Page 46 of Head Over Feels
Thenext morning, as soon as it was late enough,IcalledLisa.Myentire body relaxed when she answered.
"Hey,Malcolm.What'sup?"
"Hey,Lisa.Sorryto bother you so early."
"Don'tworry about it.Ihave a few minutes before my first appointment gets here.What'sgoing on?"
"Well,Ihad sex withFelix."
"Okay.Andhow did that go?"
"Well, it was just casual, so, fine,Iguess?Butthe next morning somebody left a bomb onFelix'scar in my driveway, and it went off right in front of us."Lisamade a shocked sound, soIrushed to reassure her. "We’reboth fine, only a little bruised up."
“Holdon.Somebodyblew upFelix’scar?”
“Um, no.Thebomb was in a box on top of his car, and he threw it into the street where it blew up.I’llexplain it all later.Anyway, the police are looking into it.FelixandIare staying with friends for a few days.”
“Soyou’re safe?”
“Yeah.Bigsecurity gate and everything.”
Lisalet out a relieved breath. “Thatmust've been pretty scary.Howwas your reaction afterwards?"
"Yeah, that’s whyI’mcalling.IthoughtIwas doing okay until it was time to go to sleep.Yougot any open appointments today?"
Wearranged for me to come see her in the afternoon.
Ikilled some time straightening up my bedroom, thenIfedMariposaand made breakfast.Thesmell of coffee and bacon must have wokenFelixup, because he stumbled out of his room a few minutes later.Hewas wearing my sweatpants and t-shirt, which made my chest feel strangely warm.
I’dwanted to ask him to sleep with me last night, but we were both too tired for sex.Icouldn't bring myself to tell himIneeded the companionship and comfort of another person.
Lisawas going to point out whyIshould've made myself vulnerable withFelix, andI’dhave to grit my teeth and listen.
Felixbeelined for the coffee machine—and trust me, this was a machine, not merely a coffee maker.Wewere lucky someone had helpfully taped the instructions to the inside of the cabinet door above it.
"Sitdown,"ItoldFelix. "I'llfix you a plate."Hegrunted and walked stiffly over to the table.Imade a mental note to carve out time for us in the hot tub again today.
Felixbegan to perk up as he was finishing the last of his eggs and toast.Herefilled his coffee and said, "How’syour leg today?"
Iopened my mouth to answer, but we heard raised voices right outside so we both turned toward the front of the cottage.
Igathered my crutches and stood, motioningFelixto stay behind me as we went to the door.JustasIreached for the doorknob, rapid knocking echoed through the house.
Ipulled it open to findColebouncing on his toes with a big grin on his face.Itwas more perkiness thanIwas ready for at that hour.Orany hour, really.Willstood about ten feet behind him, shaking his head and mouthing,Sorry.
Cole, vibrating in excitement, asked, "Isthis your car?And, more importantly, are you willing to sell it?"
"What?"Iscrunched my brows, glancing betweenColeandWill. "Letme come out there."Ijerked my chin, indicatingColeshould move back to let me wrangle my crutches through the door.Ifollowed him down the path to the guest cottage’s parking area where theBuicklounged in all its glory.
Colebounded past me and ran a covetous hand down the hood. "Whatis this, from the eighties?"I’dleft the top open.Coledidn't climb inside, but he leaned over as far as he could to see the instrumentation on the dashboard.
"Youcan sit in it if you'd like,"Ioffered. "Butit's not actually mine, soIcan't sell it to you even ifIwanted to."
Colehefted open the long door.Heslid behind the wheel, making anoofsound as he pulled the door shut.
Ichuckled. "Yeah, they don't build them like this anymore, that's for sure."
"Whodoes it belong to?"Coleasked reverently as he caressed the steering wheel and pumped the brakes.
