I love this. For the first time in my life, I felt cherished. The last several weeks had been a whirlwind of activity. Work had picked up for both of us, so we took advantage of every free moment. Spencer had spoiled me with dates and weekend getaways. But my favorite times with him were the quiet nights we spent at his place, wrapped up in each other, reminiscing about the good times and sharing our hopes for the future.
He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “Mostly.”
Perching myself up on my elbow, I asked, “What’s number one?”
“That’s easy. I put you to work so you could get that money.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. “You definitely did that.”
Even before the New Year, he’d lined up several projects, and he hadn’t stopped sending them. In fact, we were currently in Wellspring, Michigan, trying to close a deal on a new property. And I would continue working my ass off to ensure we both increased our bottom line. Not just because of the money, but because I believed in his mission.
“My list is basically a response to yours,” he explained. “Help with the purge, provide the drink and the edible. Which you fucked up.”
My head fell against his chest as my cheeks burned with embarrassment. I hadn’t been able to live that down. Des brought it up often. “Can we please forget that happened? My nose is back on my face, and everything is its regular size. It’s behind me. Finally.” I cuddled into him, humming when he wrapped his arms around me. “Next.”
“I’m your nigga.”
I snorted, bursting out in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, until tears of mirth spilled down my cheeks. “I still can’t believe it wrote that down.”
He cracked up, rubbing my face. “Honestly, I can’t believe it either.”
“I wish I could’ve saw your face when you read it.”
The rumble of his laughter made me feel centered, content. I loved to hear him laugh. He had a good one. “The best thing about that list was that it shifted my perspective.”
“About me?”
Spence smoothed his hand down my back, cupping my ass with his palm and pulling me closer. “Aboutus. Possibilities.”
I sighed, hooking my leg over his hip. “I like that. Must’ve been destiny.”
“And vibes. Because we always had the vibes.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “That’s facts. Is that it?”
“There was one additional item.”
“Tell me.”
“Not now.”
I peered up at him. “Is it bad?”
“Nah, but it’s not the right time.”
“Uh oh,” I grumbled. “That sounds scary.”
“Don’t be scared, Laiya,” he assured. “You’ll know soon enough.”
We lay there in silence for a few moments as the haze of desire, the ease of our conversation morphed into something else. Fear. It wasn’t a new emotion. It had crept in often, usually when I felt happy, safe. Like the bottom would fall out and I would be left careening into a dark abyss. Yes, my imagination has always been a little dark.
“Spencer?” I called.
He kissed the top of my head. “Yes.”
“Do you think this is too fast?”
Pulling back, he searched my eyes. “Why? Do you have any regrets?”
