Page 73 of It Happened Back Then
I hear her but not really. My mind races with it all. He said he’d talk to her but I didn’t think he’d say all that. And now I know what we have,what we’ve had,is the real deal.
“He chose me.”
She jumps off the countertop and throws her arm around me. “No shit. He always chose you. Do you get it now?”
CHAPTER 39 - BLOSSOM
Islowly come awake, the sun shining through the windows warming my skin. I breathe deep, waiting for the nausea to hit, but for the first time in a couple weeks, I feel pretty good.
I open my eyes and see Bennett’s sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. He’s shirtless and watching me like he hasn’t slept all night.
“What?” I croak, still half asleep.
He smiles. “Good morning to you too.”
“Morning,” I mumble, and he chuckles.
“I forgot you’re not much of a morning person.”
“Mm. Why are you staring?” I bury my face into the pillow.
“Just wondering when you put my shirt on last night.”
I peek at him, as he snuggles down in the bed, closer to me. “I was hoping to still find you naked this morning.” He waggles his brows and I giggle.
“I need coffee first.”
His laughter rumbles in his chest, and something in me relaxes completely as he kisses my forehead, running hishand over my ass before giving it a swat. “Already brewing. I’ll go make us some breakfast.”
I turn over as he gets up from the bed, his shorts sitting low on his hips. Memories of last night come back fast, and instead of feeling underwater, for the first time in a long time, I feel peaceful. Like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I use the bathroom, brush my teeth, and try to control my hair a bit before joining him in the kitchen. He’s got eggs and pancake batter out, and a small plate of bacon.
“I didn’t even smell the bacon cooking.”
He looks at me and begins to crack a couple eggs into the bowl. “I wasn’t sure what foods you could tolerate so I haven’t cooked anything yet. That bacon is from the restaurant. I can warm it up if you feel like having it.”
“That’s really sweet of you.” I walk to him and circle my arms around his back. “My first thought when I woke up was that I actually feel good today, no nausea.”
He turns and faces me, wrapping his arms around me. “That was your first thought? Not how good I gave it to you last night, but that you didn’t feel like throwing up? I don’t know whether to be happy or insulted.”
I swat his chest, and he laughs holding me tighter. “That was my second thought, so be proud of yourself.”
He snickers. “Want to try some eggs?”
I nod my head and grab the orange juice from the fridge. “I do. And pancakes too.”
“You got it.”
He moves around the kitchen easily and I set the table for us. It’s familiar yet new and still exciting. I’m happy this is what life looks like now.
I sit at the table and sip my juice. “What’s your favorite thing to cook?”
He glances at me over his shoulder, flipping a pancake like it’s nothing. “You mean, like, ever?”
I nod. “Yeah. Your go-to meal when you’re feeling good.”
He thinks for a second, then grins. “Peach cobbler.”
