The Heir of His Ways

Chapter 9 - Girl’s Night

Josie’s POV

I have been floating on cloud nine ever since Lucas took me on our date on Sunday. It was absolutely perfect. The restaurant was a small family owned restaurant with good authentic Thai food. I love that he had a plan B just in case I wasn’t into Thai food, it was very thoughtful.

Everything felt so natural between us, there was only one awkward moment when we first arrived at the restaurant, but everything else just flowed. I loved how deep our conversation was, nothing superficial about it. I found out everything I could about Lucas from his favorite color, hobbies, most cherished childhood moment, even his most embarrassing moment. That one had me laughing so hard I almost fell off the chair.

It felt so natural being tucked under his arm when we went on the boat and watched the sunset. It almost like we had been doing this for years. Then when he dropped me off and kissed me, now I may not have much experience, but it took my breath away and left me weak in the knees.

Now every chance he gets at the diner he touches me, nothing much just a graze of our hands when I bring him his food, or a light touch of my back when he passes me to leave. He definitely leaves me longing for more.

It has been nice that I get to see him every morning so I don’t have to wait a whole week until our next date on Sunday. We have also gotten to know each other better with each of Lucas’s daily diner visits.

He is just as handsome and charming as ever, but our conversations have more depth now. I feel like I am getting to know the man behind the flirting. And don’t even get me started on the flirting, the s*xual tension between us is running high. The promise of more to come with our next date, has me wanting to do a little dance when ever I see him.

I am the one planning our date for Sunday. I was able to get us tickets to the Boston Red Sox game. Lucas mentioned how his grandfather used to take him when he was a kid. I saw how his face went soft from the memories, so I thought this would be perfect.

Elaine helped me with the tickets because her family has season tickets that weren’t being used. I am glad I have been sharing all the details of our date because the ball game should be a perfect date and it was Elaine that suggested it. Elaine just told her dad that she was going to the game with a friend, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. I have never been to a ballgame so this will be all new to me. I told Lucas to dress casual and wear red. That got me a quizzical look that looked adorable on his handsome face. If we weren’t at the diner I would have kissed that cute expression right off his face.

I also received my acceptance letter from Harvard and was awarded a full scholarship all

my books will be paid for and room and board included, if I chose that option. I don’t think I can leave my mom, but free meals would be a bonus. I don’t even have to wait until next fall to start as I have been accepted for the next semester in January. Eeek, I am so excited.

It seems like everything in my life is finally starting to come together and my luck is changing. Unfortunately, this thought also gives me a sense of dread. I cannot help but wonder when I am going to be hit with something bad that makes all the new good things vanish right before my eyes.

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“Oh my God Maeve, that is so exciting. When is Conner taking you to Rome?” I practically yell at Maeve.

“Next month, we will be there for a whole two weeks!!!” she squeals. Going to Rome has been her dream vacation for as long as I can remember. I have a feeling that Conner will be popping the big question while they are there. They have been dating since high school and have only gotten closer as time has went on. I don’t think I have ever heard her talk about fighting or anything with Conner, they seem made for each other. I give her a look to see if she is thinking a proposal may be in the works.

“What is that look for Josie?” She asks not getting what I am thinking.

“Oh, I don’t know. Just your boyfriend since forever is taking you to your dream location, I’m wondering if he has any other exciting things planned,” I state.

She smiles excitedly, “of course he does silly, he has some excursions planned and tours.” She is so happy and at the same time so dense. She sees my look of disbelief that she isn’t getting my hint. “I don’t get it, why are you looking at me like that?”

“Just that you two aren’t getting any younger and I’m wondering if Conner wants to take the relationship to the next level?” I suggest.

“OMG Josie, you know we started sleeping together senior year!” She says exasperated.

I laugh hard, like bent over holding my stomach hard and can barely get the words out between laughs, “I…..meant….he may….propose” I manage to get out.

She goes pale and her face is in utter shock, as I watch her I can see what I said sink in more and more. Then she all of the sudden starts jumping up and down and she pulls me up to jump with her, “do you really think? Oh my God, that would be the best and so romantic!!!!”

“I don’t know for sure, but knowing Conner he isn’t just taking you to Rome,” I reply hoping I am right and didn’t just set my friend up to be disappointed. No, I have to be right, this is Conner.

There is a knock on the door and Maeve says, “come in.” I am so happy to see Elaine there. The three of us meet up and have a sleepover at Maeve’s house once a month.

When I first introduced Maeve and Elaine they hit it off and since then we are the three amigos. Maeve’s house has worked as a great place to hang out since both Elaine’s parents and my mom still don’t know we kept in touch.

I honestly don’t know why I keep it hidden, at first I didn’t want to hurt my mom’s feeling or make it harder for her. Now with all this time I feel like I will hurt her because I lied. I know for Elaine, she wasn’t sure if her parents would let her since they were trying to make a name for themselves. She didn’t think they would want to be associated with the disowned daughter of William Maxwell, being new money they couldn’t survive that kind of reputation.

“What do you think Elaine? Conner is taking me to Rome for two weeks and Josie thinks he is going to propose?” She asks with hope in her eyes.

“It sounds like Conner but just focus on having fun and living in the moment. If you are waiting for that you will miss out on all the other fun stuff he has planned.” She gives me a look like ‘couldn’t keep your mouth shut’ and she is right. My excitement for my friend might have ruined her vacation. What a sh*tty friend I am.

Elaine changes the topic and I am grateful, “here are the tickets to the game tomorrow.” Then she opens her backpack and pulls out a Red Sox shirt my size and two baseball hats, “thought you might like these. My dad is always buying me them when he goes to a game and I never use them. I can see the tags still on them and chuckle.

“OMG, thank you so much!!! I think Lucas is going to love this and I never could have made it happen without your help Elaine.” I practically jump on her when I give her a hug.

The rest of the night, the three of us catch each other up on all that is going on in our lives. We watch movies, do our nails and have a great time. At about midnight just as we are deciding to go to sleep, Elaine gets a text surprising all of us. The bigger surprise follows when she shows me the message.

“Looks like you are going to be a big sister,” she says. I cannot believe my eyes when I see the picture of Wendi at some formal function clutching her heavily pregnant stomach. The message with the picture simply said ‘guess whose water broke at the party tonight’. Old feelings of hatred surface when I look at the picture of my father helping her with so much care in his eyes. I will make him pay, he cannot destroy my mom and still get his happily ever after. I simply won’t allow it.