Page 9 of The Last Key
“I missed you,” she whispers.
“Missed you more.”
She laughs as she loosens her grip and steps back. “Doubt it.” Though her eyes are glistening, she has a playful smile on her face,but it softens as she looks around. “Gosh, this place is just the same as I remember it. Still feels like home. Can’t believe it’s been ten years since I’ve been back. Definitely not waiting so long next time.”
“You better not.”
She sighs happily. “Mm. What smells good?”
“Latte and banana bread.”
She grabs my arm and her eyes light up. “Gladys’s banana bread?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Gimme.”
“Go sit down on the couch. Get comfy. I’ll bring it.”
She doesn’t move, instead staying in place and looking at me reverently. The look is so potent it hits me square in the chest.
“What?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “I really missed you.”
I smile and nod toward the living room. “Get settled.”
She nods and walks into the living room as I head down the hallway toward the kitchen.
She’s really here.
I start her latte, then slice another piece of banana bread and stick it in the toaster oven. My heart’s pounding as I glance at the living room.
What if I told her?
I swore to myself a long time ago that I never would, but maybe…
Fuck. What if it ruined everything?
I can’t lose her. No one else makes me feel like this. And I guess that’s part of the problem. It’s not a crush anymore. It’s far beyond the desire to fuck her. I love her. My stupid ass isin lovewith her. Maybe I should man up and fucking tell her. Tell her I’m all hers. That I don’t want to live without her. That I’m fucking crazy for her, and I’d worship her every single day if she gave me a chance.
Maybe…
Maybe those three sentences would destroy everything.
It’s too big a risk if she doesn’t feel the same way.
Shaking my head, I finish making her latte, add her banana bread to my plate, and spread some butter on it, then grab my latte and join her in the living room.
She happily takes her mug and pulls her knees up to her chest, nestling into me as I sit in the corner of the oversized leather sofa.
I laugh and look down at her. “What would you have done if I hadn’t answered your text?”
Her eyes dance as she looks back at me. “You gave me a key, remember?”
She gave me so much crap when I gave it to her, saying it wouldn’t help me, given she was on the other side of the country. But that’s not why I gave it to her. I wanted her to know this would always be a safe place for her. Like it is right now.
“I remember you sassing me.”
