“Actually, he’s less of a grizzly and more like a gummy bear in the sack,” I blurt.
“Oh my god, I just puked in my mouth.” Izzy makes gagging sounds.
“Gummy bear?” Zane winces. “If anythin’ I’m one of those sour bears that lasts all night.”
“I’m going to be sick twice,” Izzy groans.
I turn to Zane, running a hand through his beard, which is surprisingly soft. “You certainly do.”
“Okay, well, that’s me done.” She pats Zeus, who’s made his way to standing, which is a good sign. “You two are disgusting, by the way. Doing it in a barn with Zeus right there.”
“Actually, we went in the other—” Zane places a hand over my mouth before I can finish.
“Iz, keep this to yourself,” Zane warns. “If Mom and Dad find out, they’ll be ridin’ my tail from now until New Year’s.”
Izzy taps her chin while she kisses Zeus on the nose. “I can, for a price.”
“Oh, god,” Zane mutters. “Name it.”
“I’ve seen this cosmetics beauty fridge that you keep your creams in, it plugs into the wall and?—”
Zane pinches the bridge of his nose. “Done, what else?”
“A new Kindle.”
“Iz.”
“Andone of those mini karaoke speaker machines, they look fun.”
“Jesus Christ.”
I don’t even hide my amusement. “You two are the reason I wish I’d had a sibling growing up.”
“You can take mine,” Zane replies. “She’s goin’ real cheap.”
Izzy flips him the bird. “Just think how boring life would be without me.”
“Don’t you have to be at work?” Zane asks, pulling his beanie back down. It is cold in here now we’re not wrapped around one another, and we still have to get to work in a few hours.
“Now, now, I knew you’d still be here, so I brought coffee.” She waves a thermos at us. “You can thank me later.”
I excuse myself not long after because I left Mindy all night, not that she’d mind, but the fire will be out by now and she needs to be fed.
I have a quick shower, then set about making breakfast. I figured Zane would be hungry by the time he gets back.
It isn’t long after I start cooking some scrambled eggs that he arrives back home. I pop a pod into the machine to make his coffee.
I try not to think about the email I got from Duncan overnight.
It went a little something like:I know you don’t want to hear from me, but I’ve changed, Sadie. I’ve seen the light. I realize now I’m in love with you. Can’t you give me one more chance? I promise I’ll never do that ever again. I heard you left your job and the apartment. Where are you? I miss you…
He can’t even say the words ‘cheated on you multiple times.’ I just want him to leave me alone. I’m glad he has no clue where I am, and I want to keep it that way.
It also feels weird not telling Zane. I don’t want our ‘situationship’ to start off on the wrong foot. I don’t like lies, but I also don’t want him to think that I have any feelings for Duncan whatsoever, because I don’t.
“Somethin’ smells good,” Zane says, sticking his head in the kitchen.
I look up from the pan. A regular freaking Martha Stewart overnight. “I hope you like not-bacon.” I beam.
