“Oh no, you don’t. Using my mug, teasing me about where I keep my keys or the clothes in my bathroom…I’m onto you.” He holds his arm out, ready to drop the underwear on my face.
It’s like I’m watching in slow motion as he looks down at his hand and realizes what he’s holding.
His eyes widen, and he actually starts blushing. I expect him to throw them, but instead, he lowers them to my face with painfully slow movements.
“Now you know what happens when you use my coffee mug.” His voice comes out hoarse and gruff, and his face is close to mine as I look at him through the red lace.
I blow it off my face and glare up at him. “And now you know what happens when you joke about making me sleep with bears!”
I can’t believe I’m about to go camping with this stinker. He’s an absolute menace to society. He’s too selfish about his coffee cups and far too funny for me to go camping with.
Now, we’re going to have to pretend that we’re married. And forcing myself to be close to Miles could end with me growing too attached.
I don’t know if my heart can take falling for him. It might not recover from breaking.
TWENTY-NINE
Miles
I don’t know how she’s done it, but Lucy managed to avoid me for an entire week.
But she can’t avoid me today. It’s Friday, and we both took the day off and are heading to the family camping trip.
I feel like a little kid on Christmas. I woke up at five, without an alarm, and began packing the car. I was so excited. Hanging out with my family is the best, and camping is one of my favorite things.
This year will definitely be a little different since I’m bringing a wife…
I have the cooler open in the kitchen, and I’m grabbing all the eggs and bacon that I bought a couple of days ago and setting them on the ice. Lucy and I are in charge of breakfasts for the next two days.
I hear a shuffling noise as I turn to say good morning to Lucy.
Lucy looks like she’s ready to go on an Arctic expedition.
A giant, puffy coat, a huge scarf that goes up to her eyes, along with a beanie, and she’s holding the big, fluffy blanket from her bed.
“Do I look ready?”
“To visit polar bears?”
“I’ve never been camping! I don’t know how I’m supposed to dress. Is there a dress code for this?” she asks with a laugh as she attempts to push the scarf down so her voice isn’t muffled anymore.
“Whoa, back up.” I pick up the end of the scarf to feel how soft it is. “You’ve never been camping before?”
“Yep. That’s what I’m saying.”
I grin. “This is going to be fun.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to be cold. Remind me why your family goes camping in the fall?”
“Because we’re fun.” I flop the lid closed on the cooler and grab a mug out of the cupboard, filling it with coffee and creamer for her.
“Thank you,” she murmurs as I hand it to her.
She won’t meet my eyes with me standing so close. She takes the coffee cup and clings to it like it might save her.
“Should we talk about it?” I ask.
She slowly raises her eyes to meet mine. “It?”
