Page 64 of Forget About Me

He covers his crotch with his hands. “Except the best part.”

I cross my arms, tip my head, and look him up and down. “Hm. Not sure what the best part is.”

“Oh, really?” He narrows his eyes at me, then after looking around the room briefly, he zips to the TV, turns it off and turns on his stereo. Trailing a finger down a short stack of cassettes, he grabs one, shove it in and fast-forwards until he finds what he’s looking for. Finger on the play button, he turns back to waggle his eyebrows at me. “Perhaps you need a tour to decide.”

“By all means.” Hopping onto the couch, I spread my arms and put my feet up on the coffee table. “Come on, baby. Work it.”

He pushes play and the iconic piano chords of “Old Time Rock and Roll” start up. Ben goes totalRisky Business, doing a pretty impressive Tom Cruise, hip thrusts and all.

In fact, he finishes by flopping across my lap and wiggling there. By that time, I’m laughing so hard I fall off the couch.

The man is a clown wrapped in the body of a prince.

I may not know what it’s like to be his girlfriend, but I think I want to find out.

BEN

Puck’s sharp bark jerks me out of a sound sleep seconds before a shave-and-a-haircut knock sounds on my front door. Stifling a groan, I roll out of bed and throw on some pants. I do love that my dad is taking Puck on walks regularly now. The exercise and Mrs. Rosen’s company are good for the old man’s heart. But it’s not even seven a.m. On Sunday morning.

A squeaky whimper sounds from under the wild nest of Lucy's hair. I kiss her shoulder before whispering, “It’s my dad.”

I can’t help but laugh at the panicked look in her eyes. “Don’t worry, he won’t come in. He’s here to take Puck for a walk.” Just to be safe, I cover her with the duvet. “I’ll be right back.”

A hand darts out to grab my wrist. “With coffee?”

I kiss her hand before tucking it back under the covers. “With coffee.”

Puck’s whine keeps me moving toward the front door. After peeking through the window first—just to make sure it is indeed my dad—I open the door.

“Hey, Dad.” He holds out his hand, and I hand over the leash.

He salutes me. “I’ll be back in an hour or so. Vera’s making breakfast after our walk.”

Dog and man practically skip down the steps. My dad actually seems happy.

Stretching my arms over my head, taking in a big breath of the crisp morning air, I realizeI’mhappy in a way I’ve never been before. Everything I need and want is right here, behind me in my bed and in front of me trotting down the driveway.

It seems like Lucy’s pretty happy, too. Wanting to keep her that way, I head back inside to make coffee.

I want to plan our first real date.

Having planted the idea that she could join me out west, I’m now determined to convince her that we can be good together outside of this apartment as well as in my bed, where things couldn’t be better.

As I wait for the coffee to brew, ideas for where to take her are joined by nagging thoughts. Friday night, I agreed that there’d be no more secrets. She meant keepingusa secret, but before we go too far down the path of a real relationship, I should tell her everything about the accident.

On the other hand, ruining this time together would be a waste… at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself all weekend.

I will tell her. I just have to find the right time.

The coffeemaker beeps. I add cream and sugar to hers before carrying two full mugs back to the bedroom, where I find her curled up, sound asleep.

Setting the coffee down as quietly as I can, I snuggle in next to her and relax from my toes all the way to my busy brain. I’m home.

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Take Me I’m Yours” - Squeeze

Lucy’s Copacetic Shagadelic Mixtape, Song #9

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