AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We sit down at the table LeRond reserved for us at a nice restaurant. I had texted him to let them know we’d be late. After an initial judgmental reply from him, he texted that they were accommodating.
She looks at me with trepidation. “I know this is awkward, but my sisters asked to come by your place in the morning. They said they want to see where I’ll be living. They knew we were going out and that I was staying over. I didn’t know what to say.”
I shrug my shoulders. “Tell them to come over. What’s the big deal? You know how much I like your family.”
“Okay. Thanks. Do you mind if I text them quickly now so I don’t forget later?” I nod and she takes out her phone.
“Give them my code so they can come in whenever they arrive. It’s 2120.”
She types and sends the text.
She puts her phone back into her purse. I like that about her. She’s never on her phone when we’re together. She puts it away and gives me her full attention. Always. I don’t think I’ve ever been with someone who wasn’t practically attached to their phone and social media. It’s nice.
She smirks at me. “Is that code for Joel Embiid and Mike Schmidt?” They’re Philadelphia area sports stars.
“Fuck, it’s hot that you know that.”
She laughs. “I know Philly sports. Washington, DC, too. That’s where my mom’s originally from, and she’s still a huge fan.”
She takes a long breath. “So, now I guess we need to have a real conversation about us.”
I nod. “I know we do. We’ve been… otherwise occupied all week.”
She laughs again. I love her laugh. “I suppose we have. I’ve enjoyed you occupying me though.”
I smile. “So have I.”
We stare at one another. The air between us is like nothing I’ve ever experienced with a woman. It’s hard to put it into words.
The waiter breaks our sexually charged stare down to take our drink orders.
Once he leaves, Reagan looks at me. “Back to the real conversation.”
I nod. “Right.” I take her hands in mine. “I’m happy to do whatever you want, Reagan, but know that I want to be with you, and that’s the most important thing to me. We can keep up the deal part of things or end it. I frankly don’t care that much about it anymore. That fucker might never retire. Regardless, I want to spend real time with you. Not fake relationship time. This is real for me. I have real feelings for you.”
She smiles and squeezes my hand. “Thank you for saying that, Carter. It means a lot to me. I have real feelings and want to spend real time with you too.”
I blow out the breath I think I was holding. “That’s a relief. What do you want to do about the deal?”
She shrugs. “I guess we both still have things to gain from it, and we’re going to spend time together anyway, so I’m thinking we just leave things as they are and eliminate the wordfakefrom our relationship.”
“What about the engagement?”
“Obviously we’re not really engaged.” I can’t help but feel disappointed by that remark. And then I’m surprised I feel that way. “I already told my mother we’re planning a long engagement, so we can just leave that be and see how things play out.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“What do you want, Carter?”
“I want what I said. I want you in my life for real. Whatever form that takes.”
She nods as we let that part of the conversation die. We have a nice rest of the meal. We eat, drink, and laugh. I love how much she makes me laugh. She’s so easy to be with.
We eventually make our way back to my apartment. Reagan has only been here twice, and it was during the day. She’s never been here at night.
She looks around. “Your views of the city are amazing. I don’t think I appreciated them during the day when I was here.”
“That’s because you were on your back two seconds after we walked in.”
