Determined to make it up to her, he arrived at her place—not yours, dumbass—and knocked. Though she normally left the back door unlocked for him, he felt like he needed to make sure she realized he respected her space.
She opened the door, sighed, then turned and walked back into the house without speaking.
He found her grading papers in the living room while the kittens played with toys on the floor. The fireplace was going, and she had a covered mug on the table next to a pile of papers.
“I’m sorry,” he blurted at the same time she did. “Huh?”
Marlie huffed. “Look, I’m sorry for being overly dramatic. I was just annoyed and took it out on you. My bad.” Her eyes were snapping, her jaw clenched tight.
He dragged her into a hug and squeezed until she squeaked and finally relaxed. “There you go. Look, I didn’t mean to bum you out. I know you’re dealing with a lot. The games, practices, me being here, the kittens, and finals. You’re entitled to get snippy.”
“I wasn’t snippy, your highness, but thanks for allowing me to have feelings,” she said nastily, not muffled enough against his sweatshirt.
He pulled away. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is that part of your sincere apology? All the sarcasm??
She blushed. “Shut up. I’m sorry, I said.” Her face remained red, but she maintained eye contact as she admitted, “And I got my period earlier and my cramps are killing me.”
“Aw, snookums, why didn’t you say so?” He led her back to the couch, shoving her to sit down on it once more.
She tried to hide a smile but didn’t manage it. “Quit calling me fake endearments.”
“Sure thing, sugar bottom.”
She snickered.
“What are you drinking?”
“Hot chocolate.”
“Want more?”
She lifted her cup, shook it, then nodded.
“Coming right up.”
She watched him putter around in the kitchen. He left and found a towel he heated up in the microwave.
“What’s that for?”
“Cramps. That and some ibuprofen. Always worked for Grace.”
“You don’t seem uncomfortable with the topic of menstruation. I’m impressed.”
He snorted. “You don’t grow up in house with Leila and Grace Sinclair and get squeamish about woman parts and processes. And blood? Ha. I was in more fights as a kid than…” He coughed. “I mean, blood is a natural part of life.”
“So you were a little bad ass.”
“Well, kind of. My parents channeled it quickly into sports. Then I found ice hockey and poured all my aggression into anyone trying to score on me.” He fetched her cocoa and the towel and stood over her.
She blinked up at him.
“How bad are the cramps?”
“They’re usually pretty bad the first few days. But they even out by day four.”
“How long is your period?”
“Kind of a personal question, isn’t it?”
