Perfect Regret (Bad Rep #2)(64)
Author: A. Meredith Walters

I squeezed her hand. “You give me way too much credit, Gracie and you don’t give yourself enough.”

She squeezed back and that piece that had been broken started to slowly mend.

24

I was a nervous wreck. It was downright comical.

I was pacing back and forth in my room. I had changed my clothes three times before settling on a very un-Riley like black skirt and deep blue shirt. I had pulled my long, brown hair back into a low ponytail and even put on some makeup.

Because Garrett was coming over.

You heard that right. I had pulled out the thermoneculuer girl crazies over Garrett I Can Barely Get Myself Dressed Bellows.

As I was leaving Gracie’s house, my phone had started to ring. I glanced at the number that I had never bothered to program into my phone and recognized it instantly. I would never forget those digits even if I had at one time desperately wanted to.

“You answered,” Garrett said by way of greeting.

I laughed. “Well, I figured since I had nothing better to do.”

Garrett laughed as well. “At least your honest,” he said.

“It’s a character flaw. Sorry,” I teased, enjoying the easy banter that we had always been able to enjoy together.

“Definitely not a character flaw, Riley,” he said gently and I was once again taken aback by this soft and tender side of Garrett. I knew it was a side very few got to see. And I was thankful to be one of those individuals.

“So can I come over later?” he asked.

“To my apartment?” I asked, wishing like hell I would stop asking such moronic questions with such obvious answers.

Garrett made a snorting nose and I couldn’t stop grinning. “Well that is where you’re living these days, right?”

“Your wit is astounding, Garrett,” I replied. “You don’t want to go out? Get something to eat?” I suggested, hoping he took me up on the offer. For some reason the thought of sitting around my apartment with him made my nerves kick into overdrive.

I had been naked with this guy on two occasions. He had kissed and touched every single inch of me, but the thought of sitting beside him on my couch making small talk had me quivering like a preacher’s daughter in the backseat of her boyfriend’s car.

“I’d really like to spend time with you…alone. If that’s okay, I mean,” he sounded unsure and I knew my hesitance was the reason.

“No, that’ fine. I’d love for you to come over,” I said hurriedly, not wanting him to ever think I didn’t want to spend time with him. If I needed to spend the rest of my life reassuring him, then so be it.

“Great. I’ll bring food. Anything you’re in the mood for?” he asked, sounding more relaxed now that I’ve agreed to his plans.

“I’d kill for some Chinese. Sweet and sour chicken to be precise. Think you can arrange that?” I inquired coyly.

“Me hunter. Go kill food and bring it to woman,” he joked and I laughed. Who knew Garrett had such a sense of humor?

And that’s how I found myself three hours later, a bundle of jangled nerves and sweaty palms.

“When did Banana Republic Barbie move in?” Maysie asked coming to a stop as she walked passed my open bedroom door.

I held up my hand, stopping her. “Don’t. Just don’t. I feel like I’m going to vomit as it is. I don’t need your well intentioned jokes about my clothes.” Glancing at my reflection in the mirror I did look a little green.

“Woah, Riley. You’re uncharacteristic freak out is freaking me out,” Maysie said, looking unsure as to whether she should venture into my bedroom.

I watched with dread as understanding dawned on her face. “Garrett’s coming over,” she stated. When I didn’t answer she clapped her hands together like a seal and made a loud whooping noise.

“Ugh. Okay. You guessed it. Garrett’s coming over and my panties are officially in a bunch,” I told her with a healthy dose of scathing sarcasm.

“Come on, Riley. This is Garrett we’re talking about here. You’ll be lucky if he remembered to wear matching socks. No sense in getting so worked up about it,” she placated. But I wasn’t feeling the calm down vibes.

I couldn’t explain why I was so nervous. Maysie was right. Garrett was the most laid back person I knew. But this was different. This was the beginning of something new. Garrett and I were finally walking together into that place we had been dancing around since that night all those months ago when I had woken up naked and mortified in his bed.

Maysie’s face softened and she came in and gave me a hug. “I’ve never seen you like this, Riley. It’s so damn cute,” she couldn’t help but add. I gave her a punch on the arm, and none too lightly. She winced around a smile.

The doorbell rang and she looked at me, a mischievous twinkle in her eye and took off running for the front of the apartment. I took off after her.

“I will kick your ass, Maysie Ardin! Don’t think I won’t!” I threatened, practically tackling her as she reached the door.

“I just want to let him in. Give him the safe sex talk, oh wait. Too late for that one,” she joked, clearly pleased with herself.

I groaned and reached around her to open the door and wished I could run for the hills. Because Garrett was on the doorstep, with Jordan. Both of them were carrying bags of food and Jordan held a couple of movies. Obviously our “alone time” was turning into a double date.

But Garrett…he looked amazing. I did a double take when I finally took him in. His hair was pushing back off his face and his eyes were bright and lucid. He wore a faded but comfortable pair of jeans and button up tan and green plaid shirt, tucked in I might add, and rolled up to his elbows. He had traded in his customary Vans for a brown pair of Dr. Martins.

I couldn’t stop the grin that spread across my face and I forgot all about sharing our night with Maysie and Jordan. All I cared about was this guy standing in my doorway with a shy smile on his uncertain face.

His eyes raked me from toe to head and he clearly liked what he saw. “You look beautiful, Ri,” he said with such intensity that it made me blush.

“You clean up pretty well yourself,” I told him, wishing he’d reach out and touch me already.

“You both look downright f**kable. Now, move Riley, this bag is heavy,” Jordan complained, pushing passed me so he could suck on his girlfriend’s face before heading to the kitchen.

I looked over my shoulder at Maysie who gave me an apologetic smile. “I didn’t know you wanted the apartment. I invited Jordan for dinner and a movie. He’s staying over. Is that okay? Because if it’s a problem, we can go out.” She sounded so worried that I couldn’t tell her what I was really thinking. Which was, hell yeah, get out!