Out on the sidewalk, Gretchen swats my ass and laughs. “You’re such a caveman.”
“We have less than twenty-four hours, baby.”
“We’ll get there faster if you let me down.”
I ease her to her feet, take her by the hand, and roll her suitcase behind me with my free hand as we begin the two-block jog to my apartment.
“I feel bad I didn’t get you a present,” she spits out through sharp breaths but never breaks her stride.
“Don’t need one. You’re here. That’s all I want.”
We slow to a walk as we approach my building. “Actually, I did get you one thing, but it’s not much of anything.”
“Oh yeah,” I answer absently, but try to show interest—her being here is truly all I could ever want.
A couple minutes later, we stumble into my apartment, a passionate storm of hands and lips. “You ready for your present?” She smiles as I kick the door shut behind me.
The shy turn of her face has a glint of mischief that looks like trouble.
She prowls backward past my empty living room. “I went to the doctor last week.” Strands of hair fall haphazardly around her shoulders as she peels her shirt over her head. “A regular check-up, no big deal.” I suck in a breath as she removes her bra, nothing but a pair of skintight jeans adorning her body—I’ve missed her so much.
I stalk toward her with the same slow gait she’s using to lure me toward the bedroom. “What’d you get me, Fish?”
With a wink, she pushes her jeans down her legs. “I got an IUD.”
We don’t leave the apartment until I drive her to the airport a day later.
October
Gretchen
Living alone sucks.
Me
Facts.
Gretchen
Are you dressing up for Halloween?
Me
I think I’d make a good Ebenezer Scrooge.
Gretchen
Ahh yes. Old, cranky, full of regret. This tracks.
Me
I thought so. What about you?
Gretchen
Willy Wonka. I think the kids will love it.
Me
