“Hey, girl! I’m in Norway. Work trip,” she said enthusiastically. “We’re basically in the same time zone.”
“Nice. How you do—”
“You had sex, didn’t you?” she blurted. I started coughing violently, choking on the apple I’d been snacking on.
“MADY!”
“You totally did, you minx!” She was more excited than a kid with a new balloon.
“How do youdothat?” I groaned, ashamed and impressed at the same time.
“Well, hello, Mister I-probably-eat-only-protein-and-vegetables.”
“Give it a rest. Luke’s normal. He consumes alcohol and eats carbs besides other stuff.” The words left my mouth before I could stop myself.
“Hazel, you slut! I knew you had it in you. I’ve never been prouder,” she said, and we both started to laugh hysterically until I remembered Luke was still asleep and shushed her.
“Change of subject. How’s John?” I asked, sipping my coffee.
“Working non-stop. Same as I. Lately, we’ve been having problems meeting each other even when staying in the same apartment. Sometimes I’m out of town, other times he’s stuck at work late. I’ve seen him more asleep than awake. It’s just a phase in our world right now. It’s fine.”
I sent her a mental hug. I knew she’d been feeling guilty about that and tried to do everything she could to make it up to him.
“Oh, by the way, I cleared next Wednesday, as always, so we’re good to go,” she said.
“You’re the best. As always.” I said with a soft smile.
“So tell me about yesterday. How did you celebrate?” She disappeared off-screen, making breakfast, while I recapped my birthday in detail, starting from the balloon arch.
Suddenly, two large, steady hands slowly wrapped around me, molding me like those clay vases you see in pottery workshops, guiding the shape, like he knew exactly what he was doing. My voice got shaky, but I kept going with my story since Mady hadn’t noticed.
I put down the cup as Luke’s lips brushed my neck, light as a feather. He whisperedMorningin my ear, his breath and touch disorienting me.
“We went to the bookshop... then, um...” A kiss on my shoulder. “The beach to watch a... movie, I think.” Another kiss on my jaw. I gripped the counter.
“You think?!” Mady asked, oblivious as she prepared her omelet.
Luke took my phone, lifted it to his lips, and said, “Mady, Hazel will call you back.”
“Oh my God, you better not be f—” Click.
His mouth pressed into my neck with full force, making my whole body lean against him. I turned around, eyes closed, andkissed him. His body responded instantly. His tongue collided with mine, making me moan. Out of nowhere, this peaceful morning had once again turned into a desperate search for pleasure. Luke lifted me and pinned me against the cabinets.
In our madness, I knocked over my morning coffee and cried out. Luke froze and looked at the ground.
“Oh, shit, are you okay? Did it burn you?”
He set me on a stool, examining me closely. I just laughed. I couldn’t help it. He stared at me like I was in shock.
“I’m fine. I promise,” I wheezed, pressing my forehead against his chest, winding down from the hilarity my life had become.
I took a slow, deep breath, and he gently raised my chin with his fingers, tilting my face toward his.
“Hi,” he said, kissing me again, this time more gently.
“Hi,” I said, smiling, hair all messed up and lips swollen.
“Why do I keep waking up alone? Makes me think I have dreamt all the dirty things we did last night.”
