Now, I’m about to head off, and I look up as Channing wanders into the room.
“Going somewhere?” he asks as I stuff my feet into a pair of sneakers. For the first time in weeks, I’m wearing normal clothes instead of one of the many silky, delicate pieces of lingerie that he tears off my curves.
“That’s right,” I sass back. “Ava says that she’s super excited to see me. We’re besties, not testes!” I joke in reference to my friend’s fake name.
He laughs.
“Well, she has great taste in friends.” Then, he presses a fond kiss to my forehead. “Okay, have fun, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself.” The man is godawful handsome and always smells so good as I inhale a mix of male musk, spruce, and citrus.
“But you’re biased,” I tease. “Of course, you think I’m a great friend because you think I’m a great everything!”
Channing nods.
“So, what if I am biased? That’s okay. I’m just saying what I feel.” He reaches for me, and I move into his arms again without having to think about it. He holds me close and kisses the top of my head once more as I press my nose into his chest and take a deep breath. This man is magnetic and I’m having a hard time leaving the warmth of his embrace. Evidently, Channing’s thinking the same thing.
“Are you sure you have to go to your old apartment today?” he murmurs in my ear. “Can’t you go tomorrow?”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’ve got that meeting tomorrow with the writers guild, and I know you’ll want me around after that.”
He sighs, knowing I’m right. Whenever he meets with writers or script supervisors, he ends up with a headache, and they’re headaches that can only be soothed with a bout of vigorous lovemaking. Still, I’m a little tempted to call Ava and tell her we’ll need to reschedule. I want to stay in his arms like this forever, but he pulls away from me.
“Alright, you’ve convinced me,” the billionaire says with a grin, swatting me on the bottom. “Go on, before I change my mind.”
“I’ll be back soon,” I assure him. “Don’t worry.” Then, I blow him a kiss and head out the door with a merry wave.
Getting onto the subway, I marvel at what’s changed. Or rather, nothing has changed except for me. The silver metal train is still the same, as are the plastic orange seats and the nondescript passengers. When I get off, I note that my street hasn’t changed either. The same buildings are there, as are Mr. Knox across the street reading his paper and Mrs. Corrister with her two dachshunds. Yet, everything feels different but I know it’s because Channing’s turned my life upside down, and I’m a different woman because of it.
I open our front door.
“Hello?” I call. “Ava, it’s me. Your long-lost roommate.”
My BFF comes out of her room in a whirl before tackling me with a big bear hug.
“Oh my god, girlfriend! It’s been ages! How are you?”
Of course, Ava knows what I’ve been up to, even if I haven’t been physically present. We chat online frequently, and I’ve kept her in the loop with respect to my liaison with Channing.
“I’m good,” I laugh. “How are you?”
“Good, but I’m soooo glad you’re back,” she giggles. “I’ve missed you!”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” I say, “But now Channing’s really busy working on a new movie, and this is the first time I’ve gotten some time to myself.”
“Not that you’re complaining, right?” Ava waggles her eyebrows at me, and I giggle, my face heating in a blush. “I knew it, he keeps you on your tootsies!” she crows.
She leads me to our tiny dining table, where she’s made a mac n’ cheese casserole and a side salad. Looking around our place, I can hardly believe I lived here for so long. Staying with Channing has absolutely spoiled me to the point that I can hardly remember this space, with its laminate counters, rickety furniture, and touch-and-go lighting. But it’s clean and cozy, and it’s nice to be back here with my best friend.
“So tell me everything, Jolene!” my buddy squeals, serving me a heaping portion of casserole. “Don’t leave a single detail out.” My mouth immediately starts watering as she sets the cheesy goodness in front of me. Nobody makes this dish better than Ava, but I start on the salad just to be good.
“It’s been amazing, Aves,” I gush, stabbing the lettuce with my fork. “Channing is the most incredible man I’ve ever met. He cares about the things that I have to say, and he makes me feel like I matter.”
“Yup, yup … so how’s the sex?” she asks.
“Ava!” I mock-frown. “Is that all you think about?”
She shrugs and grins. “Yeah, Jo. You can’t be in a relationship with a man who looks like that and expect me not to ask. Come on, I googled him the moment you told me you were with Channing Saint. That guy is a god.”