I call Beth first. She’s all checked in, as are the three other people she brought with her. These so-called friends of mine are just here for a free vacation. My mom organizes this, and I can’t stand it. Then I call my mom.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, baby girl. How is your trip going?”
“Going great. Relaxing by the pool.”
“Sounds good. I just wanted to tell you that the Anastassakis’ family will be here for a dinner party when you get home. Their Alex can’t wait to meet you.” That’s the first time I hear his name.
“About that, Mom.”
“Don’t start, Georgie. At least meet the man before rejecting him outright.”
“I can’t, Mom.”
“Why not?” she asks. I take a deep breath. It’ll be best just to tell her and get it over with.
“I met someone.”
“Well, have some vacation fun and come on home.”
“It’s not like that, Mom. He’s the one.”
“A bum from Key West isn’t the one.”
“He’s not a bum from Key West. It’s Cain Adams.”
“Deedee Adams’ son?”
“I guess. I don’t know his mom yet.”
“Well, this could work too.”
“I’m so glad my life can work, mom,” I reply sarcastically.
“Sarcasm doesn’t suit you,” she says.
“Okay, mom. I have to go now,” I say when the door to the room opens and Cain comes in. “Love you.” I hang the phone up and toss it on the nightstand.
“Well, that was interesting,” Cain says, chuckling.
“Yeah. We’re going to Waterpolo tonight. Nedeara says to bring Abel.”
“That’ll be a fun night.
And boy was it.
One week later, we sit side by side on the Adams’ private jet going home. We live ten blocks from each other and never knew it. Instead of going home, he takes me to his place. It’s on the thirtieth floor and has an excellent view of Central Park.
“Let me show you around,” he says.
“Why don’t you show me the bedroom?” I ask. He’s turned me into an animal.
“That’s why I love you,” he says absentmindedly as he unbuttons my dress.
“Wait!” I say, pulling back from him. “You love me?”
“Of course I love you. Haven’t I told you a million times already?”
“No. No, you haven’t.”
“Well, I do. I love you.”
“I love you too,” I reply.
After he goes to sleep, I sneak out like a thief in the night. Why? Because I’m scared. This is all too much too fast for me. When I make it down the street, paparazzi are lying in wait.
Fuck. When will this end?
Epilogue
Cain
Two Months Later
She walked out on me in the middle of the night, and I haven’t been able to find her. I went to her parent’s house and their offices. No one has seen, or so they said. Even Nedeara, who has been inseparable from my brother, hasn’t heard from her or been able to reach her. I am losing my mind. I told her I loved her, and she ran away from me.
I have taken to jogging in Central Park just to take my mind off of her. It’s not fucking working. By chance, I see a woman with the same color hair walking the park.
“Georgia!” I shout. The woman stops and then speeds away. I catch up to her. Gently, I take her arm and turn her to face me.
“Cain,” she whispers, tears falling down her face.
“What happened to you? Why did you leave me?”
“I had to. I was scared. I’ve missed you so much.”
“They why did you come back?”
“I couldn’t. I left like a fucking idiot.”
“Oh, baby.”
“Speaking of,” she says.
“What?”
“I was going to tell you, I swear. I just found out that I’m pregnant.”
“When?”
“Twenty minutes ago. I was walking home through the park.”
“Fuck, Georgia. This is amazing. A baby.”
“You’re not mad?”
“Hell no. I can’t tell you how many times I thought about knocking you up.”
“It worked.”
“You’re crazy,” she says as I gather her up in my arms. I kiss her deeply.
“Let’s go home.”
“Home?”
“My home, your home. I just want to be anywhere you are.”
“Me too. I’m sorry. I love you so much,” she says.
“I love you too.”
I broke the number one rule, but I wouldn’t have done it for anyone but her. She is everything. Knowing that I’m the only man to have her makes it that much better.