Page 60 of Keeping Skylar
“You made it so easy for me to find my voice again. So, it’s me who should be thanking you.”
“That was all you, baby.” After a moment of silence, I reach over and gently touch her cheek. “Skylar?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I hold you?” I whisper.
Wordlessly, she turns to lie on her other side, presenting her back to me.Just when I think she’s shut me down, she reaches behind her, takes my hand, and pulls me closer, wrapping my arm around her waist.
Our fingers intertwine, and I hold her tightly against me, as though afraid she might slip away at any moment. I bury my face in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of coconut and lime, and feeling a sense of calm wash over me.
That night, I slept better than I ever had in my thirty years of life. And it’s all thanks to this extraordinary woman tucked safely in my arms.
During my stroll to the restaurant, I decide to give Hannah a quick call to check on how Nate is doing and to discuss plans for Skylar’s upcoming birthday.
I woke up this morning to an empty side of the bed; Skylar had already left for work without waking me. When I texted to ask if she’d slept well, she replied with a winking emoji and a thumbs up. I smiled, taking it as a promising sign. I might just have to follow up on that later tonight.
Hannah picks up on the second ring, her voice groggy and laced with sleep. “Hello.”
“Hey, little sis. Up for a chat?”
“Yeah, okay. What’s up?” she replies with a long yawn.
“You sound tired. What’s wrong?”
She lets out an exhausted sigh. “Nothing. Just Nate keeping me up all night with his incessant whining. I swear, he turns into a toddler when he’s sick. I barely got an ounce of sleep last night.” She huffs.
“Ahh...Playing nurse, I see.”
She yawns again, and I hear shuffling in the background. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a choice. Anyway, what can I do for you, twin?”
“I wanted to ask if you wanted to help me organise something for Skylar’s birthday? It’s in three weeks.”
I hear more shuffling, followed by the sound of a car door closing. “Oh, I didn’t realise her birthday was coming up so soon. That’s sweet of you, Heath. What do you have in mind?”
I’m standing in front of my work, looking through the glass window when an idea quickly springs to mind. “Her birthday is on a Saturday, and as you know, I’ll be working that night. But if you and Nate bring her to the restaurant, I’ll happily whip up something special for everyone, on the house.”
“Oh, wow! That sounds like a fantastic idea!” Hannah exclaims. “That’s quite a lot to do for someone you’ve only known for a few weeks,” she says suspiciously.
“I’ve gotten to know her a little more each week and she’s quickly grown on me. Can’t I do something nice for a friend?”
Hannah is silent for a moment, then lets out a gasp. “Heath Mason Bedford! What did you do?”
“What do you mean, what did I do? I didn’t do anything,” I lie.
“Please, tell me you haven’t tried anything on her!”
I take a long pause, and she interprets my silence as my answer. “Oh my God! What have you done? And don’t you dare lie to me!” she snaps.
“Fine. I kissed her, okay! And I’m not fucking sorry!”
Hannah gasps. “Are you serious!” she shouts. “Have you not been listening to a word I’ve said? Why would you do that?!”
“Because I like her, Hannah. A lot. I tried to keep my distance, but I just can’t get her out of my mind,” I finally confess. “And before you go off your nut, she kissed me back.”
“She kissed you back? Like, she didn’t push you away or slap you across your smug face?” she asks sarcastically.
“She did neither, smartarse. We kissed for a while actually, and it wasn’t awkward afterwards.”
