Page 64 of Almost Love

So much so that the back pages of his sketchbook were filled with Clementine. One page, so far, was dedicated to documenting her smiles. Multiple pages were filled with sketches of her face, her body and even her hands. Ever since their first kiss in that very room, he’d seen different renditions of Clementine and he was fascinated.

Flipping to the last page, he tapped the heading:CLEMENTINE’S SMILES, followed by a short list of the ones he’d noticed so far. He’d attempted to draw little doodles beside each one, but gave up when it became impossible. How could heever even capture Clementine’s smiles visually? He checked the time then added a new one from that morning to the bottom.

° when she thinks nobody is watching and the corners curve upwards

° when I appreciate whatever she’s cooked

° when I call her ‘baby’, she fucking hates it and even rolls her eyes

° fresh off an orgasm, a blissed out, almost drunk one

It was a miracle Oakley was getting any work done, because when he wasn’t bent over a tattoo, hewasdaydreaming about her. That had been the case from the minute he met her, but now that he knew what she looked like when she came, that visual lived in his head rent-free.

His phone buzzed and one glance showed a text from Clementine before the screen went dark. Smiling, he closed his notebook and grabbed the device.

Clementine

Do you have any plans tonight?

Oakley

I can change my plans.

Clementine

Oh.

No, we can do this another time.

He chuckled, visualizing her face as she responded. They didn’t go into every day knowing they would see the otherperson that evening. Often, he showed up at the bakery to whisk her away. Sometimes she would be waiting outside when he wrapped up at work. They always ended up at her house, pressed up against doors and walls as their mouths and hands wandered.

Oakley

I’m all yours. What did you have in mind?

Clementine

Are you sure?

Oakley

Well…now I feel like I should wait to find out what you’re planning to do to me.

Clementine

Since you never asked if I was capable of murder when we first met, it’s a little late to back out now.

Oakley

I’ve seen you with knives and I know you’re definitely capable of chopping me into tiny pieces.

Clementine

Bonus points, I’m not squeamish about blood.

Oakley

…

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