AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re going out for ice cream.” I was already out of the bathroom and into my walk-in closet. I managed to slip on my boxers and some athletic shorts. After I reached for a T-shirt, I realized I would need a little help getting into it.
When I exited my walk-in closet, she reached for the T-shirt in my hand before I got a chance to ask her. Automatically, as though we were a domesticated couple who had lived together for years, I bent down, so she could slip the shirt over my head and carefully—and not without effort—get my arms through the holes.
“Let me thank you by at least getting you ice cream.”
I could read the indecision in her hazel eyes. I wasn’t ready to let her go.
“Well, I’m getting ice cream,” I said, making the decision for the both of us.
“Where?”
“Downstairs.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “You’re going to go downstairs because you’re all over social media right now? You’re such a scaredy cat.”
“Hey!” I gave her a mock offended face. “Don’t knock me. It’s easy for you to talk since you’ve never had a stalker tail you.”
She laughed, most likely at the look I was throwing her, but it was good to see the sadness in her eyes fade away.
“True.” She squinted up at me, debating something in her head before tipping her chin once. “I’ll get it. You’re crippled right now, and I wouldn’t want you falling or having to outrun a stalker.” Humor danced in her eyes, and it drew me closer.
“No deal. You sit. You’ve done enough. I’ll have Uber Eats deliver it.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s what lazy people do, Austin.”
She was cute—I’d give her that.
“That’s what people who can afford such things do.” I pointed to the couch. “Ass down on the couch.”
I shifted in my spot because my mind went to the gutter again—picturing Sydney’s ass up in the air, my hands on her hips.
I turned without giving her a second glance and walked out of my bedroom to the kitchen, making it to the center island to grab my phone.
* * *
Thirty minutes later, we were in my bed, ice cream in our laps, watching television. We could have easily been on my couch, but the remote for the TV in the main room was missing.
The truth was, I was enjoying Sydney’s company way more than I should’ve been. In a way I could really get used to this. I had to be careful.
We were watching a comedy on the flat screen, where the mother-in-law was insane. I forgot the name, but it didn’t matter. Anything could have been playing. I wasn’t watching the TV. I was being entertained by the petite woman beside me, who was laughing uncontrollably. After seeing her so sad today, hearing her laugh was like a symphony to my ears. From the small amount of time I’d spent with her over the years, it seemed like she didn’t laugh much, and I fucking loved the sound of it, full and hearty for such a small individual.
And when she fell into a full-on fit, a snort would come out. It was so fucking adorable; it was hard not to drag her up next to me and snuggle with her in my bed.
“His mother is a terror.” She swiped at her eyes, wiping away the tears of laughter, and then she stuck her spoon back into the almost-empty cookie dough ice cream.
Another thing I noted about her: she had a sweet tooth.
I’d bought two pints of Ben & Jerry’s, and we’d finished the first one together, splitting it evenly into two bowls. And she’d helped herself to the second one and put some in my bowl, sticking the rest in the fridge, only to get the pint back out a half hour later and bring it back to my bed.
I should have told her I didn’t like anyone eating in my bed. I never ate in my own damn bed.
I also should have told her that no other woman had been in this bed before, but then she’d think I was flirting.
“OMG. She’s horrid. Right?” She stuck her spoon back into the carton, scraping the edges.
There was nothing left. Not that I could tell.
“I imagine that’s how my mother’s going to be if I ever get married,” I said.
