Page 60 of Doughn't Let Me Go

Slice Eight

Doris

“Is this becoming our new thing?”

“What’s that?”

“Coffee together in the morning.”

Porter smirks at me over his now full coffee mug, leaning back on the counter in the same spot he leans every morning.

He never sits next to me and hardly ever rests against the island.

I both hate and love that he keeps his distance.

This morning I especially love it because he’s wearing another pair of sweatpants, this time black. His shirt is white and plain, and it clings to the still damp spots on his body from the shower he’s apparently just finished if his wet hair is any indication.

I wonder if the mahogany he always seems to smell like is because of his body wash, his cologne, or if it’s just a scent that’s all Porter.

“I guess it is. Usually it’s me waiting for you though.”

“You wait for me?”

I’m sure he sees the panic in my eyes when the unintended hopefulness in my voice becomes obvious to me. I study the mug in my hands, trying not to study him.

“Usually, but only because I feel bad that you have to hang with Kyrie all day. You need adult interaction too.”

I laugh because I know he’s teasing, trying to find a way to make this less awkward.

So far, living with Porter hasn’t been completely unbearable. After The Pantry Thing, we drew the invisible line and stayed on our sides. We’re doing everything we can to get over this.

“Why’d I beat ya today? Late night?”

Please don’t say yes. Please don’t say yes.

“Hardly. I was at the gym.” I make a face, and he chuckles. “The gym isn’tthatbad.”

“It is if you’re allergic to exercising.”

“And are you?”

“Of course I am. Self-diagnosed, thank you very much.”

His stony eyes dance with amusement.

It’s weird. Gray is supposed to be dull. Boring.Plain.

But not on Porter. No.

On him, gray is vibrant. Exciting.Mischievous.

“Interested in helping me make breakfast?”

“You’re finally going to cook?”

“I mean, we have all these groceries now—might as well use them. Besides, it’s Wednesday.”

“What does the day of the week have to do with anything?”

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