“When is Jack expected back?” Stella asked.
“His flight gets in tonight and he’ll be back in the office tomorrow.” I sighed.
“That man sounds like a horrible person,” my mother spoke. “I don’t know how you can stand working for him.”
“I have no choice, Mom. He can be a handful, but he’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“I think Mr. Sutton has a crush on your daughter.” Stella smiled.
“Stop that! He does not.”
“Well, if he does, Lorelei isn’t that stupid to get involved with a man like that. Right, honey?”
“Yes, Mom.”
“But…maybe a little casual sex wouldn’t hurt.” She smirked.
“MOM! He’s my boss.”
She shrugged. “So what. Sex is sex. It doesn’t have to mean anything. I had plenty of sex with different guys after your father died.”
I covered my ears with my hands. “STOP IT!”
Stella fell back on the grass in hysterics.
“Relax, Lorelei. Did you really think I didn’t have sex until Nick?”
“She hasn’t,” Stella spoke as she sat up.
The look on my mom’s face displayed a great deal of shock as she looked at me.
“For real? You haven’t had sex since Brett?”
“I am not talking about this.”
“Sweetheart.” She reached over and grabbed my hand. “You’re too young to go without sex for that long. What is wrong with you?”
“What? How could you ask that? Nothing is wrong with me. I just haven’t had any interest in men since Brett died. Hope is my life and I’m not going to screw it up by going out and having meaningless sex with strange men.”
“You’re not screwed up, are you?” She winked.
Thank God that Nick, Sebastian, and Hope walked over because I couldn’t take any more of this conversation with my mother.
“Are you ready to go, baby? We need to get you in the bath.”
“Are you going to pick me up again tomorrow?” she asked as she put her arms around my neck.
“No, sweetie. Mr. Sutton will be back in the office tomorrow,” I spoke as I ran my hand down her hair.#p#分页标题#e#
“Hey, Hope, I have an idea,” Stella spoke as she took hold of her hand. “I happen to be off of work tomorrow, so how about if I pick you up from school and we can go shopping. I need some new makeup and I would like you to help me pick out some new colors.”
Hope’s eyes lit up and I gave Stella a small smile.
“I would love that. Is it okay with you, Grandma?” she asked.
“Of course it is, baby girl.”
“Thank you.” I mouthed to Stella.
****
After Hope’s bath, we sat down at the kitchen table and I began sketching a new dress while Hope did her homework. Suddenly, I heard my phone beep from my purse. It was my business phone and there was a text message from Jack.
“I’m back in New York. I hope you didn’t miss me too much. We have a lot to go over tomorrow, so be prepared for a very busy day.”
Great.
“Welcome back. I will see you in the morning.”
“Don’t forget my coffee.”
I rolled my eyes.
“I won’t. It’s become part of my morning routine.”
“Good. Try not to spill it this time.”
“I’ll do my best. Have a good evening, Jack.”
“You too, Lorelei.”
“Who were you texting Mommy?” Hope asked as she looked at me.
“My boss.”
“Oh. Addison’s mom and her boyfriend took Addison to the zoo yesterday. She told me on Friday how she couldn’t wait to go.”
“That was nice. We can go to the zoo if you want.”
She shrugged and went back to doing her homework. I could tell something was off with her and it bothered me.
I prepared myself the next morning to get ready to walk into the lion’s den. Walking into Jack’s office, I noticed he wasn’t in there, so I set his coffee on his desk, and as I was walking out, I ran into him in the doorway. I mean, literally ran into him. He lightly took hold of my arm.
“Good morning.” He smiled.
“Good morning. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I love it when beautiful women run into me.” He winked.
Shit. Vibrations down below were starting and my stomach began to flutter. He called me beautiful. The mere sight of him was intoxicating. I guess not seeing him for a week really heightened his sexy factor.
“How was Paris?” I asked.
“Paris was good, but it would have been even better if you were there,” he spoke as he took a seat behind his desk. “How is your mother?”