65
Chris
The smell of coffee fills my nostrils, waking me gently from my sleep. I open my eyes to find a mug waving under my nose, and look up to see Ryan O’Connor’s heart-wrenching smile. I think this is the best wake-up call I’ve ever had.
“Good morning,” he says, pushing the cup towards my face. “Coffee?”
I lift myself up and lean my back against the pillows.
“You do know how to make a woman happy.”
He laughs, showing off a row of perfectly pearly white teeth.
I take the mug from him and take a few sips.
“What time is it?”
“Half past nine.”
“Oh God,” I say, jumping up, almost throwing coffee all over myself. “Evan has school…”
“All good. I took care of it.”
I look at him, confused.
“I made him breakfast, took him to school and gave him some money for lunch.”
“You?”
He shrugs.
Okay. I didn’t want to have this conversation first thing in the morning, without any caffeine in my system, but I need to set something straight. Right now.
“Look, I really appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I just don’t think it’s…right.”
“What am I trying to do?”
“I don’t know, to redeem yourself, make up for everything…”
“No, Christine. I’m not trying to make up for anything. I’m trying to start something.”
“Something…?”
“I don’t know what to call it. I don’t really want to give it a name yet.”
“Maybe you should, though.”
“Can’t you just accept it for what it is?”
“Not unless I know what I’m signing up to.”
“You’re a difficult woman, Christine Morgan.”
“You’re not exactly a walk in the park yourself.”
“I imagine you’re right.”
“I’m always right.”
