Page 108 of Forbidden Kisses
"That I miss Jeremy. He’d like this.”
“He’ll have some tomorrow. There’s plenty left. Tell me if you like it."
"I always eat it with a spoon," I informed him.
"Ah, I was wondering why you put out spoons."
It was still hot, so I blew on it before taking a small mouthful. I closed my eyes, and the trailer appeared in front of me. The mustard couch that was also my bed at night. The small table that was chipped at every corner. Mom's laughter as I took a huge mouthful even though she’d warned me it was hot.
"I take it as a compliment that you're not saying anything."
I opened my eyes.
"That's a very cute smile you have on," Duncan said.
"I swear I just stepped back in time. This is truly perfect."
"Smile again. I want to take a picture of you," he said. "Your mom requested one."
"Wait. I know just what to do." I loaded my spoon with so much chili that I could never fit it into my mouth. I held it next to my face and grinned.
He laughed, snapping a picture. "Okay, I sent it."
We sipped wine while eating—it was a delicious combo. When he gently nudged my leg under the table, I fell in love with him even more.
Could this really be our life? I'd come here from work and spend time with Duncan and Jeremy?
I didn't want to dream too much, but it felt almost impossible not to. I felt as if everything was in my grasp.
After I finished the food and the glass of wine, he asked, "Want to move to the couch?"
"Oh yeah," I said.
He filled our glasses again, and I took those with us as well. As I sat down, I put my feet on the couch. Duncan immediatelyscooted next to me, taking my legs in his lap. "See, this is why we need a couch on our camping trip too."
I laughed. "Oh, Duncan, we don't have to go camping again. Jeremy and I would be just as happy in a hotel, honestly."
"No, I have photographic evidence from last weekend that you two were having the time of your lives in that cramped little tent."
He tapped his phone, then turned it to me.
There was a picture of Jeremy and me putting the tent together and then another one assembling the camping chairs. And another one where we played with the zipper of the tent. My heart expanded just looking at the time we’d spent together.
"You both had a lot of fun."
I couldn't disagree. Jeremy and I were laughing so hard that I was surprised we didn't pull a muscle. "I miss him so much."
"Fuck, I love you even more when you say that."
He put the phone down, then pulled my leg so that my ass landed in his lap. I latched on to his shoulders for dear life.
"I can't believe you care about him in such a way."
"Of course I do. I love him too," I said. "And this week, it became apparent to me just how much. It physically hurt here to be away from him." I put a hand on my chest. "I can't even imagine how things will be when I have to travel to see clients or something."
He touched my cheek. "You do what you have to do. We’ll support you. Both of us. I can't wait to tell him tomorrow."
"Same for me," I confessed.
