“I don’t think your girl likes my clothes,” Tori said, standing up, reading the room. “You’re going to have to leave.”
“I have money to spend. Lots of money, bitch,” he spat.
“And this bitch doesn’t want it. Now or ever. I’m telling you to get the fuck out before I call the police, or worse, my husband.” All her sweet and friendly demeanor was gone.
Before things could escalate, Tori’s husband entered the store with no idea what was going on. A big, burly, bearded, tattooed man, he looked like he could be the president of a motorcycle club. All of us turned to look his way, and you could see the confused expression on his face. Never in a million years would I pick a person who looked like that to co-own a ritzy fashion boutique.
“Hey, babe, I’m glad you’re here. This not-quite-gentleman was having some trouble leaving our store,” Tori explained.
His eyes narrowed, and he turned to Theo, who put his hands in the air in surrender.
“I was just leaving.” He stuttered, and scurried out without a glance back like a cockroach who had seen light. Fucking coward. Had no problem running his mouth to us, but the minute he felt threatened, he ran away.
“I’m Little Joe, Tori’s husband. Everyone ok?” Introductions went around, and they could easily become some of my favorite people in Savannah Springs. What a wonderful addition to Main Street. After some urging from Cora, we gavethem the rundown of who Theo was, a brief explanation of the situation, and then apologized for the scene in the store. Donovan would have been proud of me for speaking up. They were more than gracious and said they were always safe havens for me and even gave me their numbers to contact them if I ever needed to. I ended up buying four dresses and a few cute tops to sightsee around New York. Since it was already 5:00 p.m., we decided to forgo pedicures for the day.
“What’s the plan for you? My place? Donovans?” Cora asked. Given that I’d spent so much time with him recently, and that I’d be going to New York with him on Wednesday, I decided to give us a night of space. Plus, I knew Cora would like the company.
“I’d love to sleep on your couch tonight if that’s ok with you.”
She clapped her hands together. “I was hoping you would! Yay! What do you want to do for dinner?”
“Why don’t we do a pickup from Savinn, then head to your place?” What Iwantedto do was to sit at Savinn because it was the oddest restaurant known to man with the most delicious food ever. But I couldn’t risk another encounter with Theo, so we placed our order and went to pick it up before going back to Cora’s.
I had promised Donovan I’d text him, so I updated him with my plan to stay at Cora’s. Rather than text back, he called, and I excused myself to take it.
“Hey Audra, how was your day? Is everything ok?”
“Yes, I had a great day! We moved some stuff of mine into her middle apartment and we did some shopping, too. I’m just going to stay with Cora tonight. Maeve’s heading over to hang out, too.”
“Are you sure this has nothing to do with last night?” hequietly asked. I couldn’t quite place what the emotion behind it was. Hurt? Concern?
Then it clicked. I bet he was viewing this as me not wanting to come because of embarrassment over last night. But I was looking at it like I wanted to spend some time with my gals. “Oh gosh, no. Really, it’s not Donovan. I’m just looking forward to a little girl time before you whisk me away to New York, which I can’t wait for.”
He breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Ok. I was a little nervous you scared yourself off, and we didn’t even get to the orgasms.”
Heat pooled in my belly. That kind of sexuality was foreign to me, but I sure liked it. “Don’t worry. I’m still very much here. Still planning on New York, and some more games. Like darts or something.” I physically smacked my head.Like darts or something? Clearly, I was not as good at reciprocating those sexually charged messages. Kudos to him for not audibly laughing at me on the other end, because he had to be doing it.
“Good. Our flight leaves very early Wednesday morning, so it might make the most sense for you to sleep here tomorrow, if that’s ok?”
“That sounds good. I’m scheduled to work a ten-hour shift tomorrow, so I’m going in, and then I’ll come over after I pack my bag? Around 6:30. Want me to cook dinner? I feel bad that I haven’t cooked for you since carbonara! Also, what kind of dress do I wear to the celebration dinner?” I would still pack all the fun things I bought, but at least I’d have a better idea.
“As for the New York dinner dress code, formal, think a cocktail dress. As for dinner here tomorrow, you just worry about packing and getting here. I’ll take care of everything else. Enjoy your night, Audra.”
“You too, Donovan.”
I hung up the phone and felt warm butterflies all over. When’s the last time a man genuinely cared about my plans or status? I was more than a little giddy. In New York, I was going to lay it all on the line and tell him what was going on in my head. I just hoped he would be honest and upfront with me about what his situation was and any weird shit he had to adhere to.
36
DONOVAN
Ibreathed a sigh of relief after talking to her.
When she said she wasn’t coming to my house, I was convinced she had freaked out over how I rejected her advances. If I thought for a minute that she would be ok with it, I would have let it continue, but I was so worried she would feel differently when the sun came up, that I stopped it. I wasn’t willing to take the risk of losing what I was chipping away at to get off for just one night. I bit my lip thinking about how hot it was when she jumped into my arms in the pool and then on top of me in bed. Even though I was the one that pulled her away, my resolve was hanging by a thread.
At least I’d get her back here tomorrow night,I thought. Since she’d never been to New York, I switched our flight to 6 a.m. so we could maximize our time. I had her send me a text of the top five things she wanted to see or do, and I intended to make as many as I could happen. Even though the thought of being a true tourist in my city made my skin crawl a little, she wanted to do it all: Times Square, Statue of Liberty, 9/11Memorial, Central Park, and a Broadway show. I also wanted to surprise her and show her the things she didn’t know existed. Like taking her to the Evolution Store because she had been so bummed about missing the flea market, or go to the Ghostbuster Firehouse because she had mentioned it as one of her favorite childhood movies by default because her brothers always watched it. The next forty-eight hours were going to be a whirlwind in the best way possible. I contacted my old driver, Miles, to see if he could shuffle us around. The man had played, arguably, the most important role in my life, and it had been too long since I’d seen him.
The following day, I planned to work, go home to cook us dinner, and then go to bed early. I had a lady to win over in New York, after all.
