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Even as I slide my hand between her legs and stroke her to orgasm, I feel her affection more than I feel her desire.
And I crave every fucking drop of it.
27
Mal
I fall asleep with Lacey in my arms and I wake rested.
I'm as close to happy as I can be right now.
It's more terrifying in the light of morning, but I can't bring myself to question it. Everything is already heavy and messy. I can't take more.
I brush my teeth and dress in last night's clothes.
Lacey stirs. She stretches her arms over her head as she yawns. Her brown eyes fix on me. Her lips curl into a smile. "It's been a long time since I've had a guy at my place."
"Didn't you live with your ex for years?"
She nods. "That was our place."
"Still…"
"I've got it on the technicality." She pushes herself out of bed. "You look good in that suit, even with the shirt a little wrinkled."
"Is it a suit without a jacket?"
"You're asking the filmmaker about suits?"
"As opposed to the rock star."
"Okay, fair." She tilts her head as she gives me a long once-over. "You have to go?"
"Soon."
Something fills her eyes—something I can't place. "Can I buy you breakfast first?"
"You're buying me breakfast?"
"As long as it won't make you feel cheap." She presses her lips into a smile, but there's something missing. Last night is hanging heavy over both of us.
"Depends where we're going."
"Shit. There go my plans of drive-through egg sandwiches." She takes a step towards the bathroom. "I know a good place. Give me ten minutes."
Even though I should get home, I nod.
She smiles and my shoulders relax. I don't want to be home. The truth is, the place in Huntington Beach doesn't feel like home anymore. Not with my parents in it. Not without Piper and Ethan.
Not with this hanging over everything.
I find my cell—it skidded to the spot under Lacey's desk last night—and boot it up. There's nothing from Mom and Dad. That shouldn't surprise me. That shouldn't sting.
But it does.
I have a few texts from Piper and Ethan.
Piper: I'm sorry about last night. You're not a fool, Mal. I hate seeing Mom and Dad put your heart in a blender every time they visit, but you aren't a fool for caring. It's sweet. But you should know, I don't need Mom and Dad here for us to be a family.
