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Walker
I’d had a pretty lousy night’s sleep, so I was in no mood to be awaked with a phone call, and sure as hell not one from Mother You need at least one cup of black coffee before you deal with Mother Sometimes with a shot of whiskey in it
The previous evening with Andrea had set , I had been so wound up I couldn’t sleep Stupidly, I had called Celia to talk about it We’d been friends since ere little kids, and even though we’d had a few patches of ured we’d always be there for one another Like the siblings neither of us had Even if it was sos in a dirty book
She’d been a co catty with her friends before, but because I didn’t know the people she was talking about, I’d never given it any thought But to have her venom turned on Andrea had really pissed ant bitch” passed e, but I stand by the truthfulness of the sentiment
I’ve been running a major corporation for five years, seven if you count the years I shared the hel, but not stupid I’ve traveled the world, seen a few things, known all sorts of people And yeah, I’ve slept hat is probably et technical about it But I knohen an attraction isn’t just, as dear Celia so eloquently put it, “jungle fever” Yes, she did, hence “arrogant bitch” Doesn’t seem so extreme now, does it?
So yeah, rough night And I had to wake to o to voiceht and tried to get a few more minutes of sleep
I gave up when it beca the previous night–the pudding, especially delicious when sucked froer, the taste of her soft mouth, the beautiful swell of her breasts in that lacy bra…and then the conversation with Celia caet up and go for a run
I listened to the voicemail as I drank my coffee “Walker, you better come by here, I have some information you need to hear”
Nice and cryptic Thanks,the C&O canal to Rock Creek Park and wind up at Mother’s before co back to my own house
Nor off in hopes of waking up with Andrea in my bed No dice, however I vow, once more, to make it my life’s mission to stauy on the first date You should, I swear We think girls that put out are aweso If the goal was to drive ain? Mission Accomplished
It was shaping up to be one of those September days in DC that make you wonder if Fall will ever coust and today the air was still I thought of Andrea sitting on a breezy beach in Aruba, high of 80 degrees, trade winds…If I hadn’t had a week full of s to try to launch this new line, I’d have hopped on the plane that afternoon I i to be
Once in the shade of the jogging trail, the heat was less oppressive I’ve never liked going to a gyy I own on Water street, far more space than one person actually needs, but hey, “need” isn’t everything, right? But even after putting the machines in front of the tall s that look out over the city, I seldo That’s where I can do , it helps still my mind
Usually But I was pretty sure no a to clear Andrea fro with the head of our print advertising account…and just kept thinking about where I could take Andrea for dinner that would i to i I had scheduled to discuss changes to the company fleet…and instead wondered what kind of car Andrea drove I thought she belonged in a BMW, luxurious but dependable Sexy without being too flashy I picked up ined hoould be to make Andrea breathe as hard as I was, pictured her beneathme focus on the business
It was driving me crazy that I had to wait a whole week to see her or even talk to her How could she go out of phone contact for that long? But really, I was a little jealous of her freedom to disconnect like that
I’ible Bachelor, according to Washingtonian ) But the truth is, I’ out how toit into the 21st Century Sure, I take time off, I travel But I’m never fully on vacation, I’ed up Rock Creek Park, for the first time I considered that maybe that wasn’t healthy
Until he started training me to take over his job, I hardly spent any time withfor attention and time I want them to know me and know I’m there for them
What the actual hell? Kids? Where did THAT cooldfish since I was an adult
That wo a number on me, for sure
When I got to Mother’s house in the East Village of Georgetown, I was drenched in sweat But hey, suet I know froo for this look Probably not rateful
I went in the back door that’s unlocked when someone is there and the cold air of the a/c washed overto the tee
Rosa had heard the alarm beep when I came in and she soon met me in the mud room
“Ah good, Mr Walker! Yourme her usual friendly smile “Fresh shirts on the shelf” She pointed to the shelf over the dryer where she kept a stack of t shirts for me to put on when I arrived shirtless and sweaty It’s nice to have so out for you
“Thanks, Rosa,” I said, kissing her cheek and then slipping on the shirt before I headed up to Mother’s room
She was propped up in bed playing soame on her iPad when I came into the room When she looked up, she fixed me with that Mother Stare she has
“What? What did I do? What’s so important that you wanted et or how uilty kid with no more than a cocked eyebrow It’s a fact
“Tell ht?”
"What? No! What are you even talking about?"
She continued to bore intoto hide Finally she relaxed her face and cocked her head at me
“You’re lucky Rosa likes you so much”
“I agree But I still don’t knohat’s going on”
“She told ht Fro you teren’t just chatting over wine and plotting how to get reens”
“And?” I kept
out How do mothers do it?
“Well, she likes Andrea–as do I–so she was happy for her and for you So when she heard Celia this h to come to me to tell the story”
“You’re being vague Heard Celia what?”
"She was shouting into her damned phone, the way she does, so that everyone on the Eastern seaboard can hear how godda about you"
I felt my blood run cold Just like in the books I sed “And?”
“She was telling the person on the other line about what a wild night she’d had with you Rosa said ‘insatiable Like he just got out of prison’”
“Did she sayabout ht with some K street lawyer What do I care?”
“I asked the sa, I’m not an idiot Rosa said she kneas you” She paused and gave me an unreadable look "And she said Celia told her friend that she was here to convincefor her"
I shook my head What the hell?
“Andto marry you”
“Well, she isn’t I don’t knohat she was trying to pull, but it isn’t true I’ve not laid a hand on her inCelia to ”
“I don’t think you’re getting the i into the phone while inmy breakfast”