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“Perfect. Thank you,” I say in a rush.
She lets out a sigh at the same time the doorbell rings, and my dad’s English bulldog, Chief, starts barking like crazy downstairs.
“You have company, so I’ll let you go,” she says. “But, Jade…”
“Yes?” I reply, swallowing my nerves.
“Let’s keep this between us for now, okay?”
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, knowing Clay is downstairs waiting, and I have to go greet him and keep this secret from him when I’m already so pumped and excited.
“Yes, of course,” I answer confidently.
“See you tonight,” she says.
“See you tonight!”
The line goes dead, and it takes everything in me not to scream. Something about this feels like exactly what I need. This could get me out of my rut. This could break me out from under this spell I’ve been under since I graduated. I need a fresh start and a hand to guide me.
It’s not about Clay anymore, even if that’s how this started. Gone is that knot of regret and anxiety I’ve been suffering since last night.
But more than anything, I’m smiling because I know I get to see her again, and just being in her presence feels like a gift.
I barrel down the stairs after Clay rings the doorbell for the third time. Chief is losing his mind, spinning in circles and panting so hard I’m afraid he’s going to have a heart attack and drop dead right on the landing.
When I peel open the door, I’m still wearing the same smile I had upstairs after my call with Eden. Clay’s brows pinch together as he stares at me in confusion.
“Where have you been? Why haven’t you answered my calls?”
“I’ve been sleeping,” I reply. He steps into the house, his eyes never leaving my face.
“You’re not mad at me?” he asks.
I shrug. “No. Why would I be mad at you?”
His jaw clenches as he crowds me toward the wall. His hands slide over my waist, and he tugs me so close to him I have to arch my back to look up into his eyes.
“I don’t know. Because of that incident the other night. And you won’t respond to me.”
My smile stretches wider. My, my. How the cocky ladies’ man has changed since I first met him. Now he worries and pines and needs reassurance.
“You’re so cute when you’re worried,” I say, pressing on the little line between his brows.
His brow furrows deeper. “I’ve had a really shitty day, and I didn’t sleep well last night because I was worried about you. Aboutus.”
Suddenly, my smile fades when I sense the sincerity in his voice. I nestle my body against him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Without a smile or teasing tone, I say, “Clay, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. To be honest, I was in my head too, and I just needed a couple of days to think.”
“But we’re fine?”
My thumb strokes his jaw as I pull his face to mine. “We’re better than fine. I promise.”
Then I pull him down and press my lips to his. He seems to melt into our kiss, and I feel the stress cascading off of him from our embrace alone. Now I feel really bad about brushing him off, but honestly, in my head, I thought I’d be the one worrying about us. Not him.
To know he’s so invested in our relationship only makes me feel better.
“My dad’s at the office,” I mumble against his lips. “Which means I’m home all alone.”
He growls against my mouth. Then his hands slide down my hips to my thighs. He scoops me off the floor, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He’s carrying me up the stairs to my room while I continue kissing him.
