AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I mean, I’m probably not going to be picking anyone up anytime soon because it would be a little weird if you bumped into her and I had to introduce you as my best friend and wife.”
“Fake wife, but I’m not sure if that would make a whole lot of sense to anyone but us,” I said. Hell, it didn’t make sense to me and I was living it.
She lapsed into silence and I could tell that she was working something through in her mind, but she didn’t want to say it out loud yet. I waited until I couldn’t take the suspense anymore.
“Something else on your mind, Em?” Sometimes getting at what was really bothering her out was like trying to reach a grape that had rolled under the fridge.
“Nothing,” she said, putting the pillow back and getting up. I definitely wasn’t still thinking about that cheek kiss from earlier and if she was going to do it again when she said goodnight. Not at all.
“Okay. Um, goodnight? Unless you want to snuggle a little.” I moved over and held the blanket up so she could climb in with me.
“No, that’s okay. I should get back to my own bed,” she said. I didn’t know why that was so disappointing, but it was. Almost as if I’d been rejected, but that was silly. She was going to bed, like I should be doing. What did I expect, that she was going to climb in and sleep the whole night with me?
“Goodnight, again,” she said, backing out of the room and giving me a little wave. No second kiss for me then.
“Goodnight,” I said, as she shut the door. “I wish I had a puppy.”
“What?” she said, opening the door again. I guess she’d heard me.
“Nothing, goodnight.” She gave me a look, but I waved her off. “Going to sleep now.”
“Me too.” The door closed and I lay back and stared at the ceiling for a moment.
My cheek still tingled from where her lips had touched it.
I didn’t get much sleep, but I woke up in a great mood because I was going to spend the day with Emma, my favorite person. I also awoke to the smell of bacon, which was the best way to wake up, in my opinion.
I stretched and opened my eyes to an unfamiliar room. For a moment, I had forgotten that I lived with Emma.
Yawning, I headed out and found her in the kitchen standing over a pan of bacon, dancing to Dolly Parton. What was a girl to do but grab a spatula and sing into it like a mic with her? She burst out laughing, and I jumped away from the bacon pan so I didn’t get splattered by hot grease.
“Good morning to you too,” she said, tipping the bacon onto a plate that was covered in a paper towel. “I’ve got bacon and biscuits with eggs and cheese if you want. Oh, and there’s strawberries.” I had definitely leveled up my breakfasts since moving here. “My bacon,” she said in that creepy voice, and I shuddered.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, brushing her shoulder with my hand and then backing off when she jumped and turned the music down so we could hear each other. Emma moved away from me and started getting out silverware.
“I love making breakfast on the weekends. During the week it’s toast and coffee, but weekends are made for elaborate breakfasts, in my opinion.” I couldn’t argue with her there. Plus, I got to eat said breakfast.
Emma loaded up our plates and we sat on stools at the kitchen island.
“It’s so quiet here,” I said. Even the noise from the street was peaceful, unlike at my old apartment, which was on a main street and only a block away from both a hospital and a fire station. Sirens, all the freaking time. I’d never gotten used to the wailing at all hours of the day and night.
Emma set her fork down and sipped at her orange juice. “I’m glad you like it, and I’m glad you’re here. I keep forgetting that I don’t live alone anymore.” I couldn’t remember ever living alone. I’d been surrounded by family or roommates my whole life. I’d probably start talking to the walls or something if I was alone that much.
“Can’t relate, but it sounds nice.”
“It was, but it got pretty lonely sometimes. I thought about getting a cat or something, but I’d have to get one of those hairless ones and they’re so ugly.” I gasped and dropped my fork dramatically.
“Excuse me, hairless cats are the ugliest little cute things in the world. Let’s get a hairless cat!” I clasped my hands in a begging posture. I had never wanted a hairless cat before this moment but now I wanted one more than anything. Impulsive Callyn strikes again.
Emma made a face. “Ew, no. You may think they’re cute, but I will never come around to them. We might look at a different kind of pet, though. Do you want to get a pet? You mentioned something about it last night.” Yeah, she definitely heard me.
I stood up so fast that I knocked the stool over in my excitement. “Um, yes? Having a pet would make my life a hundred percent less sucky.” Emma laughed and munched on her bacon daintily. I’d eaten mine first because it was the best part of breakfast. Plus, Emma always got the good bacon. Thick-cut, with plenty of spice.
Emma rolled her eyes. “That seems like an exaggeration, but if you want to look at the shelter, we can. I don’t think we should get anything with scales, or that requires a heat lamp. I also don’t like the idea of having to feed something mice.” I agreed with that.
“Can we get a puppy? You know I’ve always wanted a dog.” My parents would never let me have one because I wouldn’t be “responsible” enough to take care of it. My older sister got a fucking horse for her birthday. Granted, it was a rental horse, but still. They always said they loved us the same, but then they would do shit like that and make it pretty obvious they were liars.
Emma pinched the bottom corner of her lip between her teeth. That meant I was wearing her down. “I don’t know, Cal. That seems like a lot. Are you up for puppy training? I’m going to be in school a lot and if you get a new job . . .” she trailed off when she saw the pout on my face.
