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“Thanks, guys.” I felt the threat of tears coming. My grandparents were my best friends. My avid supporters. They were the people I knew I could always count on when shit hit the fan, or whenever I needed some advice . . . or a kick in the ass. And looking at them now, united as a team, they reminded me that a partnership was what I was missing. Leaving them would be much, much harder this time around.
Michael
Thursday morning, and it wasearly as fuck. Again. The sun was rising. I could tell from the bright light glowing around the edges of the curtains. Why couldn’t these tin boxes come with blackout curtains? Who the hell wanted to be woken up by bright-ass morning sunlight?
I sat up, the covers dropping to my lap. I was naked underneath, as usual. I rubbed my face and felt the hint of my beard coming back in. I liked not shaving every once in a while. Having to do it every damn day was a chore. Some men liked it. I was not “some” men. I liked having the freedom of letting the stubble do its thing. Out here, I had the luxury of not going into the office every day so I could relax on the grooming.
I checked the time. It was early, but not too early. I didn’t know what kind of response I’d get, but decided to chance it.
Hey, you up?I texted.
I knew she’d be up. She was an early riser, just like me. But unlike me, she probably relished waking up at the ass crack of dawn. Texting her first thing in the morning might make her kind of grouchy. Good. The idea made me laugh out loud.
Part of me was just messing with her, pushing her buttons, and trying to get a reaction. Harmless flirting to see just what made Siena Moretti tick. Another part of me wanted to know how she’d react to me contacting her first thing in the morning.
I checked my phone. No response yet. I sent another one,I know you’re awake!!! Get up!I could picture her cursing my name. Something about that image made me smile. I fluffed the pillows and sat back as my phone vibrated on the bed.
Siena: Ugh! Yeah. I’m awake!
Me: You wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, Sunshine?
Siena: No. Just laying here . . . hating tequila.
Me: Ah. Fun times last night? Do tell.
Siena: What do you want? You’re annoying me! I’m trying to sleep.
Me: Poor baby. Wanna go for a run?
Siena: Not really.
Me: Too bad. Join me anyway.
Siena: I’m hungover.
Me: And? Lame excuse. Put your big girl panties on. Or don’t . . .
I waited, thinking about her without underwear on.
She knew a hangover was a weak-ass excuse, the same as I did. I was ready with another comeback just in case. I knew which levers to pull to get her to react the way I wanted. This knowledge made me want her even more. I itched to see her any way I could.
A friendly morning run was as good a reason as any. And I was hoping the panties comment intrigued her enough to make her want me. Or at least want to run with me. I didn’t want to wait to see her and couldn’t wait until Friday.
Me: Get your ass up, or I’ll come over there and drag you out of bed. LOL
I laughed to myself when she replied with an eyeroll emoji.
Me: I’ll be there in five minutes, Ms. Moretti.
Siena: All right, all right. Fucker!
Me: I’ll meet you at your place.
I whistled a tune as I grabbed some waters on my way out the door. It was a quick drive to the Moretti house. I did some light stretching as I waited for the girl with the almond eyes. For some reason, I pictured her bouncing out of the door, a cheerful smile on her face.
Instead, she emerged, scowling, eyes narrowed as she zipped her jacket. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, Blaire.” Siena was apparently not as chipper in the morning as I pictured her to be.
“Eh.” I shrugged her off as I passed her a water. “You were up anyway.”
