Page 70 of Mayhem

“I’m sure.”

“Absolutely?” he gets closer, his warm breath tickling my lips.

“Absolutely,” I say with a nod, anticipation of his kiss sending shivers through me.

“Without a doubt?” he asks, millimeters away now.

“Without a?—”

I don’t get to finish because he brushes the words away with his lips, teasing me with the softest of kisses. It takes my breath away, it’s so sweet.

He pulls back slightly to look me in the eyes, his stare hard and full of passion. “I do love you, Tess. We’ve only known each other a short time, but I don’t need more time to know how I feel. The last twenty-four hours without you were too much. I don’t want to do that again.”

“Same,” I say, swallowing hard. His words are like lyrics to a new favorite song. One that I will replay over and over again.

He kisses me again, and this time we let our emotions run free just a little bit more. His tongue drawing mine in to meet his, slow and smooth, and perfect. His hand cups the back of my head gently holding me to him, keeping me steady. It’s a kiss that transcends everything behind us, laying his past and mine to waste, giving only a promise of the bright future ahead of us.

A future we’re going to face together.

“Aww. Good job, Dad!” Charlie’s voice rings from right next to us. We both jump apart quickly, not having heard the door slide open.

“Charlie! Hey…baby girl,” Brad exclaims, smoothing his beard nervously, his face reddening. He clears his throat loudly. “Didn’t hear you sneak up on us…”

“I didn’t sneak. You just didn’t hear me.”

I guess we can’t argue that logic. My heart was racing so hard, I probably wouldn’t have heard a plane crash on the other side of the fence either.

Brad nods while smiling at me. “Point taken.”

She climbs up on Brad’s lap, hugging his neck. Eyeing me carefully, she asks, “Did you two make up?”

I love what a straight shooter she is. I hope she never loses that.

“We did.”

“Good. I told my dad that when two people love each other, they can do anything. Isn’t that right, Dad?”

“That’s right, baby.”

My heart swells, and I’m overcome with emotion. Maybe I’m still exhausted. Or maybe I just realized how important the two people in front of me have become, and how much I care about them. And how lost I’d be without them in my life.

Even in our short time apart, when the world felt like it was coming to an end, I felt their loss deeply. They’ve become a part of my daily life now. The thought of another day without them was positively devastating.

I don’t ever want to feel that way again.

Ever.

We spend the evening together, watching old cartoons and eating popcorn, Charlie snuggled happily between us, holding the bowl. Brad rests his arm along the back of the couch and plays with my hair. It’s hypnotizing and could probably put me to sleep if I let it.

When I dare to glance over at him, I find him staring at me, his eyes thoughtful, and a dreamy smile on his lips. He looks happy. Relieved. Tired. And, if I’m not mistaken – in love. With me.

I grin back at him, letting him know I feel the exact same way, then toss a piece of popcorn at him. He deftly maneuvers to catch it in his mouth without jarring Charlie, who I think is now sound asleep. It is getting late. The evening together flew by, but I don’t want it to end.

“Stay the night?” I ask Brad quietly. “I don’t have another bedroom, but the couch?—”

“Yes, please.” He doesn’t whisper or even attempt to be quiet.

“Shhh. You’ll wake Charlie,” I hiss, shifting to get up without disturbing her too much.

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