Page 50 of Come Back To Me
“I should have guessed you were going to want a zombie outside on our porch to even out the house.”
“And that was exactly what I was going for too. One inside and one outside.”
“I don’t think I’ll be creating any more Rileys. I might get too jealous if you start paying more attention to the new one.”
“If he’s made of pumpkin then you won’t have anything to worry about.” He wrinkles his nose. “I hate the taste of pumpkin.”
“What were we saying before about some things never changing?”
“Yeah, and that’s a non-negotiable one.”
I chuckle against his lips, my tongue slipping between his teeth, and he holds me at a distance. “I can taste the dried blood on you. On your mouth.”
My face falls and I back away. “I can brush my teeth . . . or better. I can eat lots of pumpkin.”
His lips jump. “Yeah. We can see if that’ll work later. I still need to see your pumpkin.”
“It’s not a blue-ribbon winner like yours, but I think it’ll look pretty good sitting next to it.” I crane my neck, turning the pumpkin around to make the front visible to him.
His eyes glimmer. “It’s very, very cute.”
“You think?” I look down at a printed image of us dancing to our favorite song. I painted a starry sky around us and his eyes glow so much, it’s like it lights up with them.
“I love it. How about we recreate it.” He nudges his head toward the back door.
“On the back porch?”
“Yup. I’ll bring the record player to the kitchen and give you a head start while I turn it on.”
I peer out the window and the sky is navy with yellow glowing shapes appearing like sprinkles. “Deal.”
I open the door and step out into the cool air. The beginning of our favorite song plays and I smile, spinning around two times.The next time I peel my lids apart, he’s standing right in front of me, offering me his hand. I take it and he leads, taking us around the deck with our feet moving like we’re floating on clouds. I twirl and twirl before he dips me, his lips curling over mine. They’re so close to pressing fully together, and then he lifts me up, making me sway with him as he guides my head to his chest.
The stars are so bright around us and the sky is lighting up to mimic what I feel inside. “I love you,” I whisper in his ear, remembering the last time I said it. When the sky and I were both breaking so much we were sharing a cry that lasted all night. Not this time. My lips tilt high and I laugh when he spins me faster. I’m dizzy within minutes and he’s keeping me from falling. I helped him rise from his grave and now we’re staying above ground together.
Fifteen
Riley
While Gareth is sound asleep, I slip out of the house and I’m stopped on the way to my car by my boss.
“Gabe. Hey, what are you doing here? Did you need me to return before next week after all?” Worry curls inside me, and now I’m wondering if I’ve taken advantage of his kindness.
“No, no. We know you’re still adjusting, and I did tell you to take more time if you needed to.” His eyes dart to a container in his hands. “Vincent baked these and he thought it’d be a good idea for me to bring them over. We feel really bad we missed the funeral. Me especially.”
“Please. There’s no need to feel bad. Your mom was sick and she needed you.”
“Vincent’s mom actually, and his brother said it was our turn since he went to be by her side with his wife last time she was in the hospital.”
“Still. You were needed elsewhere. I understood that and Gareth would have too.”
“I know but I wanted to come by to make amends anyway, with homemade baked goods.”
I smile softly. “I accept your offering.” I take the container. “And I’ll return this Monday when I come back to work.”
“You not coming to the party after all? Not that I wouldn’t understand if you didn’t.”
“I’m not sure.” My lips turn downward. “I’m going to try, though. “I’m supposed to meet with Gareth’s brother to go through some of his things.” Yeah, I’m lying to everyone I know now. Will it ever stop? It won’t if I plan on continuing to protect my big secret. Having Gareth back has come with a lot of consequences, but I think I’ve already been through the worse of them.
