Chapter Fifteen
Jillian
Ipanicked. There wasno other way to explain what happened. The weekend I spent in New York with my mother, without Hutch, I was so lonely without him, and I panicked. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go months without seeing his face in person, talking to him, or touching him. I freaked out.
Except Hutch was able to talk me down off the ledge. Like I did to him, Hutch calmed me down and convinced me that I was going to be fine. My plan, since I discovered my love for ballet at the age of six, was to become a professional ballerina. Why now would I change everything?
Because I was in love with Hutch.
Sunday night I couldn’t get enough of him, and he of me. I knew we were going to have sex soon. I could feel it deep in my bones by the way he touched me, the way he kissed me, and the way he looked at me. The want in his eyes was there. I wouldn’t push Hutch. I knew when he would be ready, he’d tell me. Only our time was running out since I was leaving for New York on Sunday and wouldn’t be back until Thanksgiving.
“I have a big weekend planned for us.” Hutch winked at me as he grabbed his toothbrush the next morning before I was going to be leaving.
All week, my stomach was in knots. I still wasn’t convinced I wanted to go. I had almost told Jo more than once, but realized if I did, she might tell Patrick—or even worse, our mother—and had decided against it. “Oh?” I gazed up at Hutch as he rinsed the toothpaste from his mouth. “What?” I twisted my hair up into a bun before I pinned in place.
“Can’t tell you.” He grinned before he pinched my chin between two fingers. “Only that it’s really special. And you’re going to love it.” He pressed his mouth against mine, leaving a minty scent behind.
I watched as he walked back into the other room. “Should I dress casually?” I called after him, trying to pry further.
“Casual today, but maybe a dress for tonight.”
“Wait, today?”
Hutch was tugging his shirt over his head when I came up behind him. “Don’t you have work?” I reached for my leggings. I had considered blowing off class since it was my last one, but wanted to say goodbye to everyone. Well, almost everyone. Maybe I should just stay here and wait for him.
“Nope.” He grinned happily at me. “Took the day off to spend with my girl, and Megan let me cancel therapy because it’s a special occasion.” He was wearing theI ?? New Yorkshirt I picked up for him while I was there. He swore it was his favorite and wore it once a week.
I raised one brow. “Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” I raised my hand to his forehead only to have him laugh.
Hutch was not even close to being the man he was when we first met. He hardly ever avoided eye contact, kept his head up, and was more personable than ever. I only hoped when I left, he would continue to get better. “We need to get moving or we’re going to be late.” He tugged on my hand to pull me against him before he pressed his mouth against mine.
“Not even a tiny little hint?” I asked as I decided on shorts instead of leggings since I wasn’t going to class. I slipped on a bra, followed by a tank top, and found Hutch watching me with a blank face. “You’re no fun, Kelly!” I tossed my leggings at him.
He chuckled as he caught them and folded them up to place inside my designated drawer. “I’m loads of fun, baby, just want to surprise you today.” He pulled lightly on my bun. “You know how much of a turn-on it is when you wear your hair like this,” he rumbled from deep in his chest. “We should leave now or we’re going to be late.”
***
The carnival was justopening when we walked up. My heart fluttered with happiness when I realized he was taking us back to our first date, and I squeezed his hand tightly in mine as we went inside. It was getting harder and harder thinking about leaving Hutch behind even though I was the one that had convinced him that we could make a long-distance relationship work.
“You okay?” Hutch hooked his arm over my shoulder. “You’re quiet. Do you not want to be here, because we can go definitely somewhere else.” He looked like a little kid who just lost his balloon.
I shook my head. “No, baby, this is perfect,” I assured him. “Let’s go there.” I pointed to the photo booth. “I want to have it for my dorm room.”
