“Bye, Everly. Can we come back and visit?” she asks.
“You’re welcome at my shop anytime.”
“You want more donuts?” Holt chuckles.
Naomi seems to ponder for a few short seconds. “Everly is very pretty and she’s nice.”
Her answer catches me off guard.
“That she is,” Holt nods.
I blush so furiously, I bring the back of my hand against my warm cheeks.
CHAPTER 23
Everly
“Open the door right this second, Everly,” Ainsley shouts from outside my apartment. I’m surprised I can hear her over her loud banging.
“I’m not here.”
“News flash. I can hear you. And my brother told me you were up here.”
“Snitch.”
“You can’t send me that kind of response and not expect me to debark on you demanding the scene-by-scene.”
“You wanted me to come over to your place for dinner, I told you I can’t. I have plans.”
Ainsley called yesterday afternoon to go out for drinks after work. I suspect Callum nudged her. I told her the whole story about opening up to Holt and how I was still feeling out of sorts. I explained I’d spend my Saturday night on the couch eating Chinese food and doing an UTV.com marathon. She didn’t push. I left out the part about Holt asking me out on a date until half an hour ago. She made it to my place in record time.
“Plans?”
“Yes, plans.”
“You say that like you’re going to do laundry.”
“I wouldn’t quite put it––”
“I am not having a conversation with this door and I’m going nowhere.”
“Fine,” I say, walking to my door. “Come in.”
She stomps into my apartment with this pissed off look on her face.
“Why is it only now I find out about this? How did it happen? Where you in bed when he asked? Did you say yes immediately? Where are you guys going? Do you know what you’re going to wear yet? Shoes? Accessories? You going for designer or casual?”
I cock my head to the side and stare at her in amazement. Did she even take a breath? I haven’t had time to close the door, but already she’s bombarding me with questions.
“Whoa, calm down,” I say, lifting a hand.
“You must be kidding me. Two and a half years, zippo. One StreamTunes Award show later, and you’re dating a fucking hot rock star? It’s a pretty big flipping deal! The time to remain calm has passed, girlfriend. This is serious business.”
I laugh.
“It’s only one date,” I tell her, doing my best to stay levelheaded.
Or at least I desperately try to.
“Wash your mouth out with soap. This is LA, aka the land of endless opportunities. How many guys—a musician to boot—fuck you first—I guess it’s really twice—”
“It’s more like eight times,” I correct.
She rolls her eyes at me. “As I was saying, after all the fucking, he then asks you out on a proper date. That’s unheard of. That, my friend, is class all the way.”
“I’m pretty excited.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. Finally!”
“I can’t believe you drove all the way to my place just for this.”
I expect a smart comeback, but my cousin surprises me.
She places her hands on my shoulders. “I’m really happy for you, cuz.” Her tone is as warm as a hug.
“Thanks. It took me a while––”
“Who cares? He was worth waiting for.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.”
“Where are you guys going?” she repeats.
“He said, I’m in store for a lot of fun. He won’t reveal more.”
“I like that about him. He’s put some thought into it. It’s not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am job or a predictable dinner just to trick you into sleeping with him again,” she nods with pursed lips. “Have you decided on fashion?”
“I have. Come on,” I wave. “I’ll show you. I have to finish getting ready. He’ll be here in half an hour.”
She follows me to my bedroom.
“I had a different look in mind, but I could only see Skylar’s frowning face as she shakes her head disapprovingly. So I went with Plan B,” I say, pointing to the bed.
“Perfect! Love it! Absolutely love it!” Ainsley claps.
I opted for a feminine V-neck blue-green sleeveless top with a delicate ruffle that runs at the front. I decided to go for a pair of the vintage washed jeans that hang low and since Holt is a strapping man and I’m this short little thing, I’ll wear a pair of brown platform sandals with a blue-green accent.
“I thought casual-chic was the way to go.”
“You nailed it, Everly.” I beam. “All right, now you have to tell me how this all came about.”
Over the next few minutes, I tell Ainsley everything while I finish my makeup and hair.
“A former rocker sex god, single dad, loving father, hot, and he has blue eyes? Damn, this guy is perfect.”
“This is such a thrill for me, but I’m still careful.”
“What do you mean?”
“You said it yourself. He’s a former rocker and this is LA. I want to avoid a massive wake-up call. Men can slip in and out of women’s beds without leaving their hearts behind and some women excel at it as well, but I’m not that woman. Look at you. You can fuck ’em and leave ’em over and over again.”
“Not exactly.”
Huh?
“I thought you said you could fuck like a guy?”
“I have a strict rule.”
“Which is?”
“Two fucks, max. Anything more and it’s too dangerous.”
Now she tells me.
“What about Jesse?”
“He’s in a league of his own,” she blushes. “After the first time with him, I knew it was different.”
Wow.
“It’s a little late for me since I’m well past the two fucks mark.”
Ainsley laughs.
“I want to keep my emotions in check. There’s still this nagging feeling at the back of my mind that thinks guys like Holt can’t offer more. Maybe this is just a convenient fuck for him. If I play it cool, I won’t be devastated.”
My cousin shakes her head vehemently.
“What?” I ask.
“Honey, it’s more than strictly a sex thing between you two. He came yesterday to your shop to make sure you were okay. He could’ve called or texted, but he didn’t. And, he had his daughter and dog in tow. He cares.”
“He was taking her to ballet.”
“Nonsense!” she snaps. “He could’ve dropped by while she was in class. He wanted to see you again. The daughter bit is amazing. What a sweet introduction.”
I ponder her words.
“Clearly you trust him enough to allow him to tie you up—I still can’t get over that,” she shakes her head, “no matter how daring, it was still purely physical. A few days ago, you shared a secret you had buried deep. Holt didn’t run away. He manned-up. And his kid likes you. I’d say you two have a good thing going on.”