Lainey: What’s that, Remington?
Jesus, I loved that she full-names me all the time. Nobody does that. Everyone’s called me Rem, even my family, fromthe time I was young. But hearing Lainey use my full name, in text or in person, makes my body spark. I think her doing that just unlocked a new kink I never knew I had, because she is the only one that has held that particular key.
Remington: I should have kissed you good night.
Nothing. Silence.
No dots bouncing along my screen. Nothing.
Fuck.
Minutes drag out.
And then . . .
Lainey: You’re right, you should have.
Holy.
Shit.
12
Lainey
Ican’t believe I just said that, but it was the truth. Remingtonshouldhave kissed me. I wanted him to kiss me. At least we are on the same page. Now I know for sure that I am not alone in my feelings, and I am not crazy thinking I am being burned alive by our chemistry with no way to control it. We are both being consumed just as quickly by whatever is happening between us.
I love the flexibility of working from home. Thankfully, this afternoon is a conference call that I have to phone in for, no video. I can listen to it while I bake. It is only a monthly meeting that I don’t contribute much to. Lots of listening, and “uh-huhs,” “I understands,” and “yes, sir, I will get that going,” followed by more listening. Very boring, very time consuming, and my least favorite meeting of the month. So having this distraction to keep me busy will help pass the time. I usually try a new cookie recipe or make myself my perfected apple pie.
When I first moved in here and tried to make a pie, I burned it to an inedible crisp and I cried. Me a few years ago would have just given up and never baked anything everagain, but my therapist encouraged me to keep going until I mastered at least one recipe. One thing that was hard for me that I was not allowed to try making with my mom growing up, that I would have loved to have done, was pie. So I tried again, and again, and again. I feel bad for all the apples, sugar, and crust that I sacrificed in the process of my healing. However, in the end it was worth it, because now I can confidently say I make an amazing apple pie that I am proud of. And I happen to know a man who loves apples.
Remington is working today, a twenty-four-hour shift, but I would really like to see him again. The fire station has long, demanding hours, and I know that Remington doesn’t just cover fires. He is fully qualified as an EMT as well. They get called out to all types of accidents and emergencies. He works really hard, gives so much of himself to everyone. That makes me think of a plan to surprise him after I am done with my work. I had exactly enough time to run to the grocery store to get my weekly shopping done and the pie ingredients I needed before I got back to my apartment for the afternoon meeting. Plus, I really hope that it will make Remington smile. He went out of his way to make our date special and thoughtful. He also puts so much effort into his flowers for me, and don’t even get me started on the journal.
My phone dings as I am pulling into the Fox Hollow apartment complex. I look down and smile to see the man that consumes my thoughts has finally responded to my last text about kissing me. I was really starting to worry I had been too forward.
Remington: I promise, Lainey, I won’t be making that same mistake twice.
Remington: I have been beating myself up for not kissing you fromthe minute I walked away.
I feel my cheeks heat, and those wild butterflies come back in full force. I am not sure if I want to laugh with giddy excitement or sob with relief.
Lainey: Please don’t hurt that handsome face. I don’t want our first kiss to be me kissing it better.
Remington: I will try and stay injury-free until I see you again.
Only punching the heavy bag today.
Lainey: Promise?
Remington: Pinky
Lainey: Are you allowed to have visitors at the fire station?
Remington: Yeah, we have family and friends pop in all the time when we are on shift.
Lainey: Would it be okay if I came up to see you after I get done with work?
Lainey: I have something I want to drop off for you.
