Come Together (4 page)

“Pressure?”

“Well, yeah, that’s a lot of pressure. Ending my marriage for him? I don’t want David to feel like he owes me anything.”

She sipped her coffee. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” I asked, looking over at her.

“Don’t prep yourself for disaster before things even get started.”

“I’m not,” I said defensively. “I’m just trying to be realistic. David and I have time now. I don’t want to push him.” I paused, chewing on my lip. “I mean, I don’t even know if he’s ever lived with anyone.” I realized then that I was essentially leaving my life behind for a man I didn’t know much about.

Gretchen twisted her lips as she thought. “I don’t know. Dude seems pretty intent on taking things to the next level with you.”

I laughed. “Yeah, but, don’t forget, he’s a bachelor who’s spent his life doing what he wants . . . and who he wants. This may take some getting used to for him. Like I said, we’ve got something we didn’t have before: time. Time to get to know each other.”

“True. All right, girl,” she said, breaking off toward her train. “See you tonight?” I started to answer but she stopped, turned and came back to me. “I’m serious, Liv. Don’t start this relationship with one foot out the door. Believe him when he tells you what he wants.”

I promised her I would and then waved good-bye to my best friend.

~

Gretchen and I had the apartment to ourselves again on Friday night, though this time it was because Ava and Bethany were out partying. I marveled at their active social life. Since I’d arrived the night before, I hadn’t even seen either of them, but I was glad for it. I wasn’t exactly eager to explain why I was staying at their place. I knew Gretchen was sitting the night out to be with me, and it made me all the more grateful for her.

David had kept in constant contact all day, but I hadn’t heard from him since right before I’d left work. In fact, he’d never answered my last text, but I shrugged it off. I focused on the fact that we’d be meeting in the morning, and I’d be going home with him for an entire weekend. Just me and him, alone. For the weekend. As much as the idea elated me, it also scared me. What if we weren’t as compatible as we’d thought? What if a whole weekend with me was too much for him?

I spent the rest of the night ignoring that thought as Gretchen and I mindlessly watched reality TV.

~

I hadn’t slept well. My nerves were frayed with anticipation, excitement and unfortunately, guilt. Spending a weekend with another man felt wrong, but spending it wrapped up in David felt all kinds of right. Only when I realized David still hadn’t responded to my last text did some anxiety creep into my thoughts.

Gretchen invited herself to breakfast, I figured because she had a habit of being nosy, so we walked arm in arm to the café.

“I started researching apartments yesterday,” I told her once we were seated. “Not looking forward to doing the roommate thing again.”

She shrugged. “It’s not that bad.”

“It is once you’ve gotten used to life without them.”

“Well, maybe you should just ask David if he needs a roommate?” she suggested with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes.

“I really envy what you’re doing, you know,” she said.

“Why?”

“To know so strongly based on a feeling alone that you want to be with him. That’s amazing.”

I let her words sink in as the waiter poured three glasses of water. “I think I knew it the moment I saw him,” I said thoughtfully. “I just couldn’t see through everything else.”

“So that would make it love at first sight.”

“No, no,” I said, waving her off. “I don’t believe in that.” Despite my brushoff, I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“I do. And I know Lucy does. Once she sees you two together, she’ll understand.”

“Gretch,
you
haven’t even seen us together.”

“I may have spied on you guys a little when he came to my apartment.”

“Gretchen!” I admonished with a laugh.

“We should have a party for you two.”

“Nah. I don’t need to be rubbing Bill’s face in anything.”

“Speaking of, have you heard from Bill?”

I furrowed my brows. “Not a peep. Maybe you could find out how Andrew’s visit went.”

She nodded. “I’ll call later. Anyway, I personally think a party is a great idea. I can’t help but feel a little excited that my best friend is head over heels in love.”

“I’m head over heels in something. I mean, what happens to all my stuff? Our joint bank account? I have some savings, but it’s pitiful compared to the joint. I mean, what happens to all that?”

Gretchen looked sympathetic. “Divorce. That’s what happens.”

“It’s going to be hell,” I said, raking my fingers through my hair and resting my head in my hands. “Our parents’ divorces took years.”

“It’ll be worth it when it’s over.”

