Page 91 of The Apparent Trap

And today, for the first time in a long time, I let myself feel that completely.

Chapter 30

Georgia: Did it work?

Ezzie: What’s the “it” in this sentence? Your plans?

Georgia: His dick?

Ezzie: . . .

Ezzie: That’s absolutely not what you were asking.

Georgia: If you know so much why are you asking for clarification?

Ezzie: Cute.

Georgia: You’re cute.

Georgia: Having a man who’s obsessed with you is cute.

Georgia: Being so sappily into someone and then having them declare their love for you on live television is cuuuuuute.

Ezzie: Let’s not go that far

Georgia: I’m already out so far.

Ezzie: Am I going to see you at the studio in like half an hour? Or does Carmen have her job back?

Georgia: Oh obviously I’m not coming to work today. Between Christmas and New Years? Never. Only for secret plots to get men to declare their love for my best friend. Nothing else.

Ezzie: Stop saying love.

Georgia: Nah

“What’s so funny?” Lee’s standing in front of me wearing only boxers, and it’s a glorious sight. His hair is mussed, flattened on one side from sleep. He’s rubbing his eyes to wake himself up, even though he’s already out of bed.

“Georgia’s gloating.”

His dimples are out in full force now. Happiness looks so good on him. He comes over and kisses the top of my head before sitting in the chair next to me, pulling it closer so our legs are touching.

“Well, she should be,” he finally says, grabbing my cup and taking a sip of my coffee.

“Hey!” I bat him away. “Do you think sleeping over means you’re allowed to pilfer my beverages?”

He kisses me, quick and coffee-infused. “I think yes, among many, many things. I do like waking up here. Although that could’ve been improved dramatically if you were still in the bed.”

“I think you had plenty of time with me in bed.”

Mischief mixes into his smile.

Yesterday feels like a fever dream. We spent the whole day inside, tangled up in each other, never leaving the confines of my room. We ordered food in. We watched movies in bed. We made up for lost time, exploring each other’s bodies, like choosing to sample every flavor in an ice cream shop.

I’m very well versed in all his tattoos at this point.

“I have to go to work,” I say, standing up.

“Can I pick you up after?”