Page 38 of Daddy to Go

Abby

“So, what did you do while you were frolicking at the beach?” Mary asked, sucking the jelly from her donut from her fingers.

My appetite still wasn’t what it should have been, or what it had been in the past. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was this distraction called Dr. Rivington. My mind, my heart, and even my stomach tingled every time I thought of him. Every time the phone buzzed or blinked, I lost my breath. I figured by now it would have ceased but the reaction was still there, making me weak at the most inopportune moments.

I knew Mary was curious, I just wasn’t sure exactly what to tell her.

“We went to dinner at this cute Italian place. We spent time on the beach and hung out. You know, the normal vacation stuff.”

Mary paused. “Normal vacation stuff? Really? He hardly seems like a normal vacation type of guy. But sure, I’ll go with it. So, you hung out on the beach. Youdolook pretty tan.”

I glanced at my skin, realizing I was tan for me. Instead of my usual pale cream color, I now had a slight tinge of gold. Hopefully my mom wouldn’t notice, seeing that I was supposed to be in a convention center the whole time.

“Yeah. I mean, we spent a lot of the time inside.”

Mary smirked and she shook her head as she pulled apart another donut.

“Yum, that’s more like it. I knew you would. It was a wild sex filled weekend, right? Come on, fess up. How many times?”

My cheeks blushed. “I don’t remember.”

She gasped, putting her hand to her chest like she was shocked.

“How scandalous could you be? So many times, you can’t even remember? I bet you learned a whole lot of things you didn’t know before. That’s good. If it doesn’t work out with Dr. Rivington, you’ll be a sex goddess from all the experience. The men will line up for a chance with you.”

I popped a piece of my chocolate pastry in my mouth. “I don’t really think that’s the way it works, but sure. I’ll be much more informed then I was last time.”

Mary put her donut down and looked me up and down. “Why do you not seem enthusiastic enough about this? You act like it was a ho-hum kind of weekend for you, when I know it wasn’t.”

I shook my head with a sigh.

“No, it’s not that. The vacation was amazing, and probably the best weekend I’ve ever had. But it wasn’t just sex on the beach. There was more to it than that. There were conversations about who he is. Who I am. Hand holding, cuddling, and he kissed my nose like we were in a romance novel. This kind of thing doesn’t stay perfect forever. I’m not stupid.”

Mary wiped her mouth and leaned forward on her arms.

“Look, I know you aren’t, Abs. And I’m glad that you realize that life isn’t actually a fairy tale. But right now, it’s playing out like one, so stop worrying, and enjoy it. If it lasts forever you are the luckiest girl in the world, and if it doesn’t then you had one hell of a time while it did. Experiences, my dear. Collect all the experiences that life will give you, and even if you end up with a broken heart, you’ll be fine. You’ll be better for it in the long run.”

I didn’t want to think about a broken heart. I wanted to keep up the fantasy that Ryder would stay right here in Farmington, and never leave. I wanted it to be real. But in a way, Mary was right. I needed to make the best use of the time I had.

Still, I smiled a small, sad half-smile. Mary was my best friend and protector. She didn’t want to see me unhappy or hurt, but this one was out of her control. Hell, it was out of my control too. I was on a crazy, heart-spinning ride, and unfortunately, I couldn’t get off until it was over.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out, smiling at the screen. It was Ryder. It’s been a few of days since we got back and he’s been texting me non-stop. Unfortunately, my man was crazy-busy at work, so we hadn’t actually been able to see one another, but the texting was an okay substitute. Once we were together in person, we could discuss our future.

“That’s the face of a girl that just got a message from her lover boy,” Mary teased with a giggle. “What’s he saying? Dirty things? If it’s dirty I want to read them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Not dirty things. And even if it was, they are for my eyes only.”

Mary’s smile faded. “God, please don’t tell me he’s a dick pic kind of guy. Or worse! Like a foot fetish kind of guy. Is he sending you naked pictures of his BDSM little people collection? Tiny men in leather? All the hot ones always end up with the weirdest fetishes.”

I laughed loudly. “No! God, no. I don’t even know what I would say if he sent me something like that. I mean whatwouldone say to that?”

Mary shrugged. “Nice chaps? That latex looks good on you? How do you walk in those eight inch heels? Whatever strikes your fancy.”

“Does that leash and collar come in pink?” I added.

Mary giggled. “There’s my sarcastic bitch. Unless you were being serious. If you were, get out. Now.”

I chuckled. “No, Ryder and I have been talking about our days. He sends me funny pictures of himself from work. The normal stuff. Nothing too crazy. He wakes me up with a sweet message every morning, and we’re supposed to hang out this weekend but I don’t know when. I’m going to drop by his place after work Friday and surprise him. Hopefully he’ll have time to hang out and let me cook him dinner.”