The Virgin Duet(12)

Then I notice the towel I left on the floor is gone. I rush to the closet, I slide the door open, and all his suits are back in order. A smile spreads across my face. Not because he put everything back the way it was, but because this means he came home. I wonder if he slept with me too. The idea of him sliding into bed with me sends a thrill through me. I was sure I was going to be woken up and told to move my ass to another room.

I search the rest of the penthouse for him with no luck, until I spot a note on the kitchen counter. Next to the note is some cash, a credit card, and a cell phone. Swiping my finger across the phone, I see the backdrop is a picture of a fairy. Odd. Pulling up the contacts, I see there are two numbers saved. Bray Cell & Bray Office.

I snatch up the note and see his perfect handwriting.

Be home around 7. I left some cash for you to pay for the motel, and a credit card for anything else you might need.

I’m disappointed at its simplicity. No ‘call me’ or a word about last night. His not acknowledging it bugs me.

I pick up the cash and count it out. Jesus, he left me a thousand dollars. Picking the phone back up, I hold my finger over Bray’s cell number. I want to call him, but I don’t want to seem needy or desperate or something. I hate how this is making me feel. Why am I like this with him? Shit. It’s nine thirty already. I’m going to be late to meet Sam.

Quickly grabbing my work pants and sneakers, I slide them on, and tuck one of Vanilla’s dress shirts into the pants. It’s all I’ve got, and will have to do until I make it back to the motel to grab my stuff.

It only takes me thirty minutes to make it across town using a cab with the cash Bray left me. I have the cabbie drop me off down the street from the motel so I can grab some donuts at the coffee shop nearby. When I finally make it to our room, I’m disappointed Sam isn’t here. Shit. I hope he got my message.

Dropping the donuts down on the bed, I pull out my new phone and call him, but it goes straight to voicemail. Double shit.

Heading to the bathroom, I start packing up my stuff. I guess I’ll just leave him a note. Then it dawns on me that I can text him.

Me: It’s Becs. Got a new phone.

Sam: Sorry I missed your call last night. Tried to call back but number came up unavailable.

Me: You coming home soon? Lots to talk about.

Sam: I’m busy. I got a job.

Me: Job?

Sam: Don’t worry about it.

Lovely—the kind of job he won’t talk about.

Me: Call me tonight?

Sam: Ya, going to Palm tonight. You should just come by. I’ll be there at 9. Miss your face.

Me: I’m working tonight.

Sam: I’ll call you or see you tonight. g2g.

Rolling my eyes, I slide the phone back into my pocket. He doesn’t need to go to the Palm. I think Nico’s family owns the place or something. He lets some of us sneak in the back because we aren’t old enough to get in. I stopped going because Nico would just stare at me. I used to have a blast there dancing all night, but it got weird after a while.

Grabbing the rest of my stuff, I phone for a cab before making my way to the front desk and paying for the next two weeks’ rent. I need to know that no matter what, Sam has a place to crash.





The rest of the day flies by. I loaded Bray’s fridge up with all kinds of different foods. I may have gone a little overboard at the store but I was just so excited about trying out some of the recipes I marked down last night. I found enough recipes to make dinner for the next five days.

Tonight I decided on crusted chicken with bacon and green bean casserole, and homemade mac and cheese. Then bread pudding for dessert. It’s a meal of comfort food and I know that’s something I could use right now. Setting the table, I bring all the food out at ten till seven, knowing he’ll be home any time like his note said. Vanilla doesn’t seem like someone who would be late for anything.

I went through and cleaned the penthouse the best I could, but there really wasn’t much to do. Besides the mess I made last night—that he already cleaned up—all I could really do was dust. I had extra time, so I unpacked all my stuff, though to be fair I don’t have much. I can’t wait to see his face when he sees I unpacked it in his room, closet, and bathroom. I even put my giant glittery Tinkerbell alarm clock on the side of the bed I slept on last night. He didn’t really give me any details as to what I should be doing. I know he said ‘dinners’, but if he wants me here full time, there has to be more he needs me to do.

When the clock hits ten after seven I decide to call him. I try his cell first, but after one ring it goes to voicemail. What is with everyone ignoring me when I call? Jesus. Next I try his office line. Maybe he got stuck working late.