What Her Dad Doesn't Know(20)
“I was just looking,” I protest quickly.
“You’re living with me now,” Andrew says, pointing out the gorgeous chaise lounge I’d sneakily peeked at earlier. “And I want the apartment to show that. Besides, half the stuff in there was picked out by the interior designer. I just said okay to everything because I didn’t have the time to shop myself.”
“Are you sure?” I ask uncertainly. While Andrew and I have been going out for a while now, we haven’t really brought up what we wanted long term. I was happy to just enjoy what we had while we had it. After all, there was still the hurdle of my dad. But buying furniture together... that had to mean he was serious, right? These pieces were beautiful antiques, and expensive too.
“I’m positive. I don’t see myself without you Noelle. What’s mine is yours.” And then he kisses me again. I could get used to this PDA thing. I’m proud to be his, and it is so freeing not to have to hide what we’re feeling.
The afternoon turns into a bit of a spending spree. There’s little art galleries all along Royal Street, and we purchase a painting to hang in the entryway, and another above the fireplace. The dining room table, a boring steel and glass affair, gets replaced by a living edge table that can seat at least twelve. And then there’s my study. I’ve been working mostly on the couch, spreading out my books and papers everywhere within reach. Andrew decides he’ll clear out one of the extra guest bedrooms so that I can have a dedicated place to work, and I go about filling it with bookshelves, a gorgeous rolltop desk, and a cozy armchair to read in. A chandelier, knickknacks, frames, and books... it all gets swiped to Andrew’s card.
He’s making room for me to become a permanent part of his life. That thought buoys me up and keeps me floating happily through the rest of the day. There’s a delicious dinner at Antoine’s, where I’m introduced to Oysters Rockefeller and Eggs Sardou. Then Andrew arranged for a carriage ride through the French Quarter, and a night of jazz music. And of course, there were the delicious beignets of Cafe Du Monde. By the time we head back to the hotel at two in the morning, I’m exhausted but content.
“Was it everything you wanted it to be?” Andrew asks me, holding me close to him in the elevator.
“It was perfect,” I say.
I rest my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. I just wish that we could be like this everyday, I add silently. But how could we? My father stands in the way, and I’m not sure I can make him choose.
Chapter 7
I wake up the next morning with a smile on my face. I can’t believe that I’m here. This place is amazing! It seems that Andrew’s still asleep too, and I wonder if maybe I’d worn him out a little too much last night with our marathon sex. Even I was feeling a little bit sore. But when I turn over, the bed is empty. I sit up and survey the opulent room. Where is he?
Sliding out of bed, I grab a silk robe that Andrew’s bought me especially for the trip. It matches the delicate lace babydoll I wore to bed. I wrap the soft fabric around me and tie the knot, then check the bathroom. No Andrew. I turn around and head out of the suite. There was an empty cup of coffee beside Andrew’s iPad, so he must have gotten up earlier than I did, but where could he be?
I find my purse and pull out my phone. No messages. I decide to call him and see what’s going on. It isn’t like him to just disappear. Andrew picks up on the second ring.
“Hello? Where are you?”
I can hear the sound of traffic in the background.
“I had to go out and pick up something. I’m heading back to the hotel now. Have you already had breakfast?”
“No, not yet. I woke up and you weren’t here and I got worried.”
“I’m sorry, I should have left a note. I didn’t think I’d take as long as I did. Why don’t you order room service for us? I’ll be back in fifteen minutes.”
I could hear a car door close in the background.
“Sure.”
He told me he wanted the eggs benedict and we said goodbye. I am a little curious about what exactly he’d gone out to get, but I decide not too think too much about it. After all, he is going to be back soon. I’m sure he’ll tell me all about it. I pick up the hotel phone instead and place his order and mine. I’ve wanted to try the pain perdu, a New Orleans take on French toast. Big, thick slices of bread with strawberry rhubarb sauce and cinnamon. Delicious. While I wait, I decide to take a shower. I bet Andrew’s arranged another day of sightseeing for us.
The breakfast arrives just as I get out of the shower. Everything smells delicious, and I’m wondering whether I should wait or start when Andrew hurries in through the door. He leans down and gives me a long, slow kiss.