Page 75 of Drive Me Wild
“Loving you is easy, baby.” I chuckle into his chest. “The hard part would be trying to stop.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
THEO
My bedroom is painfully quiet,and it’s not the peaceful kind of quiet where you can easily fall back asleep. It’s the loud silence that leaves you alone with all your thoughts. The kind that gets you so worked up that you overthink and reevaluate.
When counting sheep for the thirtieth time fails to lull me into a peaceful slumber, I quietly slip out of bed and head downstairs. What a fucking shitshow the past twenty-four hours have been.
Filling a kettle with water, I place it on the stove to warm up. Maybe a cuppa will calm my intrusive thoughts. My contract is all that’s been on my mind as I tossed and turned. Well, that and making a complete arse of myself to my family. There’s no doubt I’ll have to go on an apology tour after the race, starting with my mum and ending with Richard. Thank goodness I keep my own flat here in Melbourne, because spending the night at my childhood home after that fight would’ve been… uncomfortable, to say the least.
“Care for some company?”
Josie stands at the entryway to the kitchen wearing one of my McAllister shirts, the letters on the front so faded they’re barelyvisible. My racing heart immediately slows down. “What’re you doing up, princess?”
She walks over to me, kissing my shoulder before settling onto the stool to my right. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I admit. “Sorry if I woke you.”
“Six-hundred count thread bed sheets aren’t nearly as comfortable when you don’t have anyone to cuddle with.”
“Poke fun all you want, but you know my sheets are superior.”
She laughs while picking up her phone, reading the messages that are lighting up her screen. I nearly ask who she could possibly be texting at this hour before remembering the different time zones.
Suddenly, she starts saying “oh my God” repeatedly while she taps away, her nails creating aclackity-clacknoise. I wiggle in my seat, wanting to be let in on what’s going on. My FOMO gets worse when it involves Josie.
I rest my head on her shoulder, reading her messages with Kelsey.Hmph.
Kelsey Wells
Are you around next Saturday for a tasting? Would love to get your millennial feedback on some dishes.
P.S. Jamie is consulting on the menu.
Jamie Wolff, in case that wasn’t clear.
Josie Bancroft
OMG. How did you get him!? Did you have to sell him your kidney?
Kelsey Wells
Have to get his name tatted on my forehead, but it’ll be worth it. I showed him the cocktail menu, and he has some great ideas for pairings.
Josie Bancroft
LOL. Yay! Can’t wait. I’ll come hungry.
“Who’s Jamie Wolff?” I ask with a furrowed brow.
“He was the runner-up on season seven ofMasterChef!” Josie squeals. “His whole thing is elevated street food. On one of the episodes, he made this burger with a coffee rub and caramelized onion that was positivelyto-die for. It sounds odd, but the flavors worked and the judges nearly pissed themselves at how good it was.”
My smile grows as she gives me an in-depth explanation of the dish. I love how she talks about the burger, as if she had actually tried it. Hell, I feel like I’ve tried it thanks to her descriptions.
“Look at you, getting all chummy with your fellow foodies.” I chuckle. “It’s too bad the tasting’s not during the week, though.”
Josie tilts her head, her blonde waves moving to the left as she does. “Why?”
