And the aching is why I cave and sit on one of the barstools opposite him at the long countertop. I’d lay my head down, but I’m not sure my shoulder would like it.
“You’re here to piss me off.”
“I’m here because you’ll be pissed when I tell you what I have to tell you. Even though I’d rather it not piss you off, but you’re within your rights to be pissed about it.”
Is my sloth brain still sludging, or is he absolutely perky about pissing me off? “And you’re going to enjoy it.”
His smile slips. “Not at all.”
“Then why are you in such a good mood?”
“Acceptance.”
“Acceptance?”
“Hold that thought.” He grabs my coffee grinder and the bag of beans, and he carries them out of the kitchen and into my bedroom.
I don’t argue.
Not even when he shuts the door.
The man is grinding coffee beans in another room while I have the hangover from hell.
Which means he’s either here to sprinkle ground coffee beans all over my bed, or he’s thoughtfully keeping loud noises as far from me as he can.
My eyes water again.
I hate depending on people. I hate needing help. I hate vulnerability as a general concept.
Too many people have used it against me, so I make it a point to not need anyone else.
Wantis fine.
I canwantto be friends with someone. I canwantto sleep with someone. I canwantto share parts of my life here and there with the people who come and go.
But I never want toneedit.
Needing it is what gets you in trouble. Needing it can destroy your life.
The coffee grinder whirs to a halt, and moments later, Duncan strides out of my bedroom.
He gets the coffee maker prepped and hits the button to turn it on as the microwave beeps that the breakfast sandwich is done.
Before my sloshy brain can contemplate moving, he opens the microwave to stop the beeping, grabs a plate from the cabinet next to it, and grins at me again while he gets the food on the plate.
“You want one of those too?” he asks.
I gawk at him.
“Kidding. I didn’t come here to raid your kitchen.”
“Whyare you in such a good mood?”
I already asked him that.
Shit.
What did he say?