“I don’t even have a lawyer. Bill
is
a lawyer, so of course I’ve never needed one before. I guess I should ask . . .” I groaned. “So not looking forward to telling my dad about this.”

She grimaced. “Will he be mad?”

“How can he be? He gets divorced all the time.”

She giggled. “Well, maybe he’ll know a good lawyer.”

We both looked up when David walked in. Something always shifted when he entered a room. I didn’t call him over as he scanned the restaurant but took the opportunity to appreciate my new . . .
what, boyfriend?
. . . from afar. I couldn’t decide who was sexier: businessman David in his tailored suits or this weekend David I watched now in his jeans and aviators.

“What did I say about your phone?” He was angry, and he was stalking in our direction. I admired the sexy way he moved, surprisingly graceful for someone as tall and sturdily built as him.

His hand found the back of my chair and the other planted on the table, boxing me in. He was focused on me like he was waiting for a response, but I’d been too busy appreciating him to hear the question.

“What?” I breathed.

“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you since yesterday. You haven’t returned any of my texts or e-mails, and my phone calls won’t go through. Hell, I almost drove over last night just to make sure you hadn’t skipped town on me.”

By this time, I was pulling out my phone and examining it. “I don’t have any missed calls,” I said, showing him the screen.

He took the phone from me. After a moment of furrowing his brow with concentration, something I knew I would never grow tired of watching, he cursed under his breath.

“What?” I asked.

“It’s disconnected.”

“Oh. Bill must’ve canceled my plan.”

“Sounds like something he’d do,” Gretchen put in.

I sighed and took the phone back. I added a new phone plan to my growing list of expenses. I looked at David and pouted. “Sorry. I didn’t even think to check my e-mail last night.”

He closed the space between us to kiss me. “Hi, beautiful.”

I smiled. “Hi.”

He inhaled and gave me a harder kiss before pulling back to sit at the table. When he did, my eyes darted around the restaurant nervously. It was definitely weird, kissing in public.

“Just watching TV, hanging out,” Gretchen was saying to David. “We haven’t been feeling very motivated.”

“Understandable,” he said and swung his head to me. He reached over to grasp my thigh. “How are you, baby?”

“All right,” I responded, squirming slightly under the endearment.

He squeezed my leg. “One step at a time,” he said so only I could hear. “Together.”

I nodded and covered his hand with mine.

“Is that your stuff?” he asked, motioning to the duffle bag that currently held my life.

“Yep.”

“Everything?”

I nodded. “For now.”

“Work clothes?”

“Some of it. I’ll manage.” He glanced down at the tiny bag skeptically and then back at me. “Well, I might have to get more things from the apartment,” I conceded. “Bill didn’t take my key, so I can go next week while he’s at work.”

“No need. We’ll go shopping.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine,” I said. It was beginning to hit me that between a lawyer, rent, a new life and limited funds, things were going to become very tight for me.

“I’ll take you.” He glanced at Gretchen, who made no secret that she was listening to every word. “We’ll sit down and talk logistics later, but let me get you some things for work.”

“Logistics?” I asked.

“Yeah, money, apartment stuff, all that shit. We’ll figure it out, but for now, I want to take my girl shopping.”

“I couldn’t possibly – ”

“I’ll go,” Gretchen volunteered, and I gave her a look.

“Olivia, don’t argue with me,” David said, ignoring her. “Let me do this for you.”

Gretchen kicked me under the table, and I yelped. She raised her eyebrows at me and nodded.

“You’re a little persistent, aren’t you?” I asked him as he laughed silently.

“You have no idea. You and I are going to be an interesting couple.”

A couple. With David Dylan.His . . . girlfriend
. I shook my head in disbelief.

“What?” he asked.

“This is just all so weird. I have a new life.”

He frowned. “I know. I worry about you. Just remember that I’m here for whatever you need.”

“So, you’re like her boyfriend, right?” Gretchen chimed in.

“I don’t know if that’s quite the right word,” he replied.

I snapped my head up.
What?

“Roommate?” Gretchen suggested.

I jumped at David’s burst of laughter.

“Gretchen,” I squealed, staring daggers at her.

