Addie rolled her eyes and attempted to close the door, pushing against it to no avail. Patrick was stronger than she was by a long shot. “What the fuck? You can’t be in here.”
Not budging, Patrick glared at her, his eyes dark. “Are you happy with him?”
“Ha! How about nice to see you? How have you been? No. This is where you want to start?”
“Addison, answer me. Are you happy?”
Addie crossed her arms, glaring at him before finally speaking. “What fucking business is it of yours?”
Patrick laughed.
Addie stared at the floor, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Patrick pushed his way further into the stall, locking the door behind him. For a moment they just stood there staring at one another, and before Addie could say anything, Patrick grabbed both sides of her face and fell into her, kissing her deeply. Soon, hands were everywhere. Patrick pushed her skirt up, lifting her slightly, forcing her back up against the wall as he slammed into her. He pushed into her hard and fast. Addie dug her nails into his back, which only made him push harder. They grabbed fistfuls of hair, unable to take their eyes off one another, their passion and their eyes saying everything they couldn’t. When he was finished, Patrick slowly pulled away.
Breathless, he bent down and kissed her bare shoulder. “Goddamn, Addison. I’ve missed you so much.”
Addie smoothed her skirt, trying to gain composure. She refused to let herself get hurt again. “Look, this . . . This was a mistake.” Even as the words escaped her lips, Addie knew full well she was lying, even to herself.
Patrick searched her eyes. “Are you drunk?”
“No. Why?”
Addie opened the stall door, sighing in relief that they were alone.
She stepped out as Patrick grabbed her by the arm. “Leave with me. Now. Out the back door.”
Addie frowned, rubbing her arm. “What about Shelly?”
“Who?” Patrick chuckled, flashing his signature grin.
Addie punched his forearm. “Your date, asshole.”
Patrick grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers, ushering her toward the exit. “She’ll be fine.”
The next morning, Addie woke up alone in Patrick’s bed, angry with herself. After all she had been through only to wind up back here nearly brought her to tears.
She checked her phone. Six missed calls and two voicemails, all from Carter. Shit. He was going to be pissed.
“Good morning, sunshine.” Patrick said, opening the bedroom door and interrupting her thoughts. “Coffee?” he said, thrusting a tray in her direction.
Addie slid upwards to a sitting position as he placed the tray over her knees. “Thanks.”
As Addie lifted the mug to her lips, she noticed something in Patrick’s face change: a thought, a look, she couldn’t place. She took another sip of her coffee as he slid off the bed. She picked up a piece of bacon and took a bite before realizing what it was he was doing.
Seeing him there, kneeling on one knee, holding the little blue box, caused her to choke on the bacon. She tried another sip of coffee. Finally, clearing her throat, Addie chuckled and waved him off, but Patrick didn’t budge.
“Addison, will you marry me?”
Addie blinked, pinching herself to make sure she was awake.
Patrick pinched her too.
“Ouch.”
“You’re awake.” He said smiling. “And I asked you a question.”
Addie’s heart began racing. “Wait! You’re serious?”
“Look, I was dumb enough to lose you once and I’m sorry. So fucking sorry. But I’m smart enough to know that I don’t want it to ever happen again. Please, Addison? Say you’ll marry me.”