“No, come with me. Koby said he wants to take you around and show you a few things. See your baby boy in action,” I tease Mum.
Mum expression is shocked. “I don’t want Koby to go out of his way for us!”
“Dad, can you help me here? Seriously, Mum, stop stressing. Everyone wants to see you both and show you around.”
“Let it lie, Camila,” my dad adds from brushing his teeth in the bathroom.
It’s the first weekend back from mid-season break, and this track is closer so my parents can visit. I’ve missed them. I really want them to meet Mabel, but I don’t want to put thatexpectation on her. Not that I would introduce her as my fuck buddy or friend with incredible benefits. But she is right next door, and they are staying with me in the two-bedroom hotel room. She might pop by.
It feels like I just have to think about her, because I hear her familiar knock at the door. “That will be my neighbour, Mabel.” I inform my mum with an innocent look as I head to the door.
“Oh, wonderful. It will be great to meet her off the laptop.” Mum says out loud as she smooths down her long, blonde hair.
I open the door and there she stands. Honey brown hair slicked back in hertake no shitbusiness mode, low ponytail. Team polo and slacks. I haven’t been able to see her since my parents arrived three days ago, and while I love spending time with my parents. I miss the routine Mabel and I have developed.
“Hi!” she exclaims with a small wave. “Sorry if I am intruding? I wanted to come by and say hello.”
“Hey, not at all. Come in.” I step back and gesture for her to enter. “Mum, this is Mabel. Mabel, this is Mum.”
Mabel walks over to Mum and greets her, “Hi, Mrs. Fortuna, it’s lovely to finally meet you face-to-face.”
Mum extends her arms wide and comes in for a hug, as she always does. “Hello, dear! Please, call me Camila. It’s a treat to meet you, too. Riley has said so many nice things about you.” Mum rubs Mabel’s back as she steps back from the hug, keeping one arm around her. “And that’s Oliver in the bathroom.” Dadpops his head out, jaw covered with shaving cream as he waves. “Hiya! Will be done in a moment!”
“Close the door. There’s company now.” Mum waves him off and he closes the door.
“Riley only told us this morning that it was your birthday last month. Happy birthday! Did you get to see your family to celebrate?” Mum asks as she leads Mabel to sit on the lounge, holding her hand the entire way and keeping a hold of it when they sit together.
“No, they weren’t able to, but they’re working out when to come over the next few weeks,” Mabel says very diplomatically.
“Oh, that’s a shame. I’m sorry to hear that. I hope Riley and your friends could show you a good time?” Mum asks.
I look down to the floor and smirk because, yeah. I definitely did my best to show her a good time.
Mabel smiles sweetly and replies, “Absolutely, they all looked after me and made sure I had a great day. It was really nice.”
“That’s so good to hear.” Mum rubs the back of Mabel’s hand lovingly and smiles sparklingly at her.
“Cami, can you give me a hand in here?” Dad pops his head out from the bathroom, looking around for Mum.
“I better go help him. He probably wants me to check he doesn’t have any out-of-place hair on the back of his neck.” Mum pats Mabel’s hand and goes into the bathroom.
Mabel gets up and heads to my bedroom with a knowing look on her face. I follow her and close the door.
Turning around, she is suddenly there with her arms around my neck, her lips slamming into mine. My arms go around her and I return her urgent kisses, squeezing her tightly against me. It appears we’ve both missed each other equally. We kiss for a few moments more before she pulls away. “Sorry, I just wanted to stop by and say hello.”
“You can come by and say hello any time you’d like,” I reply as I kiss down her neck, breathing her in.
“Any plans for tonight?” she asks as she tilts her head back, giving me more access.
“Maybe I can pop over after they have gone to sleep?” I suggest, biting down on her neck gently, causing her to hold her breath.
“If it will work,” she says. I move back up her neck and jaw and she moves her head so we are now gazing at each other, and she kisses me gently.
“I’ll make it work,” I breathe out, lingering in the hug I don’t want to let go of. A sting in my chest hits for everything I could be saying to make the most of this moment.
“Okay,” she replies and steps away, smoothing her hair and rearranging her clothes.
“It’s okay, you look perfect,” I say, staring at her. I could stare at her all day. My longing for her increased because I haven’t been close to her for a few days.
