A heavy arm is draped around me as daylight tickles my eyelids. I blink myself awake, my gaze trained on the half-open blinds as the sun crests over a line of lush green treetops. Birdsong floats into my ears, chasing away the dreams, and I release a slow breath, snuggling closer to the man pressed against my back. “Morning,” I say, voice cracking with sleep.
Alex stirs, squeezing me tighter. “Does it have to be?”
“The birds have spoken.” Kicking my feet, I shove the blankets away and roll onto my back, my white tank top inching up my stomach as I stretch through a yawn.
Alex mimics my position, his hair mussed, bare chest inflating with drowsy breaths. He props both arms over his head and stares up at the ceiling. “You were out late last night.”
“Oh, sorry. Did I wake you?”
“Little bit.”
I cant my head, blinking at him through the dimly lit room. “Tag and I were in the zone. I lost track of time.”
He purses his lips, then changes the subject. “I was looking into flights. Thailand is a haul.”
My eyes round as warmth fizzes in my chest, my belly. “You’re serious about taking a vacation?”
“You want to, right? We have the time. I’ll have Maurice take over for me while we’re gone. And I’m sure Kenna won’t mind a few extra shifts. Jess too.”
“Oh my God. Yes. That would be incredible.”
“Still need to work out the finances. Airfare isn’t cheap.”
“We can do it. We’ve been saving.”
“Yeah.” Sighing, he shifts slightly, turning to glance at me. “Maybe we can go over an itinerary tonight.”
The familiar coil of anxiety invades me, slithering around my heart. “It’s Thursday,” I remind him. “I’ll be at the café. You know that.”
His jaw tenses, face going hard. “You can’t cancel one night?”
“I…I guess I can. But it’s open mic night, and I was planning on singing. I’ve been practicing a few covers. Oldies. What about tomorrow? I only have a morning shift, and we can—”
“Sure. Whatever.” Alex tosses off the blankets and swings his legs over the side of the bed. “I’m gonna take a shower.”
I sit up straight, pulse spiking. “No, wait, it’s not a problem. I’ll reschedule.”
“I said it’s whatever. We’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Alex, don’t—”
“Jesus, calm down, will you?”
All the air sticks in my throat. “I am calm.”
“No, you’re freaking the hell out.” He stands abruptly, veering toward the dresser and swiping a clean shirt from the drawer. “It’s too early for this.”
I scramble out of bed, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. “Alex. Hey.”
He leans forward on his palms, gripping the edge of the dresser. His shoulder blades flex. “It’s not a big deal.”
“I don’t want you to be upset.” I step closer, inching along the tightrope I’m constantly walking. “This vacation is important. The café isn’t going anywhere.”
“You’re just…always gone.” Long, tense fingers twitch against the wood. “Atthat damn coffee shop, out all hours of the night doing God-knows-what. Bar hopping with Kenna. I hardly see you anymore.”
“I only went to the bar that one time.” When he swivels around to face me, eyes dark and unreadable, I reach for him, pulling him into a tight hug. I feel his heartbeat pounding between us, both a weapon and a comfort. My head dips, my temple resting on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. You’re so tired after work, and that’s when I get a second wind. But you’re right. I’ll make more time for us. We can wake up earlier and go for a run, or have a breakfast picnic, or—”
“Yeah,” he murmurs into my hair. “Sure.”
