smile. It really was a sweet story. Well, if you took out Rachel storming the building. And Rachel causing a scene. And Rachel calling Charlie an idiot. Seriously, if you took out the rage and drama, it really was a sweet story. “Love at first sight does exist.”
“I’m not saying it doesn’t,” I countered. “I’m just not ready to crash and burn just yet.”
“And you’re positive you will?”
“No,” I admitted. “But I had concerns even when I thought I could accept this for a casual fling, now that I’m finding that I actually like the man…” I shrugged a shoulder. “Maybe I’m just a little gun shy.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too badly about it, Andie,” she said. “It’s only been two years since things with Steven officially ended. Maybe you just need to tell Nathan that you need to go slow.”
“It’s a little too late for that, don’t you think?” I deadpanned. “I spent the past two nights naked in his bed.”
“Sex and love are two very different things, babe,” she replied. “Keep banging the god, but maybe the quality time can run slower.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, for instance, when he comes over to see Grant, then do what you’ve been doing, and make yourself scarce while they spend time together,” she suggested. “Don’t turn it into some kind of family picture quality time.” I could see where she was going with this. “Don’t meet his family or introduce him to yours for a few more weeks or a couple of months. That kind of thing.”
“So, keep it a secret?”
Rachel shook her head. “Not necessarily a secret, just don’t place so much importance on him so soon. If you have errands to run during the weekends, then run them. Don’t put them on hold to be with him. Actions speak louder than words, and if you’re rearranging your life to be with him, that’s telling, Andie. If you need to take it slow, explain that to him,” she advised again. “You said you guys talked a lot this weekend, so now that he knows a little more about what you and Steven went through, I’m betting he’ll understand wanting to take it slow versus getting offended.”
Everything she was saying was making sense, but I still somehow felt stupid for some reason. Like I was running headfirst into a brick wall because I didn’t have the sense to open my eyes.
“Oh, not trying to change the subject because, believe me, I definitely need more advice, but Justin is introducing a couple of new items to the menu, and he asked me to stop by on Wednesday and be a guinea pig. Wanna go with me?”
Her head reared back. “Are you kidding? Free food and booze? Hell yeah, I want to go with you.”
I took a drink of my watery tea and smiled. “Charlie won’t mind you getting tanked on a Wednesday afternoon?”
She pfft’ed. “Please,” she drawled out. “He’ll drop the kids off with his parents and take total advantage of me.”
I cocked my head. “You have to be drunk for him to take advantage of you?”
She grinned. “Not at all. But the freak flags start to fly in the bedroom when I’ve been drinking,” she joked, only I didn’t think she was entirely joking. She and Charlie were nauseatingly in love. I had no doubt they still got the handcuffs out all these years later.
And I wanted that.
I’d had it before Steven had lost his shit and it was something that I wanted again. Not with Steven, but with someone who would adore me just as much as I adored him.
“What are you going to do with Grant?” she asked.
“Steven’s parents were clamoring to spend some more time with him before school started,” I replied. “So, they’re taking him for a movie marathon at the cineplex.”
Rachel’s grin widened. “Well, since you’ll have to be sober when they take him back home, I’ll take one for the team and flavor the drinks while you flavor the food.”
I laughed. “You’re a true friend, Rachel Filmore,” I teased. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Right?” she said, taking credit for the compliment.
Before I could say anything, my phone chimed, and there was no way to ignore the butterflies that erupted in the pit of my stomach.
Nathan: Thinking of u
Me: Good thoughts I hope
I was so bad at this, I didn’t even know what to write back.
Nathan: Always
Me: (smiling emoji)
“Dude, you got it bad.” I looked up at Rachel. “It’s all over your face,