“Not unless you’re a time traveler.” Toni caught Addie’s gaze. “I don’t want anyone in my bed because of my book. You were willing to be in my armsbefore,when I was a broke-assed new college professor and notyourprofessor.”
“So I’m grandmothered in?” Addie giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, as if to stop the sound.
Toni cut a look at her. “I think I’m a bit older than you, so I’m not sure about your terminology there.”
“I do own historical drawers,” Addie said mildly.
“Oh, I remember, Lady Stewart. I definitely remember.”
As they chatted, Toni relaxed as much from Addie’s exuberance as from the view and the whisky. There was something about her that made Toni feel calmer, freer, and she wanted more of it.More Addie.Toni could admit that much to herself. She always wanted more when they talked, even in the short email exchanges.
Honestly, Toni said, “I’m glad I met you.”
“Same.” Addie looked at the menu and then told Toni, “We ordered food before dessert! Why do I keep breaking rules when I see you?”
Toni chuckled and stopped the server. “Excuse me. Can we order dessert to come before dinner?”
The server smiled. “Of course. Would you like to see the dessert tray? Or just list the options?”
Addie looked to Toni to answer, and Toni reached out and took Addie’s hand. “Whatever the lady wants.”
The delight in Addie’s expression was really all that Toni registered. Whatever she ordered was fine. Toni would have a couple bites, but really, it was about that smile. Addie was exactly the kind of friend Toni needed in her life—someone who lived with joy, someone who was a little silly, a lot impulsive, and absurdly attractive.
Friend with benefits, I hope.
She’s perfect.
Chapter 16Addie
By the time dinner had ended, Addie wondered how someone who seemed so together could be so lost, because that’s exactly what Toni was.Lost.Not in a majorly impossible-to-fix way, but in a way that made pretty clear that her life had gone off the rails somewhere. Massive trust issues. Workaholic.
How did I talk to her for a year and not know all that?
Addie had to push down her urge to ask what she could do to help. She was a fixer—a trait trained into her by years of dysfunctional parents. She wasn’t going to do that with Toni, though. No matter how much she wanted to, Addie was going to think about her own boundaries.
“Beach?” she asked after Toni settled the bill.
Toni nodded. When Toni stood this time, she offered Addie a hand, and Addie felt like a real Victorian lady. Safe. Cherished. Not that sheneededto be coddled, but it felt nice all the same.
Her phone buzzed. She looked down.Eric.A part of her, a part a little too much like her mother, wanted to ignore him. Instead, she asked, “Is it totally inconsiderate to answer this? My cousin probably wants to know about the role and…”
“Do you want privacy? I can—”
“Nope.” Addie tightened her grip on Toni’s hand slightly.
When they were outside, Addie tapped Eric’s name and called. “I’m just leaving dinner, but I got it. I got the part.”
Eric let out a whoop that Toni obviously heard. “Oooh, maybe you’ll see the sexy professor again.”
Addie winced. “Maybe.”
“I bet you do. They do these panels at Comic-Con and—”
“Let me just be inthismoment,” Addie interrupted, since the woman at her side could hear him.
“This is amazing, Ads. Everything you need. Great show. Hot woman. It’s like hitting a lottery,” Eric continued. “How are you not freaking out? Why are we not going out and celebrating?”
“Tomorrow.”
