I shake my head. “As far as exes go, I broke up with Jon just before I came to San Diego. Well, he dumped me. After two years. He was planning to sow some wild oats with the office skank so put the brakes on with us so that he could do that. From what I later found out, he planned to do it temporarily, slept with her the day he dumped me, and he did this so he could be a man- whore for a bit before settling down and starting adulthood with me. Turned out, I got a job offer. I got that job offer at the perfect time because I was up to my eyebrows with having enough of my sister’s nonsense, stealing from me, expecting me to bail her out of trouble. Jon dumped me and Steph who was my best friend for a decade was talking shit about me and I overheard her when I was already broken hearted. So, your Dad’s offer came at a perfect time. I had been treated like plankton on the corporate food chain despite the fact that I was one of the hardest working people in that office and… you know the rest. I don’t have any ugly asshole ex stories before that.”
He reaches over and caresses my cheek. “I’m an asshole. You already know that about me. I’m also very fuckin’ interested in being with you and trying to be less of an asshole.”
I smile. “You’ve been doing great since Sunday night.”
“Let’s see if I can keep up my winning streak. Got good incentive.”
I smile again and take a sip of my wine.
“So, tomorrow morning, I’ve got a flight booked for ten o’clock. I’ll see if I can get you back on it. If not, we’ll get a later flight together.”
“Sounds good.”
I finish my food and then we curl up together in his bed and watch episode four of That 70’s Show on Netflix, my cheek on his chest, his hands playing with my curls.
“When we get back, can we take Braeden to the San Diego Zoo?” I ask.
He squeezes me. “Absolutely.”
“Can I meet your sister and your baby niece?” I ask.
“Yeah, baby.”
I hold my hand out, palm up. A second goes by and I’m about to explain the gesture. I don’t need to, though, because then he tickles it with his fingertip. I nuzzle in.
He laughs at me and kisses the top of my head.
I fall asleep smiling, feeling absolutely smitten.
38
AIDEN
I slept with a girl in my bed last night. A girl that I’m pretty crazy about. She wrapped herself around me all night and I fuckin’ loved it.
Now, we’re back in San Diego, heading into the lobby of the condo, and my mother is standing there by the security desk.
Fuck sakes.
She’s wearing a white power suit and enough diamonds to fund a small war. She’s got her eyes on Carly and they’re appraising. I grab Carly’s hand protectively. Carly looks up at me and then her eyes dart to my mother and I see hesitation on her face.
“You are back,” Audra greets.
“I am. I’d planned to come see you tomorrow, but good you’re here. We can chat.”
My mother looks surprised. She wasn’t expecting me to come see her. She must still think she’s effectively hiding shit.
The security guard is sitting there with uncertainty. I give him a nod. She must have been stopped from going up. I sent specific directions that no one was permitted access, even if they insisted I’d allow it. He looks relieved to see me. No doubt she’s been making his life miserable for however long she’s been standing here.
We move to the elevator and when the door opens, I gesture for my mother to enter. She does. Carly goes next. I wheel Carly’s suitcase into the elevator and press the button.
“Mother, this is Carly Adler.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Carmichael,” Carly says and extends her hand.
My mother looks at it a beat, rolls her eyes and then gives Carly a limp handshake.
Carly’s face is going pink but she’s trying to be friendly.