“That sounds like a challenge,” he starts, then chuckles when my eyes widen and I shake my head. He slides out of me, wincing. “Just kidding, baby.” He uses a towel to catch some of our mess, then reaches around me to turn the faucet on.
I watch as he cleans himself up, and even as he takes care of me, that serious look of concentration I’ve come to know well firmly on his gorgeous face.
When we finish brushing our teeth, he takes his shirt off. He tosses it into the hamper he leaves in the corner of the room, then he pushes the flannel off my shoulders and does the same with it. We’re both naked, but it’s not sexual. It’s weirdly comfortable.
He picks me up again, spinning us around as I yelp and grab onto his shoulders. With a laugh, I say, “You don’t have to carry me.”
He’s quiet until we get to his room. He sets me on his bed, making sure I’m underneath the covers. “I know. And yet, I’d carry you anywhere,” he adds simply, then walks to the other side of the bed. I turn to face him, and he mirrors my position. “Tell me something.” He plays with one of my curls, his eyes never leaving me.
“I really like it when you call me baby,” I immediately reply, feeling my cheeks heat. He smiles that full, just-for-me smile.
“I really like it when you sayfuck. Especially followed by the wordsmeandArthur.” We both chuckle, inching closer to one another. He heaves out a sigh and kisses my forehead. “I’m worried my dad will ask me to leave tomorrow.” His confession is followed by silence, but I nod to let him know I heard him.
“I’m worried my Gran will die and I won’t feel sad about it.” My confession is followed by his gentle touch on my chin, tipping my head up to look at him.
“You can feel however you feel, Alice. There isn’t a right or wrong way for you to process her illness or her eventual death, whenever that comes.” My eyes well with tears again, but I know I have to get the next words out for him.
“And if your dad chooses to ask you to leave, it will say far more about him than it will about you.” His brows furrow, and he scoffs, clearly not believing me. “I’m serious, Arthur. Whatever happened that made him so upset with you, the reason we’re all going to be at his house tomorrow is a sweet little girl who wants all the people who love her there on her special day. You’re giving Cece that.
“And if your dad can’t see it, then I’m sorry, Art, but that’s on him. I’m proud of you for choosing to go, and I’m going to support you regardless of the outcome of your decision because I’m seeing firsthand how hard this is for you, and you’re doing it anyway. That means something. That means… everything!” Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I find Arthur watching me with soft eyes and a small smile.
“You have no idea, do you?” I honestly don’t knowwhat he’s talking about, so I shake my head. “No idea how incredible you are.” He pulls me into him, and we settle into a comfortable position of intertwined limbs, his hand in my hair. As my eyes get heavy, I swear I hear him say, “I think you might be my favorite person.”
THIRTY
you also found your pickle
Alice
I wake slowly, taking stock of the position I’m in to make sure it’s not going to cause my neck or shoulders any pain, but when I try to move, I can’t. I’m trapped under a very warm, very naked, and very cuddly Arthur.
“Too early, tesouro. Go back to sleep.” Geez, his morning voice might be my new favorite sound.
“That’s rich coming from the guy up at four in the morning nearly every day.” I snuggle into him, and he hums happily.
“It’s Sunday. I wanna stay in bed with my girl and snuggle.” My brain snags on those two words.
My girl.
But not for long, because Luther comes in, puts his front paws on the bed, and lays his head on Arthur’s pillow, panting into his face. “Buddy, I love ya, but seriously?” Luther answers him with a lick to the face, and I laugh at these two silly boys who feel more like home than anyplace I’ve ever been. “Ugh. Fine.” He kisses the top of my head and slides away from me.
“I’ll get up, too. I can let him out if you make the coffee?” Just when I think I’m about to avoid any awkward, potentially gross morning breath, he leans down and kisses me. And it’s not awkward or gross. It’s amazing, because it’s Arthur.
“Sounds like you know who makes a better cup of coffee in this house.” He kisses the tip of my nose and stands in all his naked glory. After pulling on a pair of sweats, he takes a fresh shirt out of his closet and leaves it at the foot of the bed for me. I have the insatiable urge to squeal and kick my legs,.
How is this my real life right now?
The morning was quiet,both of us feeling the pressure building as the minutes ticked by. And now, as we pull into a long driveway, Arthur’s grip on the steering wheel tightens to the point that his knuckles turn white. I place a hand on his thigh, and when he puts the truck in park, I unbuckle my seatbelt and slide closer to him. “You can do this.” I kiss his cheek and he nods, swallowing hard.
He opens the driver’s door, slipping out and then reaching for me to help me out through the same side. We grab Cece’s gifts out of the back seat and walk slowly to the front door, which is wide open. As we step inside, there’s chatter coming from the back of the house, and as we take our shoes off, a gorgeous woman walks down the stairs. When her eyes land on Arthur, she runs down the final few stairs, practically lunging at him.
“Mano,” she yelps. “You came!” She pries herself off him and jumps a few times. “This is the best day ever!” Facing me, she smiles brightly, the same dark eyes as Arthur’s shining back at me. “Hi, I’m Dani. Little sister,” she says, pointing to Arthur with her thumb.
“I’m Alice. It’s so nice to meet you, Dani.” I extend a hand, but she wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a hug.
“Thanks for coming with him,” she whispers so only I can hear.Oh boy, I think I like her already. “All right, come on! Cece’s been talking about you coming for days.” She takes my hand, pulling me into the house, and Arthur follows closely behind.
“Cece!” Dani calls out. “Ceciliaaaa,” she tries again. “Ana Cecilia Machado, get your butt in here!”
