Ten Days of Perfect (November Blue #1)

“Did Adrian do something to you?” His chilling look ceased my tears.

“N-no, not like that,” I managed to spit out, though my breathing was erratic from crying. Bo looked confused.

I told Bo about Adrian helping me up the stairs, rolling my eyes at the embarrassment all over again. I sheepishly admitted that I tried to kiss him in my drunken haze, but he rebuffed my offer and slept on top of the blankets with his clothes on. Finally, I took a deep breath before telling him about Adrian’s motivations for taking me home last night; that I understood only seconds before I kicked him out of my apartment. When I finished I just stared at Bo, awaiting his reaction. After a thoughtful pause, Bo’s forehead smoothed as he released a sly grin.

“Cunning son of a bitch, isn’t he?” He let out a muffled laugh.

“What?”

“Not only did he manipulate the situation in his favor so he could take you home last night, but he didn’t even try anything with you. Man, had you not figured out what his game was, he could have walked out of here looking like a knight.” Bo lifted his eyebrows in mock-awe.

“Bo, I was mortified when I woke up next to Adrian this morning. I was so angry at you last night for just letting me go with him, even though I knew you really had no choice. But when I put his whole puzzle together, I felt awful. I wanted to wake up next to you this morning.” I stared down at my hands, my eyes refilling with tears.

“Bo, I feel scuzzy and need to shower last night off of my body. Will you wait for me?”

“Of course.” His gaze reignited me and I wanted him right there. I pressed my lips hard into his mouth before heading to the shower.

The shower is undoubtedly the best place to think; the hot running water drowns out all the background noise from the brain. The haze of my hangover was beginning to wash away and I could finally assess my feelings in private. While my stroll down memory lane with Adrian was nice, it was also clouded by misinformation and underhanded motives. Adrian admitted that he panicked when Bo mentioned me; it sure seemed his motivations last night were guided by someone trekking on what he’d assumed was still his territory. Meanwhile, this beautiful man was waiting for me in my apartment and I wanted to be his, all his.

Suddenly, it didn’t feel like a choice between anything. No, it wasn’t a choice between the logical and the romantic, and it wasn’t a choice between my head and my heart. It was a choice for my spirit; for all the things that make me . . .me. I loved Bo Cavanaugh. I realized I needed to tell my boss about my relationship with Bo - before the Concord trip.

I was, therefore, choosing Bo. Choosing Bo and me. Choosing us. My soul smiled and hugged me. Thank you.

I turned off the shower, briskly dried my hair, and walked into my bedroom with a towel wrapped around me, startled to find Bo sitting on my bed still looking a bit conflicted.

“Better?” He asked.

“So much,” I replied. “You ok?” I sat next to him, towel still wrapped around me.

“I have a confession to make.” He grinded his palms on the tops of his thighs.

“OK?” My heart rate rose slightly as Adrian’s words of caution bubbled to the surface of my brain.

“Wait. Can I ask you something first?” I continued, not waiting for a reply, “What did you do last night after Adrian took me and Monica home?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I saw you walk back in to the bar. And, now, you’re wearing the same clothes,” I said, passively grabbing his shirtsleeve.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” His tone was level, if not slightly calculating.

A million possibilities flew through my mind. Actually, only one did; maybe he went home with someone else. If he did, would I be mad? Would I have a right to be mad? We’ve never seriously discussed a relationship between the two of us, as such. No, you’ve only talked about a thousand lifetimes and shocking me to life.

“Last night, after you left, I did go back into the bar; but that was only to prevent myself from chasing after you like a fool.” He smirked to himself.

“As soon as I saw Turner’s car pull away, I drove to your place. I was going to wait for him to leave and then come see if you were OK. You must have called me when you were at Monica’s place, because I was in front of your apartment and you weren’t there.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up his hand. “I waited in the lot across the street to make sure he brought you home, as he said he would. Yea, I felt a bit like a stalker, but he’s fast with women - that much I do know-and I was worried about you. When you got to your place and I saw you stumble again, I nearly jumped out of my car. But, I saw that he was being kind to you, and I just wanted him to get you inside and then leave. He didn’t leave. I waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . . .” Bo drew this out for affect, his voice constricting around the words. He looked up at me, apparently awaiting a reaction. It finally dawned on me.