Page 41 of The Man Next Door
“Uh… so last night…” I say, desperately wanting to talk about it. What does this mean exactly? Was it just a one night stand for him? It wasn’t for me. I’ve already fallen.
His gaze pulls away from mine. “Uh… last night was crazy. I guess we both got carried away. We probably shouldn’t…” He rises from the bed, his bare ass on full display.
My heart is in my throat. I was right. He doesn’t want anything more. This was just sex for him. I should have known. I was so damn foolish.
I think I might be falling in love with you, he’d said. Bull fucking shit.
He pulls up his jeans and turns to me. “You’re amazing, Abby, but…”
But what? But you’re too old? But I’m not ready to settle down because I want to stick my dick in as many women as I can before I turn grey. Because I’m a fucking pig.
“I get it,” I say, feigning aloofness. “It was just a good time. It doesn’t need to mean anything more.” I’m still buried under the sheets because I have no clue where my panties are and there’s no way I’m letting him see me bottomless. The younger women he dates are probably all bare, and you’d have to pay me a lot of money to get a Brazilian.
He smiles. “I had a good time.”
Of course you did, you pig.
“I’m going back to sleep,” I tell him. “Let yourself out.” Honestly, I don’t want to see his face again. I’m so stupid. I actually thought I was falling for him. No, there’s still only one man I’ve ever truly loved. I reach for the silver heart pendant hanging from the chain on my neck. I like to hold it between my fingers when I’m sad. It brings me back to happier times. There’s one particular day I always go back to because it fills my heart with joy.
* * *
I would often siton Gavin’s sofa and flip through his comic books. A particular favorite wasCalvin & Hobbes. I was laughing at their shenanigans when Gavin handed me a cup of cocoa.
My heart swelled at the sight of it. “Mmm… looks good. You even put some mini marshmallows in it.”
“Of course. Anything for my favorite girl.”
My heart warmed at his words. I liked being his ‘favorite girl’. I tentatively enjoyed a sip of the hot cocoa; it was sweet and tasty and perfect for the cold winter day. A fire was blazing in the wood stove, warming all of us up. Magnum was sleeping at my feet.
The day was perfect. It didn’t matter that everyone had forgotten my birthday, save for Izzie. She’d brought me a basket of goodies; lip gloss, a CD, a book, junk food and cozy pajamas. When I’d asked her where she got the money, she said Adele paid for everything. I made a mental note to thank her later.
Gavin’s long legs stretched out on the coffee table as he took a seat next to me. He wore plaid pajama pants and a thick sweater. He looked as cozy as a teddy bear and I had the urge to cuddle up against him. I didn’t of course, because I knew that would be inappropriate, and I didn’t sit too close either because if I ever did, he’d instruct me to get my behind on the other edge of the couch.
“So anything special planned for today?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Nope. Why would I have something special planned?”
“Well, with it being your fifteenth birthday and all, I thought—”
I whipped around. “You remembered my birthday?”
His smile was coy.
“How did you know it was my birthday?” I asked, completely dumbfounded.
“You mentioned it before. February 21st was my mom’s birthday. It stuck with me, I guess.”
I nodded, smiling like a crazy person.
His gaze stuck to mine, and we were lost in each other for a beat.
“You’re sitting too close again,” he whispered.
I smiled. “I know.”
“Happy Birthday, Abigail,” he said softly.
I bit my lip. All I wanted right then was a kiss. I wanted him to lean in and kiss me. I knew he never would because he was a good man, and as much as I wanted him, I would have never put him in that position.
