At least I was seeing him tomorrow—er, tonight, technically.
The hot spray submerged me in the muscle memory of Angel’s embrace. How he’d molded against me, warmed me. Loved me, maybe.
Under the water’s spell, I explored my body.
Soft, tender breasts. An ache deep between my legs. Smooth skin.
That moonlight swim had illuminated more than a potential relationship with Angel. My ‘wild’ side had thrived. I’d danced in the water, kissed a boy I liked, and stayed out past midnight.
And everything was fine.
I’d be fine.
Tears pricked behind the memory of another moonlit night, another drive.
I’d been so tired. Nothing had gone right.
But tonight, for the first time in a long while, I feltalive.
I chuckled, letting relief spill out however it needed: laughter, hot tears joining the water, a tight hug to myself, and the comforting aroma of vanilla-lavender soap.
Tonight, I hoped I’d dream of Angel and his healing hands all over me.
***
The clatter of medical trays yanked the sleep out from under me.
No, not medical trays. That wasn’t my life anymore.
Steel shrieked against iron, and I gasped, sitting upright.
What happened?
I ran downstairs to the kitchen, my heart hammering. “Are you okay? Was there an accident?”
“We’re fine.” Jen glared at me, her eyes puffy.
“Oh. I thought…” I registered the metal spatula in her hand and the iron-cast skillet on the stove. “We’re not supposed to use metal on that one. It’ll ruin the coating.”
“I guess I can’t do anything right.” She threw the spatula into the sink.
I winced and crossed my arms to fight the morning chill through my thin pajamas. “Jen, it’s too early for this. Why are you so upset?”
“You woke me up last night.” She sniffled and snatched a less offensive spatula.
“Sorry, what?” How was that related to breakfast or her lack of direction?
“With your shower. Coming in late. Seems like you had a great time with Kat.” She dumped a bunch of frozen hash browns into the pan.
I shrugged and pulled my clothes tighter. “We met with some mall friends.” Something told me she wouldn’t be happy if I mentioned the new man in my life.
Dad staggered into the kitchen. “Why are you girls up at four o’clock in the morning?”
“I’m hungry.” Jen pouted.
“We have fruit in the fridge,” he said.
Subtext: a snack she could have without waking the whole house.
