Page 38 of The Match
“Hey.”
“Felicia left breakfast at the door.”
“That’s so thoughtful. What time is it?”
“Ten o’clock.”
She gasped, her eyes suddenly wide and alert. “Crap. I need to tell the office that I’m not going in today.”
“Good thinking. I forgot it’s not Saturday. I’ll do the same. Although, I could probably get there in the afternoon.”
She turned around in a half circle to face the bedroom, then turned back to face me and blinked.
“I forgot where my clothes are.”
“You weren’t wearing any pants when I carted you off the couch, so I’m guessing somewhere in here.”
Grace licked her lips and smiled, quickly looking down at her feet. She walked with small steps to the side of the couch, grabbing something from the floor. She dug her hand into her bag, taking out her phone.
“I’ve got six missed calls. I can’t believe this didn’t wake us up.”
“After last night, we certainly needed our rest,” I teased.
She tapped on her phone before setting it on the couch, then glanced at me. “We did, didn’t we? So, what goodies did Felicia prep for us?”
“Lots of things. Have your pick.”
I watched her intently as she came closer, but she didn’t make eye contact. She peeked in the basket, taking out bread and a small jar. “Peach jam. I love this. Haven’t had it in a while. Are there plates anywhere? Oh, wait, Felicia put some in the bottom of the basket.”
We took them out carefully before sitting down.
“Good thinking on her part. Everyone probably eats at the cafeteria, right?” Grace said as she lathered on a lot of butter followed by peach jam.
As she took the first bite, she sighed. “Ah, this is exactly the boost of energy I was hoping for.”
I gave her a half smile. “Why? Do you have a certain activity in mind?”
She instantly blushed. “I wasn’t... That’s not what I...”
I moved closer to her and pushed a strand of hair from her face. “I was teasing you, Grace. You’re tense this morning.”
She licked her lips and then lowered the half-eaten slice of bread to her plate. Her shoulders slumped. “I’m all over theplace this morning. I should’ve showered first. It helps me wake up.”
“You’re adorable with your wild hair and holding that sheet around you as if you’re determined not to let me see anything.”
She tipped her head up to me. “That is kind of the point.”
I raised a brow. “You do remember I already saw everything, right?”
“Oh, you’re being mean to me this morning,” she whispered.
“Not at all my intention.”
“Right... Well, since I’m not going to work today, I could spend some more time with the horses and chat with Felicia and Gaston.” She was mostly talking to herself.
“Do your neurons always fire up so quickly in the morning? Because I’ve got to say, I’m a much simpler creature. The only thought going through my mind is ‘How can I convince you to stay indoors with me?’”
She started to laugh. “That’s the sugar, trust me. Wakes me up fast. I’d love to know what the horses do in the morning.”
