This is such a potent image, I come to an abrupt halt. That must have caught her attention because she flips the pan and grins at me.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
I shake my head. “I don’t remember ever sleeping this soundly.”
She beams. “I’m magical like that.”
“That you are.” I approach her, wrapping my arms around her belly.
“I hope it’s okay. Pancakes are my comfort food.”
I feel my brows furrow. “Why do you need it today?”
But then I remember it’s Sunday. She has to return to college, and I have to work.
This year will be brutal. It won’t be easy once she finds out we’re engaged. I need to hurry, refusing to let anyone else beat me to having her, leaving only a few more months of serenity.
“We could stay some more. Stay as long as you want to.” I sound like a simp and don’t give a fuck.
I don’t know what this woman did to me, but strangely, I don’t bother finding out.
“We’ll see each other soon,” she says, but it sounds more like a question.
“Next weekend.”
She worries her lip. “Tristan?—”
I cut her off. “Please, I need you.”
Her eyes soften, the retort melting from her tongue even though she arches a brow. “I know what you’re doing.”
I smirk. “I’m not doing anything.”
“Hmm, sure, Mister Innocent.”
“I’m anything but.”
“I’m seeing that,” she sighs, as if coming to terms with some things.
That gives me hope that she’ll be able to overlook my biggest sin—deceiving her.
I can’t risk telling her the truth. Our relationship wouldn’t be the same.
Sensing something is troubling her, I grip her chin. “What’s the matter,mo run?”
“What did you call me?”
I give her a cheeky grin, asking, “What do you think?”
“Tell me, pretty please,” she pouts, turning me into a goner.
Caressing her cheek with my thumb, I lose myself in her green eyes. “It’s Irish for my love. My beloved. Literally my secret.”
A bright smile lights up her face. “I like it. It fits.”
In more ways than one, and we’re both aware of that.
After we eat the pancakes, I pat the corners of my mouth with a napkin. “Damn, these are good.”
