“Hollis, it’s not your concern about Hailey getting hurt that’s odd. What did you just say to me? Think about it.”
I shrugged. “I have no idea. But I’m guessing you’re about to enlighten me.”
“You said, when things go south, Hailey’s going to suffer.”
“So?”
“What does when things go south look like to you?”
Did she really need it spelled out for her? I thought it was pretty damn clear. “Hailey’s not attached to many people. When Elodie leaves, she’s going to be hurt. What part of this is so hard for you to understand?”
Addison frowned. “The part that you’re so certain she’s leaving. Not every woman is going to abandon you. But if you go into this relationship with the ending to the story already written, everything you do will be leading you in that direction.”***I knew she was staying because I hadn’t left yet. That was typical Addison. Normally, it would be a business issue I was struggling with—a client asking me to do something I wasn’t sure about, or something going on with an employee that didn’t sit right with me. We’d air things out in the morning, generally disagree, and then hours later, on my way out for the night, I’d stop at her office and together we’d find a middle ground on how to handle things.
Only today it wasn’t about business.
I took the seat across from her, on the other side of her desk, and leaned back into the chair. “So how do I change it?”
Addison slipped her glasses from her face and tossed them on top of a stack of papers. “You allow yourself to give things a real chance.”
“And how the hell do I do that?”
“Well, you have to start by changing your outlook. It’s not going to happen overnight. But you need to believe that happiness is a possibility for you. Start small. Think of something you’re thankful for and express it in some way. It doesn’t have to be grandiose. Just accept things you’re thankful for and acknowledge them as positive instead of waiting for them to turn negative.”
“Okay.”
“Also, use positive words. Instead of saying this is a disaster, say we’ll work it out. And make plans in your personal life that are more than a few days in the future—maybe a trip next month with Elodie, or even tickets to a play in the fall with Hailey. It’ll show them you’re thinking long term.”
I sighed. “Okay. I can do that.”
“It’s going to take time, Hollis. Just take small steps and try not to worry about the ending. Instead, enjoy the journey.”
I arched a brow. “When did you become the freaking Dalai Lama?”
Addison smiled. “Right after my second divorce, when I decided it was time for me to actually be happy.”Chapter 31* * *ElodieI’d been anxious all day.
Anxious to see Hollis, since the last time I’d seen him he’d had his head between my legs.
Anxious about whether he’d come home with a change of heart about us.
Anxious because he hadn’t texted me more than a few words all day.
So when I heard the key jingling in the lock of the front door, I jumped a little.
“Hey.” I stood in the living room, feeling unusually awkward.
Hollis walked toward me, his eyes roaming my body with each step. The air began to crackle as he glanced around the living room. “Where’s Hailey?”
“Shower. She just went in. We painted today, so she might be a while. Her hands got as much color as the canvas.”
Hollis hooked one large arm around my waist and pulled me flush against him. His neck bent, and he brushed his lips over mine. “Good. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this mouth all day.”
All the anxiousness rushed out of me in one giant sigh. I wrapped my hands around his neck. “I’ve been thinking about your mouth, too. Mostly how talented it is.”
He arched a brow. “Is that so?”
I nodded with a goofy grin. “I’m glad we amended the rules.”
“Me, too.” His eyes swept over my face. “I got us tickets to an art show I thought you might like. A client of mine owns a gallery.”
“Oh, wow. That’s nice. When is it?”
Hollis brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. “Labor Day weekend.”
Warmth spread through my chest. “Okay. Thank you. That sounds great. I have some plans for us, too.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded. “I spoke to Lindsey Branson today, Megan’s mother. Megan’s coming over tomorrow to hang out with Hailey.”
“That’s good.”
“And apparently the Bransons have a boat and are going to Block Island next weekend. They invited Hailey to go with them—for the entire weekend.”
Hollis’s eyes darkened. “I like your plans better than mine. Actually, I have only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
Hollis leaned into me. “I have to wait until next weekend to be inside you.” He started to kiss my neck and gave me goose bumps.