“You shouldn’t do heavy lifting. I’m here for that.”
Whoa. I didn’t expect him to leap all over that part of my comment, and a warm glow spreads through me. “I didn’t. I’m only clearing out all the garbage and small things. Really, I was just hanging out for the massage.”
His hand slides inside my robe. “I could do that, if you make it worth my while.”
“I’m still eating.” I wave my half-finished breakfast under his nose. “Oh. And I bought more supplies yesterday, so we’re covered for the week.”
His big body shakes in a silent laugh that I remember so well, and a bittersweet ache grips my heart.I’m so not going to get over you by Friday.
“So did I. You plan on doing anything other than fuck this week? Because I’m up for that.”
I cradle his goods with my free hand. “Hm. So you are.” I tease him a little, and he growls and plunges his fingers through my hair.
“I’ve had a hard-on all fucking night. Don’t push your luck if you want to finish eating.”
I take another bite of breakfast, even though I could easily toss it and eat Ty instead. “A few more minutes won’t matter, then. I don’t want to get indigestion.”
“I’ll give you indigestion.” He hauls me onto his lap, and I laugh down at him, holding my now-cold breakfast above his head. As I lean into him for a kiss, my cell rings.
He swears. “Who the fuck’s calling you at this time of the morning?”
I squint at my phone. “It’s Dad.” I climb off Ty, who doesn’t look thrilled by the interruption, and answer my cell. “Hey.”
“Hey, honey. Just checking in that everything’s okay.”
“It’s all good.” There’s nothing more to tell him than when we last spoke yesterday morning, but he promised to ring every day, and except for one time, Dad’s never broken his promises to me. “I’m on track to finish by Friday.”
“And you’re sure you don’t want me there for the memorial service? I can fly out and be with you Wednesday night. It’s not a problem.”
I know it’s not, and we had this discussion before I left, but he’s mentioned it every time he’s phoned, as though he thinks I’m going to change my mind.
“No, it’s fine.” It’s not fine, but I don’t want to get into another conversation about it with Ty right next to me. “Look, I have to go. Speak to you later.”
“Sure, honey. I love you. Marina sends her love, too.”
I close my eyes for a couple of seconds. “Love you both, too. Bye.”
I balance my cell on the arm of the couch, and for some reason I’m reluctant to look at Ty, so I make a big fuss of wrapping the remnants of my breakfast up in its paper bag. When that’s done to my satisfaction, I fold my arms and shoot him a defensive glance over my shoulder. Why’s he keeping so quiet?
He gives me an odd smile. “You’re still close to your dad, then?”
“Yeah.” I focus on his throat. I don’t know why I’m being such an idiot. Maybe it’s because the last time we discussed my dad we ended up yelling at each other. Well, Ty yelled. I ended up in tears. Not one of our best moments.
“It worked out all right in the end, you moving in with him and your stepmom?”
He sounds calm and reasonable. Why shouldn’t he? It’s all water under the bridge. Hell, we’re both adults now. I should at least act like one and look him in the eye.
“Yes.” That’s all I can manage, as though I don’t want to confide in him, when the truth is there’s so much I want to tell him. But after so long, where would I even begin?
He grunts, obviously fine with my reluctance to share, and I stifle a flare of regret. It’s better this way, keeping everything shallow and superficial. If we start talking about my family, that takes it to another level. And this thing between us has no levels, only sex and closure.
“She wasn’t a bitch, then?”
“Who? Marina?” The words fall out of my mouth before I can stop them, and a strange little pain squeezes deep inside my chest. Sometimes I’m not sure I would’ve survived if it hadn’t been for Marina. “No. She’s lovely.”
“They ever have any kids?”
I clear my throat. It’s stupid to let Ty’s concern affect me so much, but I can’t help it. “No. It’s so unfair. She’d make the best mom.”
