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“Sometimes, all we need is a swift kick in the ass to get our priorities in order,” Mom says with a laugh.
I roll my eyes. “Mom.”
“I know. But I think, one day, you’ll look back on this and laugh as well. Your father and I always do.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m glad to have you to keep me grounded.”
“I love you, Alley Cat—don’t ever forget it.”
“I won’t. I’ve got to go. I’m not sure if we have any plans today, and I’m still lying in bed. Love you.”
“Good luck!”
With that, I hang up and drop my phone on the covers of the bed. I snuggle back underneath the warmth and stare up at the ceiling. Mom makes it seem so easy, but even knowing what I do about her and Dad’s relationship in the beginning, the differences are glaring. I’m just not convinced that a happily ever after is in the cards for Simon and me.
I trudge down the stairs, catching Simon at the end of a phone call. He seems distressed, and I try not to listen, but it’s hard since we are both standing in the kitchen. I don’t think he’s noticed me yet. He’s on the other side of the table, peering out the large bay window that overlooks the pool. I skirt around the island to glance into the fridge. He’s wearing athletic gear; a large wet spot on his back shows he must have just gotten done working out.
“The flu? Who gets the flu in the summer?”
A pause as he listens to the other person speak.
“Well, is he all right? How does Ivy feel?”
I hear his footsteps as he starts to move.
“Okay. No, it’s fine. Thanks for letting me know. Should I come get her? Okay. Yeah, I’ll be on my way once I get ready. Love you, Mom.”
I shut the fridge door and come face-to-face with Simon.
“Oh,” I gasp, my hand flying to my chest, and he just looks at me. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were so close.”
“My dad is sick, and Mom wants Ivy to return home. I’m going to drive up and get her.”
I nod, one hand still on the door handle. Simon’s eyes drop down for a second, surveying my outfit of a breezy light-blue summer dress with tiny strawberries on it. He takes his time in bringing his gaze back up. He meets my stare, and my chest tightens at the heat I see there, focused on me. It makes my stomach flutter and my knees slightly weak until he shakes his head and clears his throat.
“Would you like to ride with me?”
“I’m sorry, what?” I didn’t expect him to want any company.
“Would you like to go with me to pick up Ivy? It’s only about an hour away.”
“Oh, right. Yes, that would be nice.”
We stare at each other a while longer, the tension hanging between us, full of promise and maybe something else; it’s almost steamy and erotic. I think back to my conversation with Mom, and in this moment, it feels like something could definitely happen.
“Great. I need to go shower and get dressed. I’ll meet you back down here in about forty-five minutes,” he says, glancing at his watch.
I stare at his arm as he holds it up, the thick veins trailing down his arm, popping out on his hand underneath the band of his watch; it has me mesmerized. I want to watch his large hands span my waist as he picks me up, throwing me on a bed or against a wall—or hell, I’ll even take the pool at this point. I probably need it to cool me off.
His arm drops, and I snap my head up to look at him. He doesn’t smirk, and I feel a sense of relief at not having been caught ogling his veiny forearm. I don’t need any more complications in my life.
“Sounds good,” I say, thrilled that my voice comes out somewhat normal and not high and squeaky.
I watch him turn, his shorts stretching across his backside, and I let go of the fridge handle and step forward to rest my hands on the island.
Cut it out, Alice,I chastise myself, knowing that nothing good can come of this.
From the very first day I ever saw Simon Morrow, I felt the tug between us. But after his brusque brush-off, I quickly squashed any notions of being the man. Even when he came back for the conferences or anything parent-related with the students, our interactions were nothing to write home about. I had a girlish crush. He was handsome, and I was sad and lonely. I could create fantasies, but they needed to stay in my head.
