“Yeah. I’ll clean up the kitchen if you want to get ready to go outside.”
It bothered me that he didn’t seem like he wanted to come with me, but I left it alone.
“Okay. Thanks for breakfast.” I got up from the table and headed to the bedroom to get what I needed to go outside.
I knew I wouldn’t be out there long, but I at least needed to grab my phone. I also wanted to check on Sparrow before I went.
Once I was ready, I stopped in the kitchen. Major was in the middle of wiping down the counters when I entered.
“I’m only going to take a little walk. Maybe we can watch a movie when I come back.”
Major turned to look at me. A strange look passed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
“Yeah, we can do that. Be careful.”
“I will.”
I turned to leave the kitchen because that interaction felt weird to me. I made sure Sparrow was good, then left the cabin.
I wantedto follow Tumy outside to make sure she was good, but I knew the space was needed. We were in a weird space, and it was because I’d begun pulling back. Falling for her wasn’t a good idea, and I figured I’d make it easier on both of us when it was time to say goodbye.
I stood in the window and watched her as she paced the space in front of the cabin. She was on the phone with someone, and for a second it made my chest tight because I assumed she was talking to another man. She had every right to, but I still didn’t like it.
I told myself that I watched to make sure she was safe, but in reality, I watched because I just liked watching her. My head was full of confusion, and the shit fucked with me.
Sparrow came from wherever he was and rubbed against my leg.
“I know, little buddy. Your mom will be back soon.” I rubbed his back, then patted his head. It was crazy how I’d gotten attached to him and his mother after a few days.
Tumy mentioned watching movies, and since I couldn’t do anything else, I agreed. I could tell she knew that things had changed between us, but she hadn’t said anything.
When I saw her walking toward the front door, I quickly left the window and pretended like I wasn’t staring at her the whole time.
I sat on the couch, and Sparrow sat near my feet.
“Whew. It’s cold out there.” Tumy rubbed her gloved hands together, then removed all her gear.
“I’m sure it is. Do you want some hot chocolate or tea to help warm you up?” I might have been trying to wean myself off her, but I wasn’t a complete asshole.
“I can get it.” She walked over to the couch and sat next to me.
Sparrow jumped into her lap and snuggled against her.
“I don’t mind, Tumy,” I told her as I stood.
That vanilla shit she wore drove me crazy, so I needed to get away from her for a second.
“Okay,” she said as she rubbed Sparrow’s head.
I left the living room and went into the kitchen to make her some hot chocolate. She never said which one she wanted, but I knew she loved my hot chocolate. We also had to get rid of the marshmallows before we left so they didn’t go to waste.
While I warmed up the milk, I thought about all the things I could have said to her but knew I shouldn’t. It was for the best. She probably had unfinished business with whoever called her phone. Any other time, I wouldn’t care, but I had to with her,and that was the problem. I wasn’t in a position to see where things went outside of here.
Once the milk was the right temperature, I turned the stove off and prepared the hot chocolate for her. I made sure to put extra marshmallows in it.
Tumy was covered in one of the throw blankets when I reentered the living room. She sat up and reached for the cup when I passed it to her.
“Thank you. Looks like a lot of marshmallows.” She giggled as she swiped one off the top with the tip of her tongue.
