One of these days I’m going to be right about something and rub it in his face. I know Sadie is safe, and I really didn’t have anything planned for work. It’s only a couple days, and I could use a small break. I’ve never really had one. I head into the kitchen to find him.
“Fine. You win.”
“I usually do.” He smirks at me, leaning against the counter.
From that moment on, I do have a great day. Ashton doesn’t let me lift a finger. He cooks, cleans, and even lets me pick the movie. No one has ever done that for me. Tony wasn’t a romantic. He loved me, and sometimes did sweet things, but it was never on this level. I decide to call Sadie. I might have been kidnapped, but I can still call my daughter.
“Why are you calling?” Tiff whispers into the phone.
“Because I want to talk to Sadie.”
“You’re supposed to be having sex.”
I roll my eyes. I know in my head that this is where it’s all leading, but I don’t need to act like a horny teenager. “Let me talk to her.” I hear Tiff yell for her, and a moment later, she’s on the phone.
“Hi, Mommy.”
“Are you having fun?”
“Yes. Aunt Tiff and I had chicken nuggets.”
I shake my head. “Well, did you have vegetables?”
Sadie pauses. “Do french fries count?”
I groan, but what’s the point of arguing? “As long as you’re having a good time.”
“I am. Are you having fun on your adventure?”
“My what?”
“Aunt Tiff said you’re off on an adventure, like Dora, and you’re trying to find something.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, I’m enjoying my adventure.” I see Ashton walk into the living room, chuckling.
“I love you, Mommy.”
“I love you, too. See
you soon.”
Ashton hands me a glass of wine as I set my phone down.
“I just called Reed, so we should be good for the rest of the night.”
I curl up to his side, realizing that we are officially alone. I know that he isn’t going to pressure me into anything. The thing is, I want to.
“I’ll be right back.” I get up from the couch and head to his bedroom. I grab my suitcase and walk into the master bathroom. I lean over the sink and try to figure out everything that has happened in the last month. I like Ashton. I do. He treats me with respect, and I can see that he cares for me and Sadie.
Do I love him?
I take a deep breath. I care for him., but I can’t say the love word for him.
Does that mean I shouldn’t sleep with him?
My body shivers, thinking about his lips and hands on me. I think about Tony. We were sixteen when we had sex the first time. It was a hot mess. Neither of us had a clue what we were doing.
I close my eyes, remembering the last time we were together. Tony was home on a two-week leave. I was four months pregnant. We spent most of our nights making love and talking about our future. Tony had planned on finishing his contract, and then going to college. He wanted to watch our daughter grow up.