“I don’t know.” Another pout.
“Do you love him?”
“Of course I do. Why do you think I’m soterrified?” Maddy shook her head, overwhelmed.
“Ok, let’s back up. Do you trust him?”
“Yes. Without a doubt.” She noddedemphatically after she pulled her head up from the table.
“Is the sex incredible?”
Maddy sighed, a stupid grin taking over herface. “Yes,” she replied dreamily.
“Do you want to be with him so much ithurts?”
“Yes. And it’s a very new, very weirdsensation.”
“Do you want to spend every day with him?”Payson eyed her friend, “Eat your croissant.” Maddy obeyed withoutargument, taking a big bite of her croissant. As she chewed, Paysonfired away, “Have you pictured him holding a tiny baby? Practicedsaying Mrs. Anderson? Have you thought about how sexy he’ll lookwith gray in his sideburns? Can you picture yourself with anyoneelse ever–”
Maddy tried to quickly chew so she couldswallow and stop her friend from continuing, but had taken too bigof a bite. Putting her hand over Payson’s mouth, she chewed andchewed. Finally, she was able to swallow the large bite. “Slowdown, woman. I get it.”
Payson nodded, “So, again, why are youterrified?”
Maddy felt her eyebrows push together. Herbrain hurt from thinking so hard. “I don’t know. I just didn’t likewho I was this morning when I was afraid and felt alone.”
“Haven’t you ever felt afraid before?”
“Of course I have.” Stupid logic.
“One thing I know about you, is that you aredamn stubborn. And tough. When you’re scared, you face it headon.”
“So, you’re saying I should…?” Maddy’seyebrows raised in question, awaiting a brilliant response.
“I think you’ll figure it out. You’re almostthere.” Payson pulled her friend into a half hug.
Maddy managed a small laugh, “You are crazy,but I love you Payson.”
They finished their breakfasts and enjoyedsome time to justbe. Without worrying about crazy stalkers,relationships, the future.
31
Maddy was glad to be back on duty Thursdayafternoon. It was going to be a late night, but she was sufferingfrom a nasty case of cabin fever. She was also glad to get her mindoff of Chase for a bit. She knew what she had to do. What shewanted. But needed to gear herself up for it.
Last night, he’d come back from work late.Apparently, they’d had some issues with the boats and even a fewprocessers suddenly quit. Chase had no doubt that Dylan wasresponsible, but Andrea still hadn’t been able to track him down.They were forced to remain incredibly diligent to keep thingsrunning smoothly and safely.
He must be so stressed out. But he didn’tshow it. As was classically Chase, he simply kept moving forward,doing what needed to be done. Her dad would be home tomorrowmorning, hopefully giving Chase some relief. Not that he neededhelp or would even consider asking unless absolutely necessary, buthe would appreciate it all the same.
She’d made him dinner last night, had greetedhim with a warm meal. They’d hardly talked. Both tired andoverwhelmed. He dragged her to bed shortly after and made love toher all night. He’d been so attentive, so passionate.
It hadn’t been the desperate fire like it hadbeen that night after the beach party. Rather, it was softer, moreintimate. Dragged her more deeply in love with him.
Pleasantly drowning in her feelings for him.An oxymoron, but that’s how it felt. She thought she’d be afraid,but the further she fell for him, the more… empowered she felt.Somehow, she wasn’t afraid anymore. Must be that peace andacceptance Payson was talking about.
“Ahem,” Ian’s loud throat clearing broughther back to the moment. He sat at the corner of her desk, thecorner of his mouth turned up in full-mock. “What’s with you, spacecadet?”
“Sorry, a lot on my mind.” Maddy forced aninnocent smile back.
“Let’s get to work then; I’m sure picking upa few drunk and disorderlies will soothe your nerves beautifully.”He hopped up and tipped his head towards the exit, motioning her toget moving.