He rubbed his hand along my thigh. “If we need something to call me, then boyfriend works for now.”

Gretchen hummed thoughtfully, alerting us that there was something on her mind.

“Yes?” I asked her.

“It’s Saturday . . . Isn’t tonight the Revelin grand opening?”

David’s eyes cut to her as my mouth fell open. “It is?” I exclaimed.

He shifted in his seat. “I’m not going.”

“What? That’s a huge deal, David. You designed that hotel. Oh my God, you have to go,” I insisted.

“It’s not important,” he said, tearing his glare from Gretchen to look at me. “I’m taking care of you right now.”

“No.” I shook my head with determination. “Absolutely not. If you don’t want me to come, I understand, but you are definitely going. How can you say it’s not important? It
is
important, you’ve dedicated – ”

“Calm down,” he interrupted, smiling. “I don’t even want to go. We already did that bullshit soft opening. Although, can’t say I regret that night one bit,” he added. I blushed, remembering the oh-so-wrong, but oh-so-right night of life-altering sex in his hotel room . . . and then in his hotel room’s
pool
. “Really, I don’t care about it,” David continued. “The hotel’s been open a couple weeks, and everything looks good.”

My jaw clenched. “You’re going,” I declared. “This is a really big deal, and you have to be there, with or without me. I’m a big girl, I can take care of – ”

He cut me off with his palms in the air. “All right. I’ll go. But I’m sure as hell not going without you. That is, if you’re up for it.”

“I’m up for it,” I stated firmly.

“Then unless you have a gown rolled up in that bag, we definitely need to go shopping.”

My shoulders relaxed somewhat, and Gretchen bounced in her chair. “Fine,” I relented, and he gave me his amazing, boyish grin that I just about lived for.

“Since my firm handles Revelin’s PR, I’ll be there too,” Gretchen said. “I’m bringing Greg.”

I looked back at her. “What?” I exclaimed. “I thought you guys had broken things off because you went home with another guy. Are things back on?”

“Yes,” she said with a shy smile. “He didn’t care about the other guy since nothing happened. It took a while, but he finally convinced me that this time is for good.”

“For good?” I asked, my eyes big.

“Yup. I’m tired of playing it safe. It really hurt when he left me the first time back in college, but I think I’m ready to move on from it. He says he’s changed, and I could either go on not believing him or take a chance. We decided a couple weeks ago to give it a real try.”

I took her hand and smiled. “I’m so happy for you. I’m sorry I wasn’t around to talk to.”

“You were around,” she said, “you just weren’t reachable.”

“You can thank David for that,” I said, nodding at him.

“We weren’t even speaking a couple weeks ago.”

“Exactly.”

He smiled and squeezed my leg again under the table, only higher this time. It sent a thrill up the inside of my thigh. Dazedly, I bit my lip, but he raised his eyebrows at me, jerking his head toward Gretchen.

“Oh, right,” I said. “So we’ll make a night of it then, the four of us.”

“Should I see if Andrew wants to come?” David asked. “I can put them on the list.”

I shifted in my seat, and Gretchen looked down into her coffee cup.

“What?”

“Lucy isn’t . . . ” I trailed off.

He lifted his chin. “Not too thrilled with us, I take it.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Gretchen muttered.

He touched my cheek. “I’m sorry. You need her right now.”

I shrugged helplessly. “She doesn’t agree with what we’re doing.”

He dropped his hand and drummed his fingers on the table. “I’ll talk to Andrew,” he decided. He nodded at the bill. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, but there’s something I need to do, and I’d really like to have Gretchen here with me.”

“What is it, honey?” Gretchen asked.

“Tell my dad.”

She scooted closer with her chair and rubbed my back before looking at David. “Dad’s a little tough,” Gretchen told him. “He doesn’t suffer quitters well. Er, not that you’re a quitter, but you know what I mean.”

“I know. It’s okay. Can I borrow your cell?”

Gretchen took out her phone and after a minute of playing with it, handed it to me. “It’s ringing.”

“You have my dad’s number?”

“Of course, in case of emergency.”

“Hello?” Dad said, loud and robust even through the phone.

“Dad?”

“Hello?” he repeated, even louder.