“I’ve heard that it shows my age,” I said, referring to some of her comments from the bachelor party.
She rolled her eyes and finished off the glass of wine. I held out the bottle, and she gave me the go-ahead to fill it up.
“I apologize for my ageist comment,” she said, smiling at me. “I didn’t realize that older men could be so appealing.”
After we enjoyed dessert and she had some more wine, we got into my car, and I invited her back to my place for a nightcap.
“I’d say that I’ve had plenty to drink tonight, but I’d love to spend some more time with you. This evening has been so enjoyable. I don’t know if you noticed, but I was a bit guarded after we slept together. Sorry.”
I put her hand in mine and squeezed it. “Don’t be. You have every reason to be wary. I mean, I’m not exactly someone who’s known for being in long-term relationships. But like I said earlier, people change when they meet someone special.”
I drove us back to my place, and she rested her head on my shoulder the entire way home.
I helped her out of the car and into my house, then told her to relax on the couch. I decided against giving her any more alcohol. Instead, I grabbed her a bottle of sparkling water and then made myself a whiskey on the rocks. It wasn’t until I plugged my phone into the charger that I remembered the child custody drama.
I had made Addison the background on my cellphone. It was a decision that I questioned at first, but now that I was looking at her, I realized that I’d made the right one. Regardless of what happened, she was my daughter. Heather could never take that away from me. If Heather decided never to let me see her, well, that was only legal until Addison turned eighteen-years-old. And according to Danielle, the father had certain rights.
There would come a day when Addison would know her father. Of that, I was sure.
I walked back out into the living room, drinks in hand, and found Annie fast asleep on the couch. It was evident that she'd had a long day. I placed the drinks on the coffee table, picked her up, and then tucked her into bed in one of my guest bedrooms. I quietly stepped back, admiring her as she slept. Annie was utterly beautiful, and I knew she was much more to me than a friend and neighbor.
11
Annie
Iwoke up and yawned. As I rolled over to look at the clock on my nightstand, I found myself squinting through a double-take.
That wasn’t my nightstand.
I usually kept a Victorian-style vase full of pink flowers on top. The vase I was looking at was a modern one, with straight lines and a green plant inside. I ran my hands through my hair, wondering if I had replaced the flowers with what I assumed was a fern.
Then, I shifted my focus to the alarm clock. Mine was vintage and pink, with a pearly white face and black hands. The one in front of me was square and had no character.
That was when I realized that I wasn’t in my bedroom.
I looked out the window, which at my place was above my studio, and I had a clear view of the coffee shop across the street. I often went there before heading into work, where I ordered an organic coffee with coconut milk.
The view from that window was nothing but trees, and I suddenly realized that I wasn't in the city. I was in the upper-class countryside of River Valley.
I plopped my body back down on the bed, covered my eyes with my hands, and tried to remember the night before. I’d had some alcoholic beverages, but I couldn’t remember what kind and just how much I’d consumed. As I squinted my eyes, I started to remember an Italian restaurant, eating lasagna and having dessert.
I shot up in bed, and that’s when it hit me. Tiramisu. I had eaten the Tiramisu that Richard had recommended, right as he was about to tell me something important, and the waiter interrupted us.
As I looked around the room, I started to remember where I was. I was at Richard’s house. Julianna and I had crashed there the year before. It was after a massive party with her, Richard, and Jake. Richard had invited us over along with some of his friends, which I didn’t like. They seemed like the type who frequented strip clubs. After a few too many mixed drinks, Richard let me sleep in this exact room.
After the party that year, Julianna had stayed in the guesthouse with Jake. Richard had woken me up with breakfast in bed, concerned that I’d partied a bit too hard. I didn’t know where he was at that moment, though. The bed I slept in didn’t appear to be rumpled, which made me breathe a sigh of relief, and my dress was still snug around my waist.
That meant we didn’t have sex.
As I rubbed my temples, I realized that I’d fallen asleep on his couch. Richard must have brought me up there and tucked me into bed. Most guys would have taken advantage of the situation, but not him.
That type of romantic gesture made me realize that, despite my reservations, I wanted to be more than just friends. I wanted to be in a committed relationship with him. To hell with all of my concerns about getting hurt. If Richard was half the playboy that I thought he was, there was no way that I’d have woken up alone in one of his guest bedrooms.
I’d be in his bed with his naked body lying next to me.
I saw two bottles of water on the dresser across from the bed, with a large bottle of ibuprofen on the side.
Thank God.
