pinstripes.
My face hurts from the ear-to-ear grin I’m sporting.
I knock hard on the door, waiting for her to open it.
“Who is it?” she asks on her side.
I move out of her line of vision in case she peeps through the peephole. “It’s me.”
The fumbling of locks hastily being opened causes me to laugh. I can just imagine her on the other side clumsily trying to open the door.
“Damn it,” she cusses. “Fuck. Don’t move. Fuck.”
When I can’t hold my laughter, she curses me. “It’s not funny.” Finally, the click of the deadbolt resounds through the wood frame. She yanks the door open, practically hitting herself in the face as she does. Her eyes bulge when she sees me standing in the hall wearing a Yankees hat.
“I knew it! I knew it!” She catapults into my arms. “Quint! I’m so happy for you!”
Her legs form a vise around my waist. Her arms have a firm hold around my neck. I can’t get a word in edgewise between all her squeals and giggles. Laughing while carrying her into our room, I use my foot to kick the door shut behind us. She plants kiss after kiss all over my face. The last one lands on my lips. The touch of her lips against mine uncorks all my euphoria. If my father’s hug was a representation of all the emotions he was feeling, then this one kiss would be mine. When we finally stop for air, she gives me a heart-stopping smile. “Baby, every moment I sat in that room, I couldn’t believe what was happening. Even as I signed that contract, I had to pinch myself to be sure it wasn’t a dream.”
She unlatches her limbs from around my body and immediately pulls me to the couch. “I want to know every detail!”
Chapter Ten
Annie
He sits beside me grinning from ear to ear. “That hat looks so good on you,” I say, distracted by the gorgeous sight of him. “I can’t wait to see you in full uniform.”
“I’ll be getting it tomorrow. I’m number 77.” He beams from excitement.
“Really? You must have been so happy.”
“Baby, I’m beyond happy. I have everything I want, including you.”
He proceeds to tell me all about the meeting, touching on every detail that went on inside that conference room. His salary, his option for increase, it’s all too much to grasp. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I can only imagine what he’s feeling. They handed him a pot of gold. How do you even begin to understand it all?
I guess if anyone can, it’s Quint. Mentally, he’s imagined this day his entire life. Physically, he’s pushed his limits. The combination probably forced his destiny.
He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Tomorrow is the press conference. It’s about to get crazy. Are you ready for it?” Obvious concern is etched all over his face.
“Of course. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“Baby, I was prepped today for what to expect.” He takes my hand between both of his, rubbing them soothingly over my skin before continuing. “They used the analogy that tomorrow a tornado will suddenly appear in my life, and instead of running away, I’ll be stepping into the storm. The only difference between a real tornado and what I’m about to experience is a real one ends within minutes. This one will go on and on.” He watches my face, focusing on my eyes. “Through it all, my only concern is that you’re okay. None of this will be worth it to me if you aren’t happy.”
“Q, you don’t have to worry about me. I can handle all the craziness. I’ve had some experience with it so far,” I tease, referring to his many, many pushy groupies.
He scoffs, “That’s not the same.”
“I know those skanks were nothing compared to what you will be facing,” I tease even more.
“Annie.”
I slide my hand from his to cradle his face. “Q, I believe in us. You and I are solid. Tornados can easily destroy a weak foundation that wasn’t built to withstand it. I dare anyone to try to take us down.” I
My face hurts from the ear-to-ear grin I’m sporting.
I knock hard on the door, waiting for her to open it.
“Who is it?” she asks on her side.
I move out of her line of vision in case she peeps through the peephole. “It’s me.”
The fumbling of locks hastily being opened causes me to laugh. I can just imagine her on the other side clumsily trying to open the door.
“Damn it,” she cusses. “Fuck. Don’t move. Fuck.”
When I can’t hold my laughter, she curses me. “It’s not funny.” Finally, the click of the deadbolt resounds through the wood frame. She yanks the door open, practically hitting herself in the face as she does. Her eyes bulge when she sees me standing in the hall wearing a Yankees hat.
“I knew it! I knew it!” She catapults into my arms. “Quint! I’m so happy for you!”
Her legs form a vise around my waist. Her arms have a firm hold around my neck. I can’t get a word in edgewise between all her squeals and giggles. Laughing while carrying her into our room, I use my foot to kick the door shut behind us. She plants kiss after kiss all over my face. The last one lands on my lips. The touch of her lips against mine uncorks all my euphoria. If my father’s hug was a representation of all the emotions he was feeling, then this one kiss would be mine. When we finally stop for air, she gives me a heart-stopping smile. “Baby, every moment I sat in that room, I couldn’t believe what was happening. Even as I signed that contract, I had to pinch myself to be sure it wasn’t a dream.”
She unlatches her limbs from around my body and immediately pulls me to the couch. “I want to know every detail!”
Chapter Ten
Annie
He sits beside me grinning from ear to ear. “That hat looks so good on you,” I say, distracted by the gorgeous sight of him. “I can’t wait to see you in full uniform.”
“I’ll be getting it tomorrow. I’m number 77.” He beams from excitement.
“Really? You must have been so happy.”
“Baby, I’m beyond happy. I have everything I want, including you.”
He proceeds to tell me all about the meeting, touching on every detail that went on inside that conference room. His salary, his option for increase, it’s all too much to grasp. I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. I can only imagine what he’s feeling. They handed him a pot of gold. How do you even begin to understand it all?
I guess if anyone can, it’s Quint. Mentally, he’s imagined this day his entire life. Physically, he’s pushed his limits. The combination probably forced his destiny.
He reaches over and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Tomorrow is the press conference. It’s about to get crazy. Are you ready for it?” Obvious concern is etched all over his face.
“Of course. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
“Baby, I was prepped today for what to expect.” He takes my hand between both of his, rubbing them soothingly over my skin before continuing. “They used the analogy that tomorrow a tornado will suddenly appear in my life, and instead of running away, I’ll be stepping into the storm. The only difference between a real tornado and what I’m about to experience is a real one ends within minutes. This one will go on and on.” He watches my face, focusing on my eyes. “Through it all, my only concern is that you’re okay. None of this will be worth it to me if you aren’t happy.”
“Q, you don’t have to worry about me. I can handle all the craziness. I’ve had some experience with it so far,” I tease, referring to his many, many pushy groupies.
He scoffs, “That’s not the same.”
“I know those skanks were nothing compared to what you will be facing,” I tease even more.
“Annie.”
I slide my hand from his to cradle his face. “Q, I believe in us. You and I are solid. Tornados can easily destroy a weak foundation that wasn’t built to withstand it. I dare anyone to try to take us down.” I
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