Page 94 of Center Ice
“Because we’ve talked.”
“Stop interfering, Jameson.”
“I’m not interfering.”
“Okay, stop overstepping then. You’re not my dad. And even if you were, I’m a grown-ass woman and don’t need you stepping in to protect me. Drew and I can talk through things on our own.”
On the other end of the line, Jameson grunts, “Fine.”
“Okay, I’ll have Graham ready in an hour. Thank you so much for taking him. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to repay you for all the times you guys have watched him recently.”
“I’m hoping to take Lauren away for a weekend, probably between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe you can take the twins for the weekend?”
“Absolutely.” Lauren and Jameson almost never ask me to watch the twins, but they take Graham all the time, so it’s the least I can do.
When we hang up, I text Drew to find out what I should pack.
Drew:
Nothing. I plan to have you naked all night.
Audrey:
Am I staying at your place, or are we going somewhere else?
Drew:
My place. For real, wear comfy clothes—we’re staying in. Maybe bring a toothbrush and face wash? I don’t know. What do girls need to spend the night somewhere?
Audrey:
Has a girl never spent the night at your place???
Drew:
Not sure how you want me to respond to that?
Audrey:
Are you for real? Like, have you never had a girlfriend?
Drew:
I’ve dated, but any spending the night was more of an unplanned thing. I guess I’ve never had a serious relationship. I’ve certainly never wanted to spend every free moment with anyone, until you.
Audrey:
So what am I? Like a test to see if you like having a girlfriend?
Drew:
Pretty sure I’ve made it clear that you’re my future wife. But sure, you can call yourself my girlfriend if you need to put a label on this.
The mostly empty take-out containers litter the coffee table, and the candles Drew lit when I arrived are burning low. I sit back against the bottom of the couch and rub my stomach.
“Why did you let me eat so much?” I groan, looking around the space.
Drew’s condo isn’t at all what I expected. Instead of being all wood and metal and glass like I’d envisioned, it’s homey and cozy. The couch that serves as a divider between his living and dining room is a beautiful shade of off-white. Two brown leather chairs face the couch on the other side of the big, wooden coffee table, which is currently decorated with candles, two placemats, and the remnants of the dinner that arrived right as I did. There’s a TV hanging above the fireplace, but it’s one of those framed TVs that shows artwork when it’s turned off, so it doesn’t look like a TV at all.
