Page 70 of Love in the Lab
“Okay,” he agrees. “But don’t go home. Stay here and have your alone time. Then I can see you when I get back. I won’t be too late.”
Even though the drive home will be easier now than later tonight when I’m tired, I am pretty comfortable already on Jonathan’s couch. “Word of warning: if you leave me alone in your apartment, Iwillsnoop around.”
Jonathan chuckles and presses a kiss to my forehead before standing up. “Go for it. What’s mine is yours, Carrots.” He grabs his keys. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
After he leaves, Idosnoop, but not too invasively. In a desk drawer, I find the stack of sticky notes I put up in Jonathan’scubicle and that he’s been using since to leave notes on my refrigerator.
Though we’ve been officially together almost a month now, this is my first time back at his apartment since Hernando. My apartment is closer to everything, including the lab, so we tend to hang out there. Being here now makes me think of that night and how safe I felt, despite the risk we were taking out on the boat. I think of the collection of sticky notes on my refrigerator, each sweeter than the next. Every little and big way he’s shown me I’m special to him.
Maybe it’s time to leave a note onhisrefrigerator. But what to say?
I’ve been happier this month with Jonathan than I’ve ever been before in my life. He pushes me out of my comfort zone while making me feel safe. He helps me remember my good qualities instead of always dwelling on the bad. He encourages me to find more balance in my life, embracing joy in addition to work.
When I think about it, there’s really only one thing to write that encapsulates everything I want to say.
I sort through the stack of sticky notes until I find the sunshine yellow one with a tiny hand-drawn heart on the back. I jot down the words and stick the paper on the front of Jonathan’s refrigerator. Then I curl up in his bed to watch a movie.
I must fall asleep, because the next thing I know, Jonathan settles into bed next to me, spooning me with his chest against my back and his arm over my side with his hand resting against my stomach.
He nuzzles his nose into my neck, then whispers softly in my ear, “I love you, too.”
Even half-asleep, I smile. Maybe Halloween isn’t such a bad holiday after all.
Chapter twenty-seven
Jonathan
Iwake up smiling, holding Molly in my arms. I swear I sleep better when she’s in bed with me, when my skin is in contact with hers. It calms everything inside me, and I relax into the sound of her rhythmic breathing. I could 100 percent get used to this.
She loves me.
I sit up slowly, careful not to disturb Molly, and slide off the bed to walk to the bathroom. Then, I move to the kitchen to get coffee started. I lean back against the kitchen counter and stare at the bright yellow sticky note on my black refrigerator. Ican’t see my own face, but I’m sure the grin there could only be described as goofy. But something’s missing.
I need to hear hersayit.
I turn around and finish getting the coffee ready. I open the refrigerator door to see what I can offer Molly for breakfast. Last time she was here, we had fruit pops, but I’m sure I can do better than that this morning.She doesn’t like eggs, I remind myself. I wonder if that would extend to French toast? Pancakes are probably a safe bet. I’ve seen her eat pancakes.
A noise behind me catches my attention, and I spin to see Molly walk into the kitchen. I grin and emphatically close the refrigerator door so that the sticky note is on display.
Gesturing toward it, I ask, “Can you read this note for me, please?”
She shakes her head, a smile playing across her lips. “Good morning to you, too.”
I take one long step toward her and smack a kiss against her cheek. “Good morning. Now, please read this note?”
She smirks and stares at the note quietly.
“Out loud, Carrots!”
She giggles. “Ohhh. You didn’t say that.”
I throw up my hands. “Molly!”
She laughs and takes my hands in hers. Her hair is mussed, her clothes sleep-rumpled. Those deep blue eyes I love are bright. A soft smile lights her face as she holds my gaze. “I don’t need to read it because I have it memorized. It’s written on my heart. I love you, Jonathan.”
I pull her against my chest and wrap her in my arms, burying my face in her hair. After several minutes, I release her and tap my thumb underneath her chin to lift her face toward mine. “I love you, Molly.”
Her lips form a tight smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. My heart sinks. “What?” I ask.
