Page 67 of Keeping You

On Monday, Grayson heads to the shop with Randy, and Chloe heads to work at her summer job at a local café. She’s working there to make some extra money before school starts again in September. That leaves Melanie and me at the house. I read for the first part of the day and then help her make Grayson’s favourite meal. She wants him to get it before we leave tomorrow.

At the dinner table, I feel a shift in the air. Melanie, Randy, and Chloe aren’t ready for Grayson to leave again, and I don’t think he’s quite ready either. If I’m being honest, I’m not ready to leave. I’ve enjoyed being out of the city and away from my mother. I miss the girls, though. I’m looking forward to a girls’ night when I get back.

When we finish eating, Chloe and Grayson head to the back deck. I stay behind, giving them some space as they haven’t had a lot of one-on-one time this trip. Randy retreats to his usual spot in his recliner, and Melanie and I stay at the table.

“Thank you,” she says, her voice soft.

My brow furrows. “For?”

She looks to the sliding door before back at me. She reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Grayson has been through more than I had ever hoped he would have to. It’s nice seeing him more open and happy now. Coming home can be difficult for him, but this trip he’s been”—she lets out a breath—“different. He’s lighter and happier. He’s stayed longer than he has in the past. He usually comes for a couple of days and leaves as soon as he can. I can’t help but think that you’re a major reason for that change. So, thank you.”

I squeeze her hand back. “I haven’t done anything.”

“You really don’t realize just how much your presence impacts him, do you?” She watches me and must read my answer. Her free hand comes and pats the top of mine. “You two are good together. I’m happy he found a woman as amazing as you.”

I’m holding back tears now. Her positive words are more than my own mother has ever said to me. I inhale deeply through my nose and out through my mouth, gathering myself.

The sliding door opens, and Chloe comes sauntering in and starts grabbing things from the cabinets. “It’s getting dark. Gray’s gonna make a fire and we’re gonna have one last night of s’mores,” she says.

I smile as much as I can. “Sounds great, I’ll be out shortly.”

“Mom?” she asks.

“None for me tonight. You kids have fun.”

Chloe heads back outside, and Melanie leaves the table, giving my shoulder a squeeze before she leaves. I head upstairs and grab the first sweatshirt I see. I’m in the kitchen when I realize it’s Grayson’s. I put it on before stepping outside and joining them. There are only two chairs when I get there, and they’re sitting in them, Micky lying between them as he stares atthe graham crackers and chocolate resting on the arms of one of the chairs. I look down at Grayson, and he smiles as he wraps a hand around my wrist and pulls me into him. I land on his lap. The chair shakes a bit from the movement, and I hold on to him tightly.

His lips find my ear, and he whispers, “I like seeing you in my clothes.” His words send a wave of shivers through me.

He wraps his arm around my waist and gets his marshmallow ready on his stick and starts roasting it.

“You excited to get home?” Chloe asks.

“Yeah. I miss my girls, but I’m gonna miss being away from the noise of the city.”

“Well, you’ll have to come back when you need an escape. We’d love for you guys to visit more.”

Grayson stiffens under me. His chest has stopped moving, like he’s holding his breath.

“I’ll definitely keep it in mind,” I say, not wanting to give her too much hope. I still have no idea where Grayson and I stand, especially after we leave here and are thrust back into our everyday lives.

Grayson pulls the marshmallow out of the fire and, before he can even react, I pull it off between two graham crackers, shove a piece of chocolate inside, and take a bite. He stares at me open-mouthed as Chloe laughs.

“You little thief,” he says, his eyes tracking the movement of my tongue as I lick of the stray pieces of s’more on my lips.

I lean forward, holding the s’more in front of him. “What’s yours is mine. Right, husband?” I whisper.

He leans forward and finishes the s’more in a single bite. I go to lick the marshmallow of my fingers, but he grabs my wrist, stopping me. I watch his throat as he swallows before opening his mouth and slowly sucking the marshmallow off my fingers. His tongue works around them, ensuring he gets every lastpiece. I squirm in his lap. He’s turning me on beyond belief. His eyes are fire as he stares at me.

When he releases my fingers, he puts another marshmallow on his stick and starts the process again.

Chloe finishes her s’more and pushes up from her chair. “I’m going to head to bed. Early morning tomorrow.”

She gives us each a hug and says good night and goodbye, because we likely won’t see her tomorrow. She calls for Micky, and he reluctantly follows her inside. When the sliding glass door closes, I move to push off Grayson’s lap to move to the other chair, but his grip around my waist tightens.

“Where are you going?” he asks, his voice low.

“The other chair.”

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