What I want to do is invite him into the bed with me. I want to repeat what we did last night. But I’m not experienced with men.
“Do you have things to do today?” I ask. “I’m sorry I’m ruining your Saturday.”
He shakes his head. “No plans. I’m here for you today, Cassie. Whatever you want to do.”
I glance at the bookcase and the comfy armchairs. “Could we stay here and read?”
A huge grin spreads across his face. “That sounds like the perfect day.”
Paul clears up the dishes and makes us both a pot of coffee. He brings my bags in from the back of his bike, and I pull out my books and my eReader.
“It would have been easier if you’d just bought your eReader.” He indicates the stack of hardcovers I pull out of my bag.
I stare at him in disbelief. “I couldn’t leave these behind! Look how pretty they are, my special edition hardcovers.”
I hold up the three books in the series and show him the pattern they make when all the spines are lined up together.
Specs nods. “I see.” There’s not a hint of sarcasm in his voice; he really does get it. “Let me clear some space for you.”
He takes out some books from his bookshelf. “You’re not getting rid of those, are you?”
Specs looks sheepish. “I’ve got another bookcase in the bedroom. Don’t worry. We’ve got space for books.”
It’s an oddly touching gesture. I slide my hardbacks into the space on the bookshelf and wonder what it would be like to live in a place like this, without the trappings of the huge house. Just books, a fire, chickens, an herb garden—and Specs.
He brings over two mugs of steaming coffee. Then he goes into the bedroom and comes back with a blanket.
But instead of settling with a book, I pull my laptop out of my bag. Being here in this cozy cabin with Paul is inspiring.
Paul raises an eyebrow.
“After the party last night, I was so inspired I started plotting the first book.”
He grins at me. “Cassie, that’s awesome.”
“I’ve never told anyone that’s what I want to do before. You don’t think it’s stupid, do you?”
He cups my cheek in his hand. “I think it would be stupid not to follow your dreams. Write the book, Cassie. I believe in you.”
9
CASSIE
Ihave written the first chapter of a book! I'm so freaking proud of myself. I can't stop the grin that’s plastered on my face.
I look up from my laptop, and the light has faded outside. At some point in the afternoon, Paul put the fire on, and the entire cabin is lit up with a warm glow. He's back in the kitchen, humming as he makes dinner. He's been back and forth getting herbs from his garden, and the smells coming from the kitchen are delicious.
I put my laptop on the coffee table and stretch. I can't believe I've written the first few scenes of a book. It's a mess. It needs heavy editing, and I'm not quite sure if the hero’s going to be blue or have a green tinge to his scaly skin. But I've done it. The first chapter is written.
"Can I help with anything?"
Paul looks up as I come into the kitchen. “Nah, I'm good. You just keep writing.”
I take a seat on the counter and watch him expertly dice up onions with a sharp knife. "I wrote the first chapter.”
“Oh yeah?" His grin is as wide as mine. "That's great, Cassie."
"I just need to figure out how he gets her off Earth and to his planet.”
