Page 38 of Something More

“Let me talk to Grandma. This will be our secret for now,” I warned.

“Ok,” He shrugged as he turned to go back to the water. “You aren’t gonna do gross stuff like kiss each other now, are you?” When he turned around to look at us, Hank had already planted one on me, and Jack made a gagging noise. When we broke apart, we both burst into laughter.

Chapter 19

Dakota

Ever wake up and wonder if you’d been dreaming everything that’d been happening to you? I felt like the past several months have all been a dream, and I’m waiting for someone to tell me that I made it all up.

The snoring figure beside me is the only thing grounding me at the moment as my mind wanders into the past and dares to think about the future. I've been lying here watching him sleep and playing the moments of yesterday through my mind. How did I get lucky enough to have him still be here and still love me after all this time?

“Mmm, what are you overthinking now,” he mumbled as he rolled onto this side and a strong arm wrapped around my middle and pulled me flush against him. The heat from his skin was burning through the soft cotton of my tee.

“Just thinking,” I whispered as doubt began to creep in and take root in the corners of my mind again.

“’Bout what?” He pressed a kiss to the back of my neck.

“Life, us, the future.” I sighed as his embrace tightened.

“Sounds like good stuff. Why so tense?” The hairs on my neck tickled from his breath.

“It’s nothing.” I brushed him off as we settled into silence together. I needed to stop worrying and thinking I didn’t deserve this. I was in a good place, and I needed to let myself enjoy it and stop worrying.

“Hey, Mom?” Jack knocked on the door. “Can I make pancakes?”

“I’ll be right there,” I called. “I gotta supervise this so he doesn’t burn the place down.” I moved out of his embrace and sat on the edge of the bed. When I looked back at him, his hair was mussed from sleep, and his blue eyes sparkled as he staredat me. The sheets had slipped down to his waist exposing his tanned chest, and all I wanted to do was get lost in him. “Don’t look at me like that,” I teased.

“Like what?” His brows bounced as he pushed the sheets lower, almost exposing himself.

“You know what I mean.” I blushed as I swatted at him. “Put a shirt on.”

“Just a shirt?” He snickered.

“Put clothes on,” I stammered. He still flustered me after all this time. “We have a wedding to plan.” I pulled on a pair of shorts and forced myself out of the bedroom.

*****

“I got all the stuff out.” Jack was standing in front of the cabinet where we kept the pots and pans. “I can’t find the griddle pan.” He frowned as he pulled out yet another roll-out shelf. “Did we forget to bring it?”

“Here.” I opened another drawer where I kept the pans we didn’t use as much and found it. “I moved some stuff in here to make room.”

“Sweet.” He bounced as he set it on the stove. “I turned it on medium.” He moved over to the bowl on the counter. “I can do this part on my own.” I watched as he read directions and poured mix into a bowl. He added milk and eggs, and then stirred it. Once the batter was mixed, he moved over to check if the pan was hot enough. “Can I do it myself? I promise I’ll be careful.”

“Go ahead. If you need help, just ask.” I went to make coffee, and let Jack do his thing. He spent the next half hour pouring batter on the griddle and flipping the pancakes all by himself.

“Breakfast is ready!” he announced as he set a plate full of flapjacks on the island. I grabbed some plates and glasses fromthe cabinet and the orange juice from the fridge. Jack set out syrup and butter and then helped himself.

“Nice job, buddy.” Hank appeared, wearing only a pair of sweatpants. He rounded the island, fixing himself a plate and pretending that he wasn’t trying to get me all hot and bothered. “When’s the bus coming?” He glanced at the clock on the wall.

“I got time.” Jack shrugged as he shoveled a bite in his mouth.

“Not too much.” I laughed. He had about fifteen minutes until the bus would be here, and then he’d be running down to the road.

“It’s fine.” He rolled his eye as he tipped his head back to pour the last little bit of juice into his mouth. “Since I cooked, you get dish duty,” he teased as he wiped his mouth and put his plate in the sink.

“That’s fair.” I nodded as he rushed around to gather his things. He disappeared down the hall for a moment to brush his teeth, and then after a quick hug, was out the door.

“How does he go from zero to sixty so fast?” Hank chuckled as he lazily ate his pancake.

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