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Raf
Always
We settled on a time, and he said he’d make the appointments. As I put my phone back down on the nightstand, I was forced to admit a bitter, bitter truth.
I missed sleeping next to Rafael.
Touringthe houses the next morning was surreal. I knew I wanted the second one the moment we walked into it, but had to make sure before I committed.
After we saw the last one with the realtor, Raf told him to make an offer on the one I’d loved the most.
Then, we were back in the coffee shop, working on candy.
Christmas was only two weeks away, so the orders at the shop were growing larger and more frequent, which meant more time spent in the kitchen.
And the kitchen atCoffee & Toffeeno longer felt adequate, after working in the spacious, quiet peace of mine and Raf’s old apartment.
But, with the holiday around the corner, the house’s seller had agreed to a quick closing. We’d get the keys as soon as they were done with the paperwork—which, according to Rafael, would be very soon.
The next few days passed quickly. I loved Miley and Brynn, but both of them seemed distant. Brynn was exhausted from being followed around by her brother all the time, and Miles was still trying to wrap her head around everything.
We all laughed about every new bouquet of flowers Rafael left at our door, though, usually one in the morning and one at night. The apartment was flooded with red roses, and all of them had a funny handwritten note attached.
I miss watching you detangle your hair with that adorable little annoyed expression.
Your ass looks awesome through the wall between us.
I don’t have anything on beneath my joggers right now ;)
You make me happy. And horny.
I miss watching movies with your legs sprawled over my lap, and your sarcastic commentary.
That freckle on your thigh is begging to be licked again.
I miss being strangled by your hair while we sleep.
My smile grew sadder—and my remaining distrust grew smaller—with each day we spent together and each silly note.
I wokeup a week before Christmas with a massive to-do list, and an even bigger headache.
My stomach hurt.
My chest hurt.
My head felt like someone had driven a nail into it.
And holy hell, I wasangry. I couldn’t even say why, I just was.
I stumbled into the bathroom, and scowled at my appearance.
My eyes were red. Of course the damn things were red. I should’ve seen that coming.
My anger, though definitely still there, faded slightly.
I had been avoiding the truth for a week at that point, and there was no more running from it.
I could tell Miley needed space from both of us.
