Everly
We spendthe rest of the day in bed together again, only breaking away to shower and deposit our dishes in the sink downstairs. It’s the laziest and most fulfilled I’ve ever been. After, he brought me breakfast in bed, which, by the way, I highly recommend. A small little Level Up coin should have popped up because seeing a shirtless man, with the kind of body that Jack has, with his boxer briefs slung low as he carries in a tray of waffles to me in bed, has elevated my partner goals. His choices were elite. I hoped for coffee, and he went full-breakfast.
The man also managed to make me a version of a Hungry Eye, mimicking my drink obsession from Books & Brew. I’ve been won over by breakfast foods. I’ll never tell him, but I’m sure I’ve given it away by the sounds I made while eating. Not to mention the big fat smile that sat on my face from the first bite to the last sip.
“There is no way a place that serves only rice pudding could be your favorite place in New York City.” I can only laugh at his admission. “I was expecting something artsy like the MET or The Public Library!”
“Don’t be so judgy! Tell me yours.” He pulls me back into him. Hugging me from behind, he drapes his arms around me and plays with my hands.
“There’s a hidden bar inside of Grand Central. I can never remember its actual name, but my friends and I named it Secret Bar. It's not obvious to find, but once you do, it has a Great Gatsby vibe to it. High ceilings and a lot of dark greens and golds. My favorite bartender would make me a drink that he named The Everly. It was an Old Fashioned with a splash of Aperol. That’s the secret ingredient that Law is always trying to figure out, by the way. He still hasn’t gotten it, and it’s killing him.” I laugh because I haven’t thought about the place in a long time, and it was one of those places that just never leaves you.
“I’d like to try it. The way your bartender makes it. In New York.” He smiles at me, and my body warms at the sight. “I know the place, by the way. Great vibe. I could see you being there.”
Those dimples of his come out like secret weapons. This man knows how to wield his assets, there’s no doubt about that. I brush my hand along his jaw, feeling the scruff that’s started and touch the elusive dimple in his right cheek. “These are panty-melters.”
He smiles wide. “Oh, I know.”Cocky bastard.
“I think I might be heading to New York soon. All of a sudden, there are a couple of reasons to be there for a bit.” He raises his brow, waiting for me to elaborate more. We spend the next hour talking about business, specifically what I’m planning to do with the apparel. My apparel. I’ve been non-stop running different ideas and scenarios in my mind ever since Jin suggested it because, as mad as it made me, it opened my eyes. “It’s a gamble and it makes me nervous. Like, who do I think I am to just change directions completely in my mid-thirties?”
“A badass, that’s who.”
“Well, yes. That might be true. I’m excited, though. It's been a long time since I’ve felt excited about something.” I smile at him. “And someone…”
“If there was anyone to do this, beautiful, it's you. Your talent is only part of it. You are a force.” He kisses me again and smiles. “You took your father’s company and turned it into a brand that’s dominating the sports and outdoor industry. I’ve done my homework, Everly, and that was you. As soon as you stepped into that role was when Riggs started on its current trajectory.” As he’s talking, all I can think about is how much I want all of this. The new career. The life I’ve always been too afraid to go after.Him.
We talk more about New York. How we can make seeing each other work when I’m planning to kick-start things. “I have some shoots that are taking place out of the country in late January, but I’ll be back in New York by mid-February. What do you think? Want to take a chance and see where this goes?”
I lift my shoulder nonchalantly. “I guess.” I can’t hold in the laughter as he pinches my side. “Of course, I want to see where this goes. Jack, I’m in this if you are.”
He pulls us back so we’re lying flat on the bed again and turns his head toward me. “I’m in, beautiful.”