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It’s only been ten minutes, and I already miss her. How had she become such a big part of me in such a short amount of time? And how in the hell am I supposed to forget about her? Before Hannah’s wedding, I was certain I’d never find a woman to hold my attention. And then Abigail caught my eye. One taste and I was hooked. She ruined me for every other woman because she’s so goddamn perfect. Now nothing less than her will ever do.
The sound of a car door slamming shut snaps me out my funk.
“Please, Lord, don’t let my neighbors throw another party tonight,” I mutter.
My patience is wearing thin. I’m exhausted, irritated, and a little heartbroken. If they start blaring their music again, I just might snap.
I grab my stethoscope and drape it around my neck, then slide out of my car. Rather than going in through the garage, I head to the front so I can grab my mail.
“I lied.”
I stop mid-step at the sound of Abigail’s voice, but I don’t turn around. I can’t look at her or I’ll cave, and she needs to try a little harder.
“I want you, Drake Merritt. I don’t need to think about it.”
I take a deep breath, gathering all of the strength and willpower I have. “Go home, Abigail.” I proceed to the front porch, where I open my mailbox and pull out a stack of mail.
“No. You might be read
y to give up, but I’m not. If you’re not ready to fight for us, that’s okay. I’ve got enough strength for both of us, and you’re not going to walk away from me.”
I hear her shoes crunch against what’s left of the snow, and this time when she speaks, her voice is much closer.
“You asked me if I was going back to Texas, and the answer is no. And I don’t need time to think about it or process things. I just need you, Drake.”
“Abigail…” I stick my key in the lock and push open the front door. “I can’t do this with you right now.”
“You were right. I’m a coward,” she says. Her voice is shaky and desperate, and it pulls at something inside of me.
I turn around.
“I’m uptight, and I’m a coward, but I’m also determined.” Tears fill her eyes, and she takes a hesitant step forward. “And I’m going to fight for you, Drake. I’m going to fight for you, and then I’m going to move in with you like you wanted, and then I’m going to organize the hell out of your kitchen…” She takes a shuddery breath before continuing. “And laundry room and bathroom and probably your bedroom too.”
Her words cause the tiniest crack in the armor I’ve put up around my heart. And I think she can see it, because she takes another step forward. “I’ll set two alarms every night so we both get up on time, and I’ll check those alarms a million times until I get settled in.”
Fuck, that’s what I want. That’s what I’ve always wanted.
“Abigail—”
“I’ll check the refrigerator at least twice every time I shut it.”
This time, I take a step toward Abigail, and her eyes widen.
“I like it when you check the refrigerator,” I tell her. “I think it’s cute.”
Her smile almost brings me to my knees.
“I’ll touch the outlet every time I unplug something, no matter what it is.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Sometimes when I get nervous, I count my steps, or tiles on the ceiling, or cracks in the floor—whatever I can find. It’ll get annoying.”
“Numbers are my thing.”
She tilts her head. “I thought biology was your thing?”
“Biology, numbers, and you. You’re my thing.”
