“Will what you wrote and then cut work with that, though?”
I think back to the pages I wrote, think about the emotions both characters went through, and realize this is exactly what I was leading to. I wrote about them getting close, sharing secrets, sure, but I also wrote about her realization that he wasn’t who she thought he was. It led to a lot of confusion on her end and even more questions, and I think I could absolutely have her realize that being with him is the right move for her.
“Yeah. Holy shit, I think it’ll work perfectly.” My mind starts working a mile a minute, and my fingers move to the keyboard without another thought.
A kiss to my temple is the only thing I remember as I buckle into an intense writing session.
A plate hits the table softly, and I see a couple of slices of pizza and a cup of water.
I eat it like I’m starving, and I probably am. I don’t know what time it is. I’ve switched my computer into focus mode so nothing distracts me.
I briefly look up and see Oakley looking at me with a small smile on his face.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I eat everything within minutes and then go back to writing. Things are going well so far.
The next time I look up, the sun is rising. I look down at the document and realize I’m about two-thirds through. One more good day of writing, and I’ll actually make this deadline.
My eyes are bleary as I look around and realize I don’t see Oakley. Wondering if he’s still in bed, I stumble over to his room and find it empty.
He’s probably already at work.
I decide to lay down for a minute, and work up the energy to head downstairs to find him, maybe get some coffee in the process.
As my head hits his pillow, I think about how sweet he was last night. How much he took care of me when I zoned out and essentially ignored him.
The last thought in my head is how I think I could love him in time. Hell, I probably already do, and then I drift off to sleep.
Chapter 20
Oakley
Watching Willow work all night long was something to behold. Sure, I’ve been with her when she’s been in the zone, but not like this. She didn’t look up, didn’t move the entire time. I would periodically put food out for her, and she would pick at it as she wanted, but it still didn’t feel like enough.
I’m yet again running Grind Time on little sleep, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
The front door dings, bringing in a welcome reprieve to my thoughts.
“Morning, boss-man. How’s the morning been?” Brittany says as she walks past the counter to the back to drop off her purse.
“Slow,” I call back to her. It was a light morning for us, but I did hear Jim Mathews say they were holding a huge bingo tournament, so maybe that’s why. “Yeah, I heard Ledger talking about Ainsley’s dad setting up this thing at the community center. I didn’t get all the details, but I assume a good chunk of town is there.”
“Bingo tournament,” I inform her.
“Of course it is.” She laughs.
“Can you run things for a minute? I just need to go upstairs and check on something.”
“Absolutely. Take your time.”
She walks around, checking things are to her liking before heating up a muffin. I chuckle as I walk away and head up to my apartment. I left Willow while she was still working; she didn’t even hear me leave, so I want to see if she’s still up.
If she is, I might have to tie her to the bed so she gets some sleep. She’s stressing me out with the all-nighter of work, and the need to take care of her is too strong.
I skip steps, quickly making it up to my front door and opening it quietly. Everything is silent, but that doesn’t mean much while she’s working.
Walking around, I check the dining room and see all her things still splayed out, but no sign of Willow. Making my way to my bedroom, I finally see her spread out over the entire thing. My heart pounds in my chest at seeing her asleep in my bed. Something about it feels so intimate.
