Page 23 of Tiers of Joy

I look to Gaige and see he’s smiling.

“God you have a beautiful smile.” I state.

His smile fades and back in its place is his static expression. I cough nervously and get off of him. He stands up, brushing himself off.

“Let’s try and get the mattress in the room it’s supposed to be in.” He states.

I nod and smile.

“Let’s do this.” I yell, doing a muscle pose.

“Um, you want to put a top on first?” He asks.

I look down and realise I'm still in my bra.

“Oh yeah, right.” I giggle.

“Hold that thought.” I run off and grab a tank top and put it on.

“Right, let’s do this.” I clap.

We both heave and pull. Eventually, with Gaige’s help, it shifts and we get it up the stairs. I’m pulling so hard I land right on my arse.

I burst out laughing and I hear Gaige laugh too. He helps me to my feet.

“You good?” He asks.

“Yeah.” I giggle.

He pulls the mattress into the bedroom and rests it up against the wall.

“Where is your bed? I thought that was delivered as well?” He asks.

I point to the flat pack box and grab the tool belt I bought at the hardware store.

“Yup, and now I build her.” I say proudly swishing my hips in my new tool belt.

Gaige shakes his head.

“You want a hand with that?” He asks.

“I'm fine doing it myself but if you have nothing else to do then sure, I guess. I can make you dinner after. I have canned soup.” I wink and twiddle my spanner.

It works, Gaige chuckles.

“Ha-ha! I knew I could crack a laugh out of you again. So let’s do this, where’s the instructions?” I ask.

“We don’t need instructions.” He states pulling out the parts of the bed.

I spot the bit of paper with the instructions on. If I've learnt anything, it’s that you always need the instructions. No man has ever successfully put together any flat pack furniture without needing the instructions. It’s usually after hours of getting it wrong and swearing at the thing like a raving loon, but the instructions are always needed. I guess Gaige is the type of man that likes to get frustrated before reaching the final goal. It’s a bit like that tantric sex that people do. I giggle to myself at the innuendo. Gaige looks at me and I fake a cough.

“You want a beer or some wine?” I ask.

“Beer if you have it.” he answers.

“Sure.” I answer, walking out of the room to the kitchen.

“Well Jay, I hope you found today entertaining. I bet you were pissing your pants laughing, huh.” I smile as I close the fridge door. Gaige is standing in the doorway looking confused.

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