“There are two bedrooms down there. Each has its own bathroom. You guys can decide who gets what.” He tugged on my hand and I followed him to a spiral staircase hidden to the right of the dining nook.
He looked at me mischievously. “You and I get the room up here.” I followed him up the stairs that led to a loft area. The room was the size of the entire first floor.
“Oh, my God, Clay!” I said breathlessly. Again, it was the windows. There was only one wall made of wood; the other three were nothing but glass. It was like being outside. An enormous California king–sized bed sat in the middle of the room. There were stairs off to the side that went down into a sunken area with a whirlpool tub and two pedestal sinks.
“We get to sleep in here? Are you kidding me?” I asked incredulously. I ran and jumped on the bed, laughing as I bounced. Clay stalked toward me and made a show of crawling on the bed until he was over me. I looked up into his face and smiled. I was so happy.
He pressed his mouth to mine, his tongue invading and conquering. I groaned as he licked my bottom lip, teasing it with his teeth. “Nothing but the best for you, Maggie,” he said softly into the skin of my neck as he nuzzled me. I ran my fingers through his hair and molded my body against his. Clay left light kisses along the side of my face as he interlaced his fingers with mine.
“This place is seriously unbelievable. Thank you so much for inviting us,” I told him as he pulled me tighter against him.
Running his fingertips down my face, Clay smiled. “I know things have been tense lately. I haven’t given you many reasons to smile.”
I started to protest, but he covered my mouth with his finger.
“I’m not blind. I know what being with me has done to your life. I see how your friends, your parents—hell,everybody—looks at you because you’re with me. I haven’t done much to give them a positive impression of me. I just wanted a chance to prove that I’m not such a bad guy. For your friends to see how much you mean to me and that I would literally do anything in the world for you. Then, maybe, they wouldn’t look at us like we shouldn’t be together.”
I hated that this was where we found ourselves. That he was so aware of the fact that no one understood our relationship and what we meant to each other. I wasn’t sure one night with my friends would erase the months of damage. But I wanted to be as positive about it as he was.
“I love you,” I whispered before kissing him again, wanting totake away the sadness and pain that never seemed to leave Clay’s face.
“Uh, guys, we have a problem, here,” I heard Rachel call from downstairs. Clay sighed and rested his forehead on my chest.
“That doesn’t sound good,” he commented.
I chuckled and got up. “Come on. Let’s go see what monumental crisis we have to avert.” I straightened my rumpled shirt and smoothed my hair before following Clay downstairs.
Ray and Clare were gone when we entered the kitchen. Daniel was sitting on one of the stools at the island, his head propped on his hand, looking annoyed.
“What’s up?” I asked, looking at Daniel, who I knew from experience was usually the source of Rachel’s problems.
Daniel rolled his eyes. “You’d have to ask her. I don’t see that thereisany problem.” I looked at Rachel, waiting for her to explain.
“I’ll tell you what the problem is. There is only one extra room! And there’s only one queen-sized bed in there! I told Daniel, if he were a gentleman he’d sleep on the couch, but he’s refusing. He says I’m being ridiculous! Can you believe it?Himcallingmeridiculous? That’s just rich!” Rachel shot daggers at Daniel, who looked bored with the whole debate.
“Uh, Rache, it’s not like you haven’t shared a bed with Daniel before,” I reminded her.
Rachel huffed. “We were, like, eight. That does not count, okay? Tell him he has to sleep on the couch, Clay.” Rachel turned to my boyfriend, drawing him squarely into the middle of the argument. Clay looked flustered and his eyes found mine in a silent appeal. I knew he was worried about making Rachel any angrier. But I didn’t know how to help him, so I just shrugged.
Clay put his hand through his hair in that flustered way he was known for. “Well, Rachel. I can’t really saywhogets the bedroom. I mean, that’s really something the two of you have to decide.” Rachel looked like she wanted to throw something.
“Well, I’m not sleeping on the couch. If the thought of sharing a bed with me disgusts you that much,yousleep on the couch,” Daniel remarked grumpily. He hopped down from the stool and grabbed his overnight bag.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Rachel asked him angrily.
He started walking down the hallway. “I’m taking my bag tomyroom. Later,” he called over his shoulder.
Rachel whipped around and gave Clay and me a steely glare. “What the hell am I supposed to do? I shouldn’t have to sleep on the couch because he’s being a dick.” I patted my best friend’s back.
“I have a solution for you,” I whispered conspiratorially.
Rachel looked at me, interested. “Yeah?” she asked.
“Why don’t you stop being such a stubborn pain in the ass and take your stuff back to the bedroom? One night sharing a bed won’t kill you.”
Rachel harrumphed, picked up her bright-pink bag, and stomped down the hallway after Daniel. “You’d best stay on your side of the bed or I’ll cut off your testicles while you sleep!” I heard her yelling. I couldn’t hear Daniel’s response.
Clay looked bewildered. “She’s scary when she’s mad. I’d hate to be Daniel right now,” he said, going to the refrigerator and pulling out a beer. I cocked my eyebrow at him. He looked down at the can. “Okay, maybe not such a good idea.” He gave me a smile and put it back, grabbing a bottle of water instead.
