Page 27 of The Moment We Know

She found a spare toothbrush from a recent dental visit under the sink and gave it to him, and then they brushed their teeth, side by side at her sink. When she saw him grimace a little, she assumed it was due to the cut on his lip and said, “I’m sorry for biting you. Twice.”

“It’s fine.” He shook off her concern with an amused smile. “And don’t worry. I’ll try and keep your name out of it if I have to explain what happened to anyone.”

After they tidied up the bathroom, he followed her into her bedroom, and when he saw it for the first time, he had to catch his breath. It was almost like stepping back in time to the room they’d shared—the furniture, the bedding, and even the wall color was the same. The only thing that was different was the missing lamp from ‘his’ nightstand. Wondering if it was because it wasn’t needed, he asked, “Where’s the other lamp?”

Paige glanced over from where she was putting her dirty work clothes into her hamper. “Sputnik broke it one night when he jumped up on the nightstand in the dark and knocked it over.”

“Good for him,” David said with approval, laying his own clothes neatly on the small chair in the corner so they wouldn’t be wrinkled when he put them on in the morning. “It’s too bad he hasn’t taken the other one out, too.”

“That’s mean,” Paige sputtered, a hint of laughter in her voice. “They were a wedding gift from my Great-aunt Adele.”

“I know. And who gives ugly lamps as a wedding gift?”

“They’re valuable antiques.”

“That she got where? The Ugly Ass Antique Lamp Store? Come on, Paige, she only told you they were ‘valuable antiques’ so you’d feel obligated to display them somewhere in our house. I mean seriously, for all you know, she was cleaning out her basement and instead of throwing them away—which is what she should’ve done—she decided to re-gift them to us.”

“She didn’t do that.” Paige was almost laughing now. “Shut-up.”

“You shut-up. You know I’m right.”

Choosing not to acknowledge that, she started to head out of the room.

“Where are you going? We’re in the middle of a conversation about ugly lamps,” he called after her.

“I’m going to get a glass of water,” she called back. “And the conversation about ugly lamps is over.”

With a grin, David grabbed his phone from his pants pocket, then went to what had always been ‘his’ side of the bed and climbed in. He’d shared one with Ashley for four years, but this felt like coming home, especially when Sputnik jumped on the bed and curled up at David’s feet. He took a moment to enjoy his good fortune before setting his alarm, and had just put the phone down on the nightstand when Paige returned with a glass of water.

At the sight of David laying in her bed—er, their bed—Paige paused. It both excited and freaked her out because while it was odd, it was also very welcome, given how good he looked.

“I turned the volume down on my phone,” he told her. “Hopefully my alarm won’t wake you, but you were always a light sleeper, so …”

“I still am, but don’t worry about it.”

Realizing she was still just standing there, Paige went to her side of the bed and set her glass down. Then, as he watched, she slid under the covers and leaned toward him. “Good night.”

“Good night,” he returned, lifting himself up on one elbow to kiss her. It sort of felt like old times, except that she was mostly naked and the light was still on.

With a tired smile, she pulled back, then shifted so she could turn off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. In the ensuing silence, David lay there, the foot and a half separating him from Paige starting to really feel like old times and he decided to throw a grenade on that. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her back toward his chest, making her squeak a little in surprise, but as he nestled against her and held on tight she relaxed against him with a sigh.

“That’s much better,” he whispered.

Chapter 8

When Paige woke up the next morning it was a little after 6:30 a.m., and for a moment, she just lay there in disbelief. She’d slept almost nine hours. In a row. Shocked, she blinked in the dim, early morning light, not having felt this refreshed in God knew how long. She was a new woman, ready to take on the world and she rolled over to share her good mood with David, only to find his side of the bed empty.

His clothes were also gone.

She was alone.

It took her a second to remember he’d set an alarm (which she’d obviously slept through) and was considering the possibility he might’ve already left, when she heard the sound of running water coming from the guest bathroom down the hall. With an unusual amount of energy—and a critical need to pee—Paige climbed out of bed and practically jogged the short distance to the master bath, where she quickly took care of her full bladder. Once finished, she made her way to the guest bath and found the door closed.

She knocked twice. “David?”

When there was no response, she tried the door knob and found it turned easily. Slowly, she opened the door, pushing away any thought that she might be invading his privacy, because honestly, what was she supposed to do? Notlook into an unlocked bathroom, when David was taking a shower, with soapy water running down his body?

If he’d been worried about privacy, he would’ve locked the door.

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