Heat in the Hamptons

Chapter 17

Addison woke up the next morning to find herself on the couch, a blanket draped over her, and a note on the coffee table.

Addison, I wasn't sure if you'd be okay with me carrying you to your bed last night, so I just passed out on the couch too. But I got an urgent call this morning and I have to go into the office. I'll be back late this evening. I made you some iced coffee because I know you like to write after you've had some caffeine, it's in the fridge. I hope your writers block has passed and that you're ready to write something romantic as fuck today. - N

Addison laughed when she read the last part. She wasn't sure why her heart seemed to flutter in her chest. Noah was so thoughtful. Not only had he offered to watch a RomCom last night, but he even made her iced coffee specifically so she could write.

Which, speaking of, she was most definitely ready to write. She could feel it as soon as she woke up.

A part of her was bummed that she wouldn't see Noah until late tonight. She pondered that feeling a moment, wondering where it came from. She shook it off and chalked it up to their growing friendship.

After having her cup of coffee she showered, threw on some sweatpants and a cropped t-shirt and grabbed her laptop.

She sat at the dining room table and started working on her novel. Addison smiled as her fingers flew across the keys. She couldn't believe how effortless her writing was today.

Over the years Addison had learned that some days her writing felt natural, like the perfect words came to her as she typed them. She took advantage of those days. Sometimes writing for hours at a time. She milked those days for all they were worth, because most days were not like that. Most days she fumbled for the right words, or struggled with developing her characters. Or, like the last few weeks, she just couldn't find the words at all.

Addison was in the middle of a steamy sex scene between two charcters in her novel, a scene she had been waiting to write for months until it felt absolutely right, when there was a knock on the patio door.

She jumped, startled.

Her head snapped up to the curtained patio door. No one had come to the door when she was alone in Noah's house, for that matter she hadn't actually been alone in Noah's house yet. What if it was James?

Addison stood up, careful to not make a sound. She tiptoed to the edge of the curtain, as far away from the door as she could. She wanted to see who it was with hopes that whoever it was wouldn't see her through the curtain.

It was one of the older neighbors, Mrs. Hawke. She lived a couple doors down on the beach and always walked her dog on it.

Addison smiled and moved to open the door.

Mrs. Hawke's eyes widened when Addison opened the door. Addison's smile faltered a moment as she knew how this must look, as if she and Noah were shacking up together and betraying James and Megan. Addison tried to not let that bother her, Mrs. Hawke didn't know the truth.

"Hi Mrs. Hawke!"

Mrs. Hawke's surprise disappeared, "Well hello there Ms. Addison, how have you been doing?"

Addison motioned for Mrs. Hawke to come in, shutting the door behind her.

They exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, Addison offering water or coffee but Mrs. Hawke kindly declined.

"I'm actually just making a quick pit stop here." Mrs. Hawke said as she pulled out her phone. "I was coming to tell Noah that my dog had puppies!" Addison ooh'ed and aw'ed as Mrs. Hawke showed her some pictures. "Noah always said how much he loved Ms. Rosie and so when she had puppies I thought I should ask if he'd want one."

Addison nodded her head, she loved puppies too.

"I just wanted to stop by to show him and see what he thought, would you be able to tell him I stopped by?"

"Of course, Mrs. Hawke. He just had to work in the city today but he'll be back this evening."

"Perfect! I hate to leave so quickly on you dear, I would really like to catch up with you, but I've got to get back to the puppies!"

They promised to get lunch together soon when Mr. Hawke was home to watch the puppies.

Addison smiled and Mrs. Hawke walked off towards her house. She closed the door softly behind her and sat back in front of her laptop.

As her hands hovered above the keyboard, her smile dropped. Just as quickly as inspiration strikes, it leaves. She sighed and picked up her phone.

"Holy shit." She said to herself, it was already dinnertime. Her brows pulled together, that means she had been writing for about seven hours without even realizing it. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

She saw a text from Noah from a few hours ago and smiled as she read it.

Remind me to say no the next time I'm called to come into the office in the summer. This is awful, but hopefully I'll be back before it's too late at night. Hope you're having a good day.