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“I’m fine. A little dizzy and sleepy.” I walk to my office and grab my computer and the planner that holds all pertinent information for the week.
“Those allergy pills can do that to you. I should have warned you.” Cara smiles at me.
“Allergy pills?” Joe sounds surprised.
“Turns out I’m allergic to cats.” I wave in the direction of Spike. Sound asleep, he looks kind of adorable.
“Why didn’t you say something? I could have called a—”
“I didn’t know until our ride this morning. And I’m already medicated, so we’re good to go. Just don’t bring him to my place, and we’ll be fine.” I’m too tired to get into an argument and walk back to my car, only realizing when I get there that Joe still has the keys.
Thankfully, he’s right behind me, and a few minutes later, we’re home.
“Any allergic reactions?” Joe asks, holding the box as far away from me as possible as we walk up to our apartments.
“No, I’m fine. I think I might take a nap though. Wanna catch up later?”
“Hold on a second, and I’ll walk you in.” Joe dashes into his place to drop off the sleeping Spike and walks me down to my door.
“I’m fine, I promise.” I unlock my door, no longer trying to hide the yawns.
“Call me if you need anything.” Joe looks like he’d like to walk inside and tuck me in.
“I will.” I’m standing in the door, looking into those beautiful eyes of his. They draw me in, and before I realize what I’m doing, I take a step and rise on my toes. My lips brush across his, my free hand wrapping around his neck, pulling him closer.
He doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t pull away. He kisses me back, and it feels like coming home. His lips are firm, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer as he deepens the kiss.
Images of us kissing under the bleachers, out by the lake, and in that red Mustang of his flash through my mind. I miss this. I miss us.
“Sorry.” I take a step back when we finally come up for air.
“What for?”
“I shouldn’t have done that.” Turning, I step inside and shut the door behind me. I fall into bed before my intoxicated brain can let me do something foolish like ask him to come in and stay until I am asleep. Once upon a time, he would have insisted on that if he knew I wasn’t feeling well. But that wasn’t how things were anymore. I sigh, and my eyes drift shut the moment my head hits the pillow, dreaming of who we used to be and who we could have been.
14
JOE
“That was something else,” I say when I walk back into my place.
Spike looks up at me and meows.
“I kissed her. Technically, she started it. Point is, we kissed.”
“Meow.” He sits on his hind legs, staring up at me with his green eyes.
“It was nice. Better than nice, actually. I miss her.” I lock the door behind me and walk into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of cold water. With ice. I need it after that kiss.
Spike trails in behind me and weaves around my legs, rubbing his head on my pants.
“I don’t think I realized how much I miss spending time with her. We were good together.” And I’d left it all behind for a chance to make it big. I’d done well for myself in California.
Spike keeps weaving around my legs, meowing and finally raising and stretching my pant leg.
“What do you need, buddy?” I ask, looking down at the little guy.
He runs off and sits in front of his empty food bowl.
