I put on my dad’s shoes, grabbed my coat, and walked out of the house before closing the door behind me.
I’d only just made it to my car, though, when a new message came in.
Rina:Don’t knock.
I sniffed against the chilly air and got into my car.
Me:Of course I won’t. I’ll text.
Rina:Drive safe. And don’t sing while you’re driving. It distracts you from the road.
I coughed out a laugh after reading that, and then started my car before turning on the heater.
Me:Aye, ma’am. See you soon.
Rina:I’m counting on it:)
25. The Blue Jay
As I finished plating everything for Myles, I realized that I hadn’t checked on the blue jays’ food and water.
I pushed a strand of my damp hair behind my ear, and made sure to be quiet as I climbed up to my bedroom.Avôhad headed to bed almost two hours ago, and I wasn’t planning on putting a dent in his sleep, especially with Myles on the way.
I opened my bedroom door, grabbed the packet of wet wipes from my nightstand drawer, and made my way over to the window before sliding it open. I grunted as ice-cold air hit me right in the face, and then flipped open the food box so that I could clean it. A lone blue jay stirred as I put a hand inside the box, and chirped lazily when I began discarding the slightly snowy seeds into a small trash bag with the help of a couple wet wipes.
Once I’d replaced the food and water, I put the lid back on, threw the bag in the bin next to the window, and headed to the bathroom.
It was only when I pumped a dollop of hand wash into my palm that I realized my hands were shaking. Not from the cold, to be sure, but in time with the crazy beating of my heart, knowing thathewas coming over to meet me. Knowing that I’d get to touch him in mere minutes.
God, the things Myles Reyes made me feel were extraordinarily irresistible. Dangerous, yes, but also madly addicting.
And damn if I didn’t burn for him like the ember did for the still-roaring flames.
26. Gastric Episode
Itapped my fingers against the steering wheel as I continued to drive through the illuminating streets of a very lively, late-night Chicago. I smiled when a couple of kids on the sidewalk waved at me, and bopped my head in time with the Christmas song playing on the radio.
As I took a left and entered Maplewood Ave, I started to hum, but quickly stopped myself when I thought of Rina’s message from earlier.
She’d driven with me enough times to know how easily music could affect my attention. I could mostly never stop myself from singing or humming along to the songs on the radio, but that also meant I usually ended up eitheralmosthitting an old lady on the street, or a random car driving ahead of me. It’s definitely not something I’m proud of, but hey, at least I’m willing to work on getting rid of the habit for safety reasons.
It was only when I entered Rina’s neighborhood that I realized that my stomach was in knots. Not because of an impending gastric episode, of course, but in time with the wild beating of my heart, knowing that I was about to meether. Knowing that I’d get to touch her in just minutes.
God, the things Carina Ribeiro made me feel were massively compulsive. Risky, yes, but also madly inclining.
And damn if I didn’t burn for her like a cinder did for an ongoing fire.
27. Regé-Jean’s Ass
Ibent and shifted the cookie-laden plate that was on the coffee table, to the left, and then clicked my tongue before shifting it back to its original place. I pulled at my red sweater dress once, and then soothed it back down with a hand.
I moved the plate again. And again.
Wiggled my toes.
Stretched my legs.
Stared at the fireplace like it was Regé-Jean’s ass from the 5th, and well, the 6th, episodes of Bridgerton.
