“And the… is that aneyeball?”
“Museums, things to see.” Toni grinned. “The ‘A-plus’ is the college, like on an essay.”
Addie looked like she might be trying to resist smiling. “You’re funnier than you admit.”
“You’re just biased.” Toni looked away. Being with Addie for breakfast, chatting with her, this was far too nice, too cozy, even. Toni cleared her throat and took another drink of coffee. “You can take my spare key or just leave the bolt undone and use the code. It’s a safe area.”
“Says the lady with multiple locks.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “The only time they’re all locked is when Em visits. She tends to use them all.”
Neither of them had mentioned the reason Addie was here in DC, or publicists, or the gossip, but ignoring it wasn’t going to do them any favors. Toni said, “You’ll let me know if you hear any news from the LA team?”
Addie sighed. “So far, nothing but the idea is that we just need to let it blow over. There’s always something new and juicy. The attention will die down.”
“Okay.” Toni nodded, and they ate in silence. Finally when it really was getting to the point that Toni had to get ready, she said, “It’s nice to see you longer. I mean, not necessarily under these circumstances but… if you wanted to visit again…”
“I need to think,” Addie said softly. “You were a jerk to me, even though I didn’t do anything to deserve that. I didn’t send pictures or plot this or—”
“I know. I apologized,” Toni reminded her.
“And then you tensed up about me being here, and overreacted at the thought of me borrowing a shirt.…” Addie plucked at the shirt. “I thought we were friends.”
Toni sighed. “We seem to either misunderstand each other, or I screw up—”
“Or we get along great and have mind-blowing sex,” Addie interjected. “I know the first time was me misunderstanding and overreacting.”
“This PR mess was my turn to overreact, I guess.” Toni stood, finished her coffee, and carried her plate to the sink. “Would you mind people knowing we were involved?”
“Not at all. I am not ashamed. Are you?”
“No. I’m… private.” Toni met her gaze, determined to fix this. “I didn’t think it through when I suggested the wedding. I just wanted to spend the weekend with you.”
“I know.”
“Do you want to meet for lunch? I really do want our friendship to work, even if it shifts to a friendship without sex.” Toni glanced back, then washed her plate and fork. “I’m free at one.”
“I’ll text.” Addie smiled, but it didn’t quite go all the way to her eyes. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I need a little time to think, Toni. I get that you have baggage, but you hurt me.”
There was nothing else to say to that, so Toni refilled her coffee and said, “You can text if you need anything else, too.”
And then she tried not to let her face show how much Addie’s withdrawal stung. It wasn’t like Toni could give her a real relationship,but she wasn’t ready to call this quits. Eventually, she’d have to, but right now, Addie was here.
In my home. Wearing my clothes. Cooking me breakfast.
How was Toni to keep her at distance? How was she to resist her?
Later, when there were thousands of miles between them, they could go back to emailing. Right now, Toni wanted to cancel her classes and take Addie to bed. What was the harm? Publicity would sort out the marriage mistake. It wasn’t even a legal marriage, so it ought to be simple enough to get in front of this.
Why not enjoy the honeymoon she supposedly was on?
Chapter 34Toni
Walking out of her condo and leaving Addie there was one of the most unexpectedly difficult things Toni had done that year. Worse than starting a new college position. Worse than a book tour. This was something in her belly that felt like fear, as if she’d turn around and discover that Addie was already long gone.But I didn’t want her here in the first place,Toni argued with herself.I should be okay with this.
Toni hadn’t expected that sense of panic or worry that she was losing something before she even had it, but there it was—and she was steadfastly not thinking on it. Instead, she got in her Jeep and dialed Emily.
“I always know you’re panicking when you call before ten,” Emily said.
