Page 72 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 2

After climbing in bed, I toss and turn, the bed feeling colder without Tealey next to me. How can such a small thing take up so much room . . . in bed . . .in me?

It’s just not the same without her, so I finally give up, get dressed for the day, and go downstairs. I see Cammie and Cade are on the back porch through the large windows framing the lawn and ocean in the distance. My mom is in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on platters of fruits and pastries. Glancing up, she smiles. It’s the kind that makes me feel like a kid again—loved—and, although I proved her wrong many times, like I can do no wrong. “Good morning, son.”

“Morning, Mom.”

“How’d you sleep?”

Images of Tealey on top of me, her fingers running through my hair, and our bodies against each other come to mind.Fuck. Don’t get hard.I could have come through my clothes, but we’d stop, she’d giggle, and then we’d kiss again, doing it all over again.

“Like a baby.” Coming around the large island, I kiss her on the cheek. “You?”

“I love having you under my roof again. It gives me a sense of peace, knowing you’re safe.”

“I’m always safe even when I’m not here.”

“You’ll understand one day if you decide to settle down and have kids.”

She’s never pressured me to get married or give her grandkids, but she’s not shy about her dreams of it happening one day.

“I need to accomplish a few things first.”

That gets her attention. “First. I like that. Also, you don’t need to accomplish more. You’re very accomplished already. So, I have a feeling it’s not aneed. It’s awant.” She turns to me and holds a honey bun up to my mouth. “I want you to leave your troubles in the city and try to relax this weekend.”

I bite the bun and nod. “Yes, ma’am.”

When she starts carrying a platter to the table, I follow with the other and then seek out the caffeine I need. I pour a cup of coffee, missing the routine I’ve fallen into of choosing a punny mug to make Tealey smile each day. I didn’t even realize we had a routine to miss until now when faced with a sea of white cups.

The mugs are funny, but it’s the company I’m craving the most. Our mornings begin with a quick chat in the kitchen before work, and most nights, she falls asleep on the couch when it gets late. I don’t wake her right away because I like the sound of her peaceful breaths at midnight.

I don’t want to miss any of it, not even for a weekend. I glance at the stairs, hoping to catch a glimpse of her coming to fill the Grand Canyon–sized hole in my chest again.

When I don’t see her, I walk to the buffet, wondering if eating enough honey buns will do the trick.

“Good morning, Amanda.” From just hearing the sound of Tealey’s voice, I’m smiling before I even look up. When I do, I’m not disappointed.

Wearing a yellow sundress hitting just above her knees, she walks across the marble floors in little white sneakers. Her hair is loose with soft waves streaming past her shoulders. Those beautiful blue eyes stare into mine, and if I’m not mistaken, her lips are swollen from our kissing. I try to act normal, but she makes it damn hard not to stare.

My mom says, “Good morning, Tealey. You look like sunshine today. Yellow is your color.”

Mom’s compliment deepens the pink in Tealey’s cheeks, matching the shade of her lips.

“Good morning, Rad,” Tealey says, tugging at a strap as if she’s suddenly self-conscious. When she joins me at the buffet, she asks, “How’d you sleep?”

“Amazing.” I lean down, resting my forearms on the counter next to where she’s standing at the coffee pot. “How’d you sleep?”

“Like a baby.”

“That’s what Rad said,” my mom says with a bowl of berries in her hands. “Glad you’re enjoying the getaway.” She holds her finger up. “Tealey, can you do me a favor and try to get Rad to forget about work and relax this weekend?”

Tealey smirks while I try to hide my amusement. “It would be my pleasure, Amanda.”

That sly vixen.I whisper, “And mine.”

“How about I take the berries out back and leave you two to chat?”

I turn back, worried I wasn’t sneaky enough. “You don’t have to leave, Mom.”

“I was heading to the back porch anyway.” The door closes behind her, and Tealey and I are alone.

---