The Exception(47)

Chapter Twenty-Nine


Jillian



I couldn’t believe he climbed into the bathtub in his clothes. My arms were wrapped tightly around his neck as my head lay on his shoulder.

“Everything is happening so fast and before you know it, she’ll be gone. To be honest, I don’t know how I’m ever going to get over that.”

“You’ll never get over it. But as each day passes, you’ll heal and you’ll accept it and you’ll move on with your life holding on to the memories that the two of you shared.”

Lifting my head from his shoulder, I stared into his eyes.

“It sounds like you’ve lost someone before.”

“I have. My best friend, Scott, was killed in a car accident when he was sixteen years old. It really hit me hard because we were like brothers. He was an only child like me. We went to school together and had planned to go to MIT together. We hung out every day working on projects, playing basketball, working out, and just talking about life and our future. We had this plan to backpack through Europe the summer we graduated high school.”

“I’m sorry.” I hugged him tight. “He’d be so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished at such a young age.”

“I know. You’ll survive, Jillian. I know it’s unfair that this shit is happening to Kristen at such a young age, but you’ll be okay, and after you’ve grieved, you’ll be able to smile at the things that remind you of her.”

“I’m worried about Noah. He loves her so much and I don’t know how he’s going to get through it.”

“You’ll help each other get through it and I’ll be here to pick you up when you fall and I’ll be here when you smile again.”

I pressed my lips into the side of his neck. I had never felt so supported as I did at that moment.

“We should get out of the tub now.”

“Good idea.” He smiled as he kissed my lips.

Drew climbed out first, grabbed a towel, held it open for me, and wrapped it around my body when I got out of the tub.

“You better get out of those wet clothes. Did you bring extra, by any chance?” I smirked as I unbuttoned his shirt.

“I may have.”

“Did you bring food?”

“No. We’ll order in. We can do that now that you have plates and silverware.”

“Good. I don’t feel like going out.”

“I don’t either.”

“So a casual night in it is.” I smiled as I walked out of the bathroom.

After changing into my cotton cami and matching short pajamas, I walked to the kitchen and took in the scent of the beautiful lilies Drew gave me.

“These smell so pretty.” I smiled as he walked in wearing a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. He was just as sexy and hot dressed down as he was in his suits.

“I’m happy you like them. Now, what’s for dinner?” He placed his hands firmly on my hips from behind.

“Whatever you’re in the mood for. I really don’t care. I like just about anything.”

“How about Mediterranean?”

“Mhmm. Sounds good to me.”

Drew pulled up the menu on his phone for a Mediterranean place a couple of blocks away. I took a sip of my wine as I stood and stared at him while he placed our order. I didn’t want to admit to myself that I enjoyed this. Him. His company. Us, in our pajamas, ordering in food was something that relaxed me. He relaxed me, and being with him made me feel things I’d never felt before. I couldn’t explain it. I was myself and I didn’t need to hide behind the mask that had become attached to me for a better part of my life. I didn’t need to pretend to be happy. I could be sad and he’d be there to hold me and tell me that it was okay. I couldn’t do that with my parents. The moment a tear fell from my cheek, my mother would place her finger under my chin and tell me that Bell women didn’t cry and that it was a sign of weakness. If I cried in front of Grant, all I would get was, “Why are you being so hormonal?” So I learned not to cry. But the day I left my family was the day the tears started to come back without shame.

“Are you okay?” Drew asked as he placed his phone on the counter.

“Yeah.” I smiled.

“How about we watch a movie while we eat,” I spoke, placing my hand on his chest.

“Okay. What do you want to watch?”

“I don’t know. Let’s see what’s on.”

I took hold of his hand and led him over to the couch. Picking up the remote, I turned on the TV and searched under the movie section.

“We can do sappy, thriller, comedy. It’s your choice.” I smiled.

“Nope. I picked what we’re having for dinner. So it’s only right you pick what we watch.”

“Oh look. Magic Mike is available.” I grinned as I looked to see his reaction.

“Magic Mike, eh? Never saw it. So if that’s what you want to watch, then turn it on.”

Narrowing my eye at him, I spoke, “Really? Are you sure?”

“I told you that it was your pick.”

Just as I clicked “watch,” there was a knock at the door.

“Saved by the knock.” Drew winked and I playfully smacked his ass as he walked away.