Page 78 of The Senator

“Okay, you’re right, this is better.”

“I know.” He smiles, wide and happy. My chest burns at the sight. He starts making a cup for himself.

“So?” I say over the rim of the mug. Maybe I can solve another mystery. “Why coffee?”

He slows his actions for a moment, thinking. “My father…used to really, really love it. I don’t have many happy childhood memories, so.” He cocks his head as if he’s done explaining.

“And now? Does he still love coffee?”

“No.” His happiness fades as he takes a sip.

I can’t help but press for more. “Do you two get along? You and your dad?”

He squints. “It’s…complicated.”

“Because of the pressure? All his expectations?”

He sets his coffee down and places an arm on either side of me again. “All fathers have high expectations. I also have high expectations. For today.” I wrap my legs around him and raise my eyebrows, but he pulls away. “Not that. You’re not healed enough yet.”

“I feel fine,” I say, suddenly needy. One childhood story and I feel like he’s laid himself bare for me. Why is his vulnerability like catnip to me? I guess I’m that desperate to be close to him.

“You do feel fine.” He places his hands on my waist and his voice lowers. “And you look fine. Very fine.” Then he backs away. “But in a few minutes, you’ll be ready to crash. So. My expectations are in the kitchen. For croissants.”

I frown. “You want me to make you some breakfast?”

“No, I want you to sit and look pretty while you teach me how to make those little crack rolls.”

I laugh. “Mark, it’s taken me years to figure those out!”

He sighs, gathering me into his strong, long arms again. “Fine, you look pretty, I’ll make eggs.”

I stare up at him, loving how disheveled and sleepy he still looks. “Where’s Tyson?”

He scowls down at me. “I can feed my own wife.”

“You gave him the day off?”

I am placed gently in one of the kitchen chairs. “I gave him the morning off. Let’s not get crazy.”

I laugh and he grins. He puts on music, Justin Timberlake, I think, and starts getting out his supplies.

“What day is it? Are you off work?”

“I have to go to Washington tomorrow, so I cleared today.”

I yawn and shift in my seat. He was right. I’m already spent just from a little time out of bed. He gives me a sidewaysI told you soglance. “Cleared the day for what?” I wonder, since I’m obviously not up for anything.

“So I could nap with my wife.” He says it so matter of factly, like it’s obvious. My mouth falls open, which turns into another yawn. He hands me my phone. “I told them you were fine, but apparently that wasn’t enough.”

I chuckle. He literally sent replies to all my family and Luna that simply sayShe’s fine.Except for Zeno. To Z he wrote,My wife is fine.

I reply to messages while Mark cooks. We are both on our phones while we eat but it’s not as lonely this time. When we’re done, he lifts me again and settles us into his bed. He wraps himself around me and sighs. His embrace is wonderful, but it’s the sigh that touches something in my soul. It sounded so deep and content. Happy. At peace.

It sounded real.

Please, please, God, let all this be real.

CHAPTER 30

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