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“You’re not helping this erection. In fact, you’re making it harder than ever to deal with.”
Innocence shapes her eyes and smile. “I’m sorry. Kind of . . .” She laughs. “I really will make it up to you.” Tapping me on the nose this time, she says, “I promise.”
“I’m holding you to that.”
“I hope so.” A shadow casts her eyes that held happiness not even a moment prior, and she says, “Can I talk to you about something that’s been on my mind?”
“Always.”
“Last night, Carter told me how Allison shared that I’d been in New York.”
“And that’s something you’ve shared with her?”
“Yes. I’ve told her almost everything, anything worth sharing. I trusted her.” She sighs, looking down at her lap and fidgeting fingers. When she looks at me again, she whispers, “I don’t know how to feel about her now. Why would she tell him anything about me when she knows I don’t want him to know?”
Dragging my fingers down her back, I rub her spine along the way. “I don’t know. Is it something you feel comfortable talking to her about?”
“I guess I’ll have to. It just . . . it sort of feels like a violation of the trust I thought we’d established.”
“I can understand that, but before you concern yourself even more, you should address the issue with her directly. Maybe it slipped out accidentally, or there was a misunderstanding.”
A small smile returns to her face, and she leans down to kiss me. “You’re right, counselor. Instead of overthinking this, I’ll just ask her about it.” Standing, she says, “I need to go. I’m ready to get this over with.” She crosses the room to leave. “I’ll see you later, babe.”
Just before she closes the door behind her, I call, “Hey?” I’m given that spectacular smile of hers that I’m used to as she leans on the door. “Always remember I love you.”
“I could never forget. My heart wouldn’t let me. I love you, Loch.”
It’s still early, barely seven, so when she closes the door, I roll to the side and close my eyes to try for more sleep.
“Morning.”
I set the coffee pot back on the warmer and turn to find Allison sitting at a table where the sun floods in. As she sips from a mug, she reads the magazine open in front of her. I reply, “Good morning.” Recalling the conversation with Tuesday earlier, I decide to get a better feel for her friend. Best friend is what I’ve been told. I sit down but direct my gaze out the window. “Pretty day.”
“A little chilly but not too bad.” Her eyes stay directed through the French doors. “C tells me you’re an attorney.” She laughs to herself. “Tuesday. It’s going to be hard to make the change.”
“She wouldn’t be bothered. She understands it’s difficult for others.” I take a sip of coffee. “Especially when you’ve known her your whole life.”
“Most of it. The years that matter.” She closes the fashion magazine and says, “She speaks highly of you.” It’s not a question I need to address. “Do you mind me asking what your plan is?”
Plan? She wouldn’t be a friend if she didn’t look out for her. “I don’t have a plan. Like her, I’m taking the days as they come right now.”
“How do you imagine your future with her? Are you going to ask her to move to New York?”
Chuckling, I look at her. Her eyes with another thousand questions waiting to be asked and her hair like fire in the morning sunlight. Her striking features don’t distract from the information she’s trying to extract. “My place is hers, but Tuesday will do as she wants. She’ll decide where she wants to live, and I’ll support that.”
“Even if it’s not with you in the city?”
I’d hate it. It would gut me five times over. “If it makes her happy.”
“She loves you very much. It’s good to see her this happy and in love.” She spins her mug around in her hands, the ceramic bottom grating against the mottled wood. “We’re going to a vineyard in the area for a wine tasting later. Would you like to come?”
Nothing suspicious is seen in her eyes. She seems quite genuine. “Unless you hate wine, of course,” she quickly adds.
“No, wine is fine—”
“And it rhymes.” She giggles, even snorting a little.
Her quirkiness is entertaining. “I’m in. Thanks for asking.”
“Of course. If C—if Tuesday loves you, that’s all I need to know. Her mom and dad are also going.”
Though I’m not sure if this is my place to ask, it might be a good time to get her take on talking to Carter about Tuesday being in the city. “I—”
“Where is she—”
A ring from my pocket cuts both of us off. I pull it out to see John - Private Eyes of New York flash on the screen. “I need to take this. I’ll be right back.” I answer as I walk outside into the cold for privacy. “What do you have for me, John?”
