Page 75 of The Bright Side of Brooding
The word sounded almost comical, and yet it shot a thrill straight through me. I liked being something of hers. “I guess I am.”
Her brows raised. “Youguess?”
I chuckled low, relishing her indignation. “I am.I am. I just hadn’t thought of it in that term, but of course. And you’re my girlfriend.”
Some primal part of me raged at the word for her. I didn’t want her to be my girlfriend. I wanted her to bemine. But girlfriend was a good first step. A necessary step, too.
Her answering smile lit up the room, and she pressed her hand flat in the center of my chest. “Yes, I am.”
We smiled at each other like idiots for a minute, but my watch buzzed at the hour. One a.m.
“I hate to, but I have to go. Art and Alicia will be in by eight.”
“Go. And I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
She leaned up on her toes to press a kiss to my lips. I caught her behind the back and held her there for a minute, storing up the touch until I’d see her again.
“Sleep well.”
I jogged the half block home, anxious to get to bed. Eager to review the events of the night in my mind. Resolute that, at some point, this return trip wouldn’t be necessary.
