Ember blushes, because she’s still technically just my girlfriend. If I’m being honest though,girlfriendjust doesn’t feel like the right word for what she is to me.
We head back to Ember’s house. We’ve been slowly packing up both her house and mine to get ready to move into our new home. My place was a rental, so it was easy to let go of, but we still have to make some minor repairs to Ember’s house to list it.
“I have to meet with Mrs. Phelps this afternoon to talk about the bookstore,” Ember reminds me again. I don’t know why men get so frustrated when their wives constantly remind them of things, because I forget everything and appreciate the reminder.
“Shit, that’s right, what time?” I ask her.
“In about half an hour,” she tells me from the passenger seat, where she sits, doom scrolling.
“Do you want me to take you, or do you want to go by yourself?” I ask her. She’s been out a couple of times by herself, but the first time she went out herself after the attack, she had a panic attack and I drove to her and brought her home.
“It’s okay, I can go by myself,” she tells me sweetly, resting her left hand on the back of my head, stroking my hair.
We arrive at home, finding Maggie sitting in the window, waiting for us to come in and grace her with pets. I was never an animal person before, but that dang thing sure is winning my heart. At night, I look for her before bed, and she sleeps at my feet. Ember hates that her baby is switching teams on her, and I can’t help but laugh every time I catchEmber mean mugging her own cat because she wants to cuddle me more.
Ember races through the door, down the hall, and into the bathroom. I plop onto the couch, giving the illusion that I’ll be home while she’s out taking care of business this afternoon. Ember emerges from the bathroom, zipping her pants.
“You think we’ve got time for a quickie?” I ask, teasing her.
“You think you can come in five minutes?” she asks, seductively running a finger down my chest and straddling me.
“With you? Make it two.” I pull her face down and kiss her lips, taking her bottom lip between my teeth. I feel her pull back, and she’s got a malicious grin spread across her face.
She “dismounts” me, and I wipe my hand down my face, trying to be cool. Ember keeps me on my toes, and I love every bit of it. She has mastered the perfect amount of teasing, and stops right before she knows there is no turning back.
“I’ve got to go, babe,” she says, walking into the kitchen, and I hear the sink turn on. She yells out, “But maybe afterwards, we can go grab dinner, or run to the store and grab something to cook at home?”
“Sounds good, princess. Just let me know when you’re headed home.” I stand as she walks into the living room, and I bend to plant my lips on hers, holding her head in place. She lets out a soft sigh, and something in my chest twitches. Utter joy stays in my chest when I’m with her.
“I love you,” she says before one more quick kiss, and then she heads for the door.
“I love you too, Ember,” I tell her, and she smiles and heads out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
Once I’ve watched her pull out of the driveway and head off down the road, I pull out my phone, dialing the number that called earlier while we were touring the house with the Maitlands.
“Hello, this is Amanda at Mud & Moss, how can I help you?” a cheery voice greets me on the other end of the line.
“Yes, my name is Harley Blackwood, and I got a call that my order was ready,” I relay the message left on my voicemail.
“Oh! Yes! Mr. Blackwood, we have your order completed, and you are more than welcome to come in and pick it up any time,” she responds quickly, happiness bursting from her voice alone.
“Am I able to come look it over, get some photos, and then take it home another day? I don’t want anyone snooping and finding it.” I laugh. I don’t foresee Ember snooping, and she has no clue about this anyway, but since we’re both packing up each other’s houses, sometimes together and sometimes by ourselves, I don’t want to leave any chance of her finding it.
“Absolutely, Mr. Blackwood! Come on in any time,” Amanda tells me.
“I’m going to head over now, since I have time,” I tell her before we hang up, and I head out the door.
Twenty-five minutes later, I pull into the parking space in front of Mud & Moss. It’s just like any other small-town Main Street storefront. It doesn’t look too busy, and that makes me happy. Less evidence.
I pull the door open and am greeted with low-hanging bulb lights that you’d see in someone’s backyard. The walls are red brick, much like the brick on the house we’re moving into. Mud & Moss is painted in white letters across the back wall, where the customer service counter is stationed. I walk to the back of the store and see a woman with straight blonde hair helping another customer. While I wait myturn, I see all of the beautiful pieces on display. The artist is insanely talented, which is exactly why I came here.
Once it’s my turn, I step up to the counter, resting my hands on the wooden top. “Hi, I’m Harley Blackwood,” I tell her, and her eyes light up.
“Mr. Blackwood! Let me grab Mr. Moss and your order,” she tells me before turning away to the back room. I turn and rest my hips against the counter, expecting a few minutes to pass.
“Harley! Good to see you, boy.” He comes around the counter and gives me a big hug. “You seen my boy lately?” he asks with an old, wrinkly smile.
“Chase is going to be by later this week to help us move to our new house, actually,” I tell Chase’s father.
