Page 57 of From Grumpy to Forever
I wasn’t going to let myself think about what was going to happen when all this was over. Not after the night we shared. Even if it was temporary. Even if it was just for another day or two, she was mine.
And I was going to let myself enjoy every minute of it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Avery
Fortunately, Jacob had already left for the day by the time I finally pulled myself away from Reid, stretched out my aching muscles, and made it out to the kitchen. Of course, he hadn’t left a note—not that I’d expected him to—but no doubt he’d headed back to town to see whether he could dig up any more dirt on Reid and me and how our relationship wasn’t real.
Wasn’t it?
It sure felt real last night. It felt very, very real. And then again this morning when I’d woken in his arms. That had felt more real than anything I’d felt in a very long time. Safe, cared for, protected…loved.
It was ridiculous, certainly because there was no way there was any love between me and Reid this soon. Marriage or not. Yet…with him, I’d felt something I didn’t remember ever feeling with Porter. Maybe it was just the gift of time and distance that had dulled my memories, but I didn’t think so.
Reid was different. Being with him felt different.
“One sugar, no cream.” I turned from the toaster as Reid handed me a cup of coffee.
“Yeah,” I said dumbly. “You know how I take my coffee?” I blinked at him as he laughed.
“Of course I do.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “You’re my wife.”
A full-body shiver rolled through my body. After a moment, I said, “Yes. I am.”
Reid grinned. For a moment, my entire world spun, and I couldn’t help but feel that even though it wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a temporary arrangement between strangers, this was proof that it was more. It was so much more.
“At least for now,” he said with a chuckle and reached past me as the toaster popped.
I’m glad he wasn’t looking at me because I knew my face would have registered the hurt of his words. The truth they held.
At least for now.
I needed to remember that, or saying goodbye when the time came was going to be a whole hell of a lot harder.
“Right.” I forced a cheerfulness I didn’t feel into my voice. “What’s the plan today? Do you need to go back to your shop or get any supplies from Grayson?”
I winced as I asked the question, knowing I was up to my eyeballs in debt with Grayson. He’d been kind enough to extend me credit. More than once. But I didn’t know just how far his generosity would go, and small businesses had bills to pay, too. I didn’t want to take advantage of him.
Especially when I didn’t know when—or if—the money was ever going to come through.
I shook my head and took a sip of the hot coffee. I couldn’t let myself think that way. The money would come through. I refused to believe any other option.
I literally couldn’t afford to.
“What’s with the serious look?” Reid was watching me, concern crinkling his handsome expression.
Without even realizing it, I’d gotten used to seeing the smile on his normally grumpy face. I’d grown used to the light dancing in his eyes. I didn’t want it to be dimmed because of me.
“Everything okay, Avery?”
“Of course,” I lied quickly. I took another sip of coffee, using the caffeine to fortify me. “After last night, and waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, what could possibly be wrong?”
I did my best to keep my voice flirty and light. It must have worked because, after a moment, Reid’s lips twisted up into a cheeky grin. He reached for me, his arm snaking around my waist so he could pull me in close. “I couldn’t agree more,” he said, his voice rough and laced with desire. “I can only think of one thing that would have made this morning even better, and I blame myself for letting the opportunity slip through my fingers.”
He kissed me, and I let myself sink into it. This might only be a temporary situation, but I’d be dammed if I wasn’t going to make the most of every single minute.
“There’s always tomorrow,” I said with a wink when he finally pulled away.
