“Anything,” he replied.
I picked up the remaining half of my beer and guzzled it down. He continued to stare at me with that intense look in his eye. I didn’t have any idea what he wanted me to say.
“I should get some sleep,” I said, excusing myself from the table. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Axel.”
I offered a hand, and he stood up to accept it, but instead of shaking it he kissed the back. I deigned to say that I felt more than a little flush at this behavior. Perhaps the alcohol was finally taking its due, or perhaps the travel was making me more lightheaded than I thought. Either way there was no way I was attracted to Axel—I thought.
I pulled myself away and sidled up behind my mom.
“I need to sleep,” I said.
She just nodded and pointed to the motel just up the road.
“I’d offer you your old room, but I’ve since turned it into my craft room. I hope you’re okay in the motel. Here’s the key.”
She shoved a small hunk of metal and plastic into my hand and then turned back to her company.
I grabbed my bag from the back of the truck before finding my way to the room I’d be staying in. The entire walk had my head going in circles. I knew that some of it was due to the large amount of alcohol, but I was also still reeling from the kiss I’d received.
There was nothing wrong with Axel. In fact, there was a lot that I found more than attractive. But I knew that by Sunday he would be my stepbrother, and that would be the end of it all. With that clearly being taken care of, my head cleared a bit.
4.
I didn’t remember falling asleep at all, but I must have done it quickly, as I wasn’t under any blankets and I was still wearing my clothes from the previous night.
My phone woke me up, flashing the big word “mom” across the front.
“Hello?” I said.
“Hey, sweetie. Hope you didn’t drink too much last night. The fitting is in two hours for your dress. I’ll be by to pick you up.”
Then the line went dead. At least she’d been brief. Still, I had a lot to get ready for and not a lot of time. First things first: A shower was in order.
The water worked wonders for waking me up, and I took my sweet time. My mind still lingered on Axel. His powerful build was a sight to behold. He made Mark look like a marshmallow in comparison.
I giggled when I thought about Mark as a marshmallow. Then the thought of Axel joining me in the shower popped into my head. I wondered what he would really feel like against my skin. Would he be gentle when he held me, or would he take the lead and show me what to do?
I tried to suppress the thought of it, but like any thought you tried to deny, it just came back stronger. I ran my hands along my soapy skin, lightly caressing the curves of my body.
I paused and smacked my cheeks a couple of times in an effort to stop myself before I went too far. This was wrong, and I knew better than to let myself get wrapped up in my own fantasies. I quickly finished my shower and toweled off.
A knock rang out in the small room, and with the towel still wrapped around me, I glanced out the window to see my mother waiting, so I let her in.
“I’ll just be a minute. I just need to get dressed,” I said.
She nodded and took a seat in the one available chair in the room.
“What do you think of Duke?” she asked.
I continued to towel off my hair, but the question had caught me by surprise.
“He is different, but he seems like a good guy. You seem happier when you’re with him. I’m glad there’s someone who can make you that happy, Mom.”
She smiled from ear to ear. I thought she’d been hoping to get my approval before Sunday, and hearing my positive praise must have set her mind at ease.
“I’ll go one further. What do you think of his son, Axel?” she asked.
I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn’t have the words. My head was still wrapped up in my thoughts from the shower, and I knew that if I spoke now the words wouldn’t be so honest.
“Give me a minute,” I said, buying some time to think of an adequate response.
“He runs the local auto shop. He’s quite good, I hear,” she said.
“Mom, whether he’s a good mechanic or not shouldn’t affect my opinion of him,” I said.
“I know, but he’s a pretty quiet guy. I think I saw him talk more to you last night than I’ve seen him talk to anyone.”
I set about putting on my underwear.
“He seems all right,” I said, just looking for something to say.
“All right?” she asked.
“What are you expecting me to say? He’s going to be my new stepbrother. Should I say that I think he’s attractive, or that I want him to fix my car?”
She laughed.
“I just wanted you to say that you think I’m making the right choice. Your approval means a lot to this old woman. And, while I’d still probably get married without it, you’re the only one I can count on right now. I love you, sweetie,” she said.