Page 59 of Unmasking Secrets
I can’t think. All I can do is feel.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ARCHIE
I’m obsessed. It’s the only logical reason this smile hasn’t left my face all day. Or days, really. Taking things slow didn’t last as long as I thought it would, or attempted to. After a week of little dates, lingering touches, and making out like teenagers, there was no stopping us once we got started. Not until we christened every room in her house.
It’s why I knew ordering delivery for lunch would hit the spot. Neither one of us were interested in leaving our little bubble of happiness. The real world could wait another day or two. Right now, I only wanted to focus on Tabitha—on us.
I clean up the takeout containers and wipe down the marble countertops. Memories of having her on this counter the night before come to mind and only make me eager to get back to her.
It doesn’t take long to make her tea. I could do it with my eyes closed. She takes it the same way she did when she was younger, just like my mom would make theirs. Dad always told me to pay attention, because it was the little things. And when it came to Tabitha, I always paid attention.
Except how I somehow missed that she had feelings for me too. We were both good at hiding the attraction from each other when we were younger. Maybe because we were both too focused on hiding it, we didn’t realize the other felt the same way.
I don’t want to linger on those thoughts anymore. Not when she’s mine. I don’t want either of us to move forward with any regrets. We have too much time to make up for now.
“Thank you.” She smiles as I pass her the tea in a pink mug.
Tabitha snuggles under a chunk knit blanket on the oversized round chaise lounge. She sets a graphic novel to the side as she cups the mug with both hands.
I scoot in next to her with my cup of coffee. My body relaxes once I’m settled in place and she leans to be closer to me. I wrap my arm around her and close my eyes. I’m not tired, but more at ease than I’ve been in a long time.
The television above the fireplace plays soft instrumental music. It doesn’t take long before I hear the pages flip; she’s reading again. I haven’t seen her spend much time in here until the last week. Her living room is weirdly calming.
A light brown bookcase takes up one wall, reaching up to the tall ceiling. There’s even one of those rolling ladder so she can reach to the tallest shelf. The bookcase is mostly full of books, but there are a few knickknacks and pictures scattered among them.
“Do you ever read?”
I open my eyes to see her eyes still on her book. The question has caught me by surprise. I used to love reading when I was akid, mostly those fantasy novels. The ones with a ton of world building. I can’t remember the last time I read a book, though.
“Not in a while.” I answer honestly.
She looks up at me. “I’ve got some fantasy books over there, just saying.”
“Oh, yeah?” She nods. “Are they just fantasy or are love stories involved?”
Tabitha laughs. “A little bit of both. I’m a mood reader.” She shrugs.
A soft knock comes from the door. I glance over then back to Tabitha. She shakes her head, clearly not expecting anyone. It’s late into the afternoon.
Another soft knock sounds.
“Coming.” She yells and starts to get up.
“No, you’re not.” I argue quietly. “Stay here for a second.”
I pull my phone out of my pocket and switch to the security camera app. A woman in big sunglasses waits patiently on her porch.
“Do you know her?”
Tabitha gasps. “That’s my ex-mother-in-law.”
I grab my laptop from the nearby table and open up the other security cameras. I don’t see anyone else lingering nearby, but we can’t be too careful.
Tabitha is up and crossing the room.
“Wait!” I jump up to be next to her, just in case.
