Page 37 of Love on the Waiver Wire

Before I know it lunch rolls around, and I go about my day as I normally would, but all the while all too aware of the warm and fuzzy feeling in the pit of my stomach about what’s to come.

* * *

Owen is at my door at six on the dot, a bag of peach rings in hand despite me not painting tonight. He sits them on the counter, letting me know they’re for my workday tomorrow.

I had changed into a pair of shorts and an oversized sweater I’m pretty sure I stole from my dad moments before he texted me, and the way he looks at me makes me wish I put in more effort.

“Are tacos okay for you?” I ask him, filling a glass of water.

He places a bag on the counter, pulling out a variety of other snacks as I push the glass to him before grabbing one for me. “I’m always down for tacos,” he tells me with a smile. “So what are we doing tonight?” he looks around, noticing that I moved the couch around so that the ottoman is in the center, fluffy blankets stacked on top. More pillows line it too, a couple of candles lit around the room. “Whoa, I didn’t think we were there yet,” he looks at me, his eyes wide.

I smile, shaking my head. “We’re watching tv.”

“What?”

I shrug. “I thought it would be a great punishment. Guess what we’re watching.”

“Is it a movie?”

“No.”

He thinks for a minute, running his hand through his shaggy hair as he tilts his head back. “Okay I don’t know.”

“You, my friend, are watching the Real Housewives with me.”

His face twists, but he tries to hide it. A smile spreads across my face as I watch him start to fidget. “I just want to tell you that this was your idea you know. You were the one who wanted punishments.”

He looks around, almost as if looking for a way out. “Yeah, the Real Housewives is kind of like torture though, isn’t it? Cruel and unusual punishment? Yeah I think it counts as that.”

I round the counter and smack his arm, and as I pull away, he grabs me, pulling me into a hug.

It’s the first hug we’ve shared.

And his body is so hard.

His chest and arms I mean. Though I wouldn’t be completely opposed to checking if the other part of him is too.

His cheek comes to my head as I stand stunned. “I hope you had a good day,” he says, pulling me tighter. It’s like I can feel every muscle in his body. His strong arms wrapped around me, the scent of him—a woodsy scent that feels almost out of place on him—enveloping me in a cloud of euphoria.

“I hope you did too,” I say quietly, finally returning the hug. He pulls away, heading to the couch.

“Did you order dinner yet?”

I shake my head. “Not yet. I was waiting to see what you wanted.”

“I’m good with anything.”

“Okay well let’s go with this. Steak or chicken?”

He only has to think for a second. “I think steak.”

“Do you want any sides?”

“I’d be down for some salsa.”

I nod, adding everything to my cart. “Alright, it’ll be here in thirty minutes.” I inform him, grabbing my water and heading over to sit beside him. “Let’s get the show started!”

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