She can’t know that I’m staring at her through the glass and already picturing her in white. That I’m already imagining her with her tummy round with my baby. The image makes me long for something I never thought I’d have.
Ever since I lost my grandmother who raised me, I’ve been content on my own. I figured it was the way I was meant to be. Some people have family, and some people don’t. That’s how simple I thought it was. A fact of life that just couldn’t be changed.
But with one dressing down in the locker room, all of that changed. Now I want a family, and I want it with the curvy blonde with the easy smile and sunshine demeanor.
I only manage to hold myself back from seeing her in person until lunch. That’s when I know I have to go get another glimpse of her.
I stow away my tools then put Max and Rex in the shade with some water and food. I remind them to be good boys and give them extra belly rubs before I leave.
Normally, I eat lunch in the garden shed by myself. I prefer not to spend much time in the retirement community. It’s not that I mind the residents or the staff. The staff have always been kind and treated me well.
But I don’t care much for being around other people. They expect responses other than grunts, and I don’t much care for that. After all, I’m not exactly the chatty type. But for Bree, I’ll make an effort to be more social.
Before I enter the employee kitchenette, I pause in the lounge and wash up. I do my best to pluck leaves and twigs from my hair, scrub a little bit of dirt off my flannel, and make myself look presentable.
When I’m done, I go to the kitchenette with my heart pounding and my palms sweaty. She does this to me. She makes me nervous and excited all at once. It’s like being on a roller coaster, and some part of me knows it’s going to be like this forever. She’s always going to have this hold over me.
I step into the employee lounge. Her back is to me, and I take a moment to study her. She’s gesturing to Lauren as they have a conversation. I watch the way she moves, completely transfixed.
I’m taking in those gorgeous curves and that plump ass that I can’t wait to see bared to me as she bends over and I give it to her nine deep. I can practically hear her whimpering and begging. I have to force myself to stop thinking about these things before I become indecent right here.
I wait till she’s finished talking and open my mouth just as she turns around. But I’ve misjudged how close we are. My body moved closer to her, magnetized to her as she spoke, and I was right behind her.
When she turns in her boot, she loses her balance while holding her plate of spaghetti. She slams it right into my chest, warm meatballs and pasta sauce splashing onto my flannel.
Her cheeks go pink as she swears under her breath. Then she cranes her head up to look at me. The shock and horror in her gaze have me wanting to laugh out loud.
I’m going to have my hands full keeping her out of trouble for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait for that. I know I’m going to cherish every second of it.
Staring down at her slightly open mouth, I lean close and give her my flirtiest grin. Then I whisper in her ear, “You just wanted to see me take off my shirt again.”
She sputters and squeaks out, “Did not.”
I give her a slow wink and smile down at her. “It’s okay, pixie. You know where to find me.”
Chapter 3
Bree
At the end of my shift at the retirement community, I go into the employee fridge and pull out the bottle of wine I’ve had chilling all day. I’ve been working here for over a week, and I’m settling into the routine of the job nicely. I adore all of my patients, especially Joyce, and Lauren is always there to lend a helping hand. There’s nothing that happens here that she doesn’t know about.
When she invited me to hang out with her after work, I was a little surprised to discover that she actually lives at the retirement community, despite the fact that she’s in her early twenties. I didn’t say anything or ask any questions though I am curious.
I knock on the door and hold up the wine bottle when she swings it open. Her face lights up when she sees the wine. She gives a small chuckle. “That’s perfect.”
She’s dressed in one of her vintage outfits again today, but she has a little bit of ink on her cheek. I don’t have time to point this out because she steps into her room and gestures me inside.
Her room is set up like many of the residence rooms with a large living space that flows into a kitchenette. I know if I went beyond the kitchen, there would be a bathroom and bedroom like most of the other residents have. Her walls are decorated with vintage photos of a life from the 50s and 60s. Fresh flowers adorn the space, and there’s the smell of pizza coming from the oven.
She gives me an apologetic look over her shoulder as she checks the pizza in the oven. “We don’t have delivery here. We’re too far out, so frozen is the best I can do.”
“It works for me,” I say to her. “Where are your glasses?”
She points to a bright curio cabinet painted a sunshine yellow color. I open it and take out two beautiful flutes, pour the wine into the crystal, and pass her one.
She cuts the pizza and we settle on the couch with our pizza and wine. On her coffee table, I can see a variety of art supplies.
“Your apartment is so cozy,” I tell her.
