I see him another.
“Anne, are you still there?” Trixi asked.
