I leave Barrett standing in the kitchen, amused with my awkward departure, I’m sure.
Lucy helps me draw a bath and keep Baxter relaxed while I suds him up. Once he’s clean, I dry him with a towel, but he manages to escape and shake, sending water all over us.
We return to our bedroom, Baxter clean and dry, while I am now muddy and smell like wet dog from wrangling him in the tub.
Barrett’s not there.
The shower is empty. I knocked at least fifty times before I opened the door. So, after settling Baxter onto his dog bed, I gather some pajamas and take a shower myself.
We’ve been in the Hamptons one day, yet it feels like so much has happened. My body is exhausted, and my head has a slight ache from all the wine I consumed earlier. The buzz I had at the winery is long gone, chased out by the adrenaline and panic I felt when Baxter was missing. I long for the loose-tongued Chloe that told Barrett about her sexual inexperience. Now, I’m just a ball of nerves wondering if Barrett will deliver on his promise to right that huge injustice.
When I exit the bathroom, the bedside lamps are on and I find a shirtless Barrett on his laptop, the computer screen casting a glow on his chiseled torso and arms. In the middle of the bed, curled up next to him, is Baxter. Apparently, the no dogs on beds rule has been broken, at least for tonight.
Barrett looks up from his laptop.
“Hey.” I wave.
“Hi,” he says, his eyes lingering at the chest of my t-shirt a moment longer before they drop back to his computer.
On the bedside table I find a glass of water and two ibuprofen.
My eyes dart to Barrett. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” he replies, eyes focused on his computer. The energy between us at the winery is a distant memory.
I take the pills and climb into bed. Baxter shifts, pressing his head under my hand.
“Is the light bothering you?” Barrett asks. “I can go downstairs.”
“No, it’s fine,” I say, enjoying his presence. The tapping of his fingers against the keys.
While part of me is confused that Barrett is showing no interest in me or any of the things he said earlier, the other part of me is relieved.
Even though I’m attracted to him, more so after this weekend, getting involved with Barrett would only complicate things.
I’m supposed to be focused on my career. Proving to JoAnna that I can handle my current duties while covering for Lacey. And the Books 4 Kids event is this coming Friday. I need everything this week to go well and the event to go off without a hitch.
Beneath the glow of Barrett’s laptop, with Baxter’s wet nose nuzzled into my hand, I fall asleep.
CHAPTER 19
Barrett
We’re back in the city by three.
After breakfast, Lucy insisted on making Baxter gourmet dog food to take with us. She felt horrible about his disappearance yesterday and wanted to do something to spoil him. I think it was a bit much, but I didn’t want to refuse her generous offer. She’d likely be relaying to Fred how the weekend went and I wanted to leave the best impression with her.
While we waited, Chloe lounged by the pool reading her book and I worked on my laptop, my eyes frequently wandering from the screen to Chloe in her pink bikini.
At home, we went our separate ways, but a few minutes ago, Chloe entered my study with Baxter on her heels.
“Are you okay if I read in here?” she asks.
“Sure.” I motion to the sitting area.
Chloe sits down on the sofa, and settles in. She’s quiet for a moment, and I think she’s going to read but then she calls out to me.
“Frankie texted me.”
“Really?” Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. I know Frankie likes Chloe but it never occurred to me that they would spend time together outside of our couples’ activities.
“She reports that her lips are less swollen and she should be sucking Fred’s dick by tomorrow at the latest.”
I clear my throat. I don’t want to imagine any intimate acts between Frankie and Fred but the words ‘sucking’ and ‘dick’ out of Chloe’s mouth have sent all my blood rushing south.
“That was word for word,” she says.
“Glad to hear she’s feeling better,” I say.
“And she invited me to get my nails done. She wants me to try out her press-on nail line.”
“What did you tell her?” I ask.
“I said yes. I thought it would be helpful for you with Fred. You know, a little good will between the girlfriends.”
I nod. “Thank you.”
She turns back to the manuscript she’s reading. “Especially since this weekend was a bust.”