I awakethe next morning with my mouth watering, likely due to the heavenly scent of eggs and bacon coming from the kitchen. My eyes creep open and I scan the room, assessing my surroundings. The bed beside me is empty and the luxuriously soft sheets are tangled around my bare legs. I stretch out, my muscles delightfully sore from the night before.
I hadn’t meant to sleep the entire night away, but Theo apparently wore me out both physically and mentally. The kind of tiredness that comes after you’ve been thoroughly, completely ruined in the best way.
Still naked, I climb from the bed and make my way to his closet, stealing one of his T-shirts from a high shelf. It’s huge on me, hanging to my mid-thigh and the fabric is soft as itwhispers over my skin. It smells faintly of him and I find myself wanting to breathe it in.
In the bathroom, I rinse my mouth with his mouthwash and attempt to smooth down my hair as best I can. It’s hopeless, though. My curls are wild from sleep. I look like a hot mess, but I do my best. If he can’t handle me like this, he doesn’t deserve me at all.
I make my way downstairs, and find him in the kitchen. He stands in front of the stove, shirtless, muscles flexing as he stirs gravy in a pan. The smell of coffee and bacon has my stomach growling loudly. He glances over his shoulder at me, his smile lighting up his entire face.
“Good morning, beautiful. Thought I’d make you some breakfast.”
I practically float into the kitchen on a cloud, convinced now I must be in dream-land. “This looks incredible.”
The island is covered in a literal feast. Scrambled eggs, crispy strips of bacon, sausage links, fresh cut fruit. He even baked biscuits. From scratch, if I’m not mistaken. Is this man even real?
He moves to pull me out a mug from the cabinet, choosing one that saysSomeone Got Creamed.I burst out in laughter.
“What is with you and mugs?”
He shrugs, filling it to the top with steaming, dark coffee. “It’s just a thing I started back in high school. I’ve collected them throughout the years. Glad you like them.”
“I do! It’s cute.” I smirk.
“Cute?” He shoots me a mock glare. “I’ll have you know it’s badass.”
“Mhmm, sure.Totallybadass.” I tease, grinning at him as he hands me the mug. Coffee black, just like I like it.
He narrows his eyes and I know that look. It saysyou’re pushing it, Trouble.And I think I like it, even a bit too much.
“Help yourself,” he says, handing me a plate. I don’t need tobe told twice. I pile my plate high with a bit of everything, savoring the smell. My mouth is watering already.
I love to eat. Always have. My curves reflect it and I’m okay with that. Food is pleasure for me, and I won’t restrict myself.
He joins me, and we eat in comfortable silence, side by side. Enjoying each other’s company. When I’ve taken my last bite, my fork clattering to the empty plate, he leans back and asks, “What time do you need to be home?”
I hesitate and decide to just say it. “I don’t. My parents think I’m at Sal’s this weekend… so I’m okay.”
He hums, low in his throat. That flicker of worry flashes in his gaze, just for a moment. He doesn’t say anything at first, and I know I’ve brought up a reminder that this is wrong. Forbidden. I wait with bated breath for his reaction. But then he takes my plate, setting it in the sink. And when he turns back to me, his voice holds steady.
“Well, I don’t have any plans either. I’d love to spend the whole weekend with you. If you want to.”
I light up. “Yes, please.” I give him a cheeky grin. “I’d stay here forever if you’d let me.”
His eyes glint, a mischievous grin appearing on his face. “Careful, Trouble. Or I may just take you up on that.”
My heart swells at his statement. I’d love nothing more than to stay in this house forever, with Theo. I can think of no better place to be.
He cleans up the kitchen while I finish my second cup of coffee, and when he’s done, he takes my hand and leads me to the couch. We curl up together, me tucked into his side, his arms wrapped around me. I feel warm and safe. Genuinely happy.
We sit there for a while, the silence between us easy, the kind that doesn’t need to be filled.
And then, maybe because the moment feels too good, too unreal, I hear myself whisper, “What if this doesn’t last?”
Theo glances down at me, his thumb gently stroking my shoulder. “It’s already lasted longer than I planned,” he says.
“That’s not comforting,” I tease, though my voice barely carries.
“I mean it in the best way,” he murmurs. “This –us –it wasn’t supposed to happen. But now that it has... I can’t picture a world where I didn’t meet you.”
