I wanted to cry, but had to stop myself. Her words overwhelmed me. I knew they were coming from a place of fear, in a sense. For her to have relaxed her attitude so drastically on my spending time with Gavin meant that on some level she was afraid she wouldn’t be around long enough to witness me being truly happy about anything.
At the same time, she was right. I’d regret it if I didn’t take any chances or never followed my heart. And even though Gavin was leaving soon, my heart wasn’t ready to let him go yet.
“Thank you for supporting me. Gavin has been a huge help through all of this. I really want this time with him.”
“Then, take it. And have an amazing time, beautiful daughter,” she said. “Just be careful—in every way. I know you’re smart. You won’t do anything you’re not ready for. I also know that if you do decide the time is right, you’ll be responsible.”
I didn’t intend to go there this weekend, but I also couldn’t be a hundred-percent certain I wouldn’t. I wasn’t sure I was trying to stop that from happening anymore.***Marni lay on her stomach, watching me as I packed.
“You guys are so gonna bang this weekend.”
I folded some jeans and placed them in my faded Vera Bradley duffel bag. “Not really sure how you could know that.”
“Because I see the way you look at each other. It’s like a simmering fire waiting to explode. This is going to be your first opportunity to be alone with him. Not to mention, if this weekend isn’t some sort of love fest, why the hell didn’t I get an invite to Casa Masterson, huh? We’re all supposed to be friends, yet Gavin didn’t text me to tell me about this little party. He wants you alone.”
Marni had introduced me to her girlfriend recently.
“You and Jenny are welcome to stop by. I’m sure Gavin wouldn’t mind. Maybe you can come over for a swim.”
“Whatever. You see if you still want us over once you get there. Put it this way: I won’t be holding my breath for a phone call or a text. I don’t want to be a cock block.”
Tossing my bikini into the bag, I chuckled. “You’re funny.”
She pointed her index finger at me. “You know what you should do?”
“What?”
“You should raid that witch’s panty drawer and put itching powder in her underwear.”
I laughed. “No matter how rude Ruth is to me, there’s still a part of me that recognizes the need to respect her because she’s Gavin’s mom.”
“Well, you’re a better person than I am. I’d make that witch itch.”
“You’re crazy.”
She was cracking herself up. “Make that rich bitch itch.”
“I don’t need to do anything, Marni. Karma takes care of everything. Don’t you know that?”
“Well, what did your mom ever do to deserve what she’s going through?”
Her words caused me to freeze. Life was so unfair.
My heart felt heavy as I shrugged. “Sometimes bad things happen to good people. And I’ll never understand it.”CHAPTER TEN* * *GAVINIt seemed surreal, like an effing dream, to be driving Raven back to my house on Saturday, knowing I wouldn’t have to take her home later. I still couldn’t believe I was going to have her all to myself this weekend. My stomach was in knots, but not in a bad way. It was filled with anticipation and an excitement like I’d never experienced.
She looked so beautiful. Her long, black waves blew in the wind as we drove with the windows down. Her eyes were half closed as she smiled and soaked in the sun. Our day hadn’t even started, and I somehow knew I would remember this moment for as long as I lived.
We pulled into the driveway and walked hand in hand to my front door.
“I’m so freaking happy to have you here. I don’t even know where to begin,” I said as we entered the house.
Raven walked into the empty kitchen. Her voice echoed. “It feels really weird to be here. Sort of like I’m breaking and entering.”
My chest grew tight. “It’s not fair that you have to feel that way. You should feel comfortable, like this is your home. But I get why you don’t.”
She shrugged. “It is what it is.”
I caressed her cheek with my thumb before tracing it over her lips. I started singing the lyrics to “I Think We’re Alone Now.”
“Perfect song for today.” She smiled.
“I’m really grateful for this time with you.”
“Me, too.”
“What do you want to do first?” I asked.
“I guess we should enjoy the pool. We’re supposed to be getting some rain later.”
“Okay. That sounds good. Why don’t you go get changed? I’ll make us some snacks.”
Raven disappeared into one of the bathrooms. When she reemerged, it took everything in me not to gawk at her gorgeous body. Her breasts spilled out of the shiny, gold bikini she’d put on. Her body was banging. I’d always thought so, but never had I seen her so scantily clad in broad daylight like this. She’d wrapped a towel around her waist. As she leaned over the kitchen counter, her cleavage was all I could see. My mouth watered. I wanted to lick a line down the middle. Well, what I actually wanted to do to those tits was a lot more indecent than that. My dick rose to attention. It was going to be very interesting trying to hide my excitement today.