Page 41 of Back to Me

CHAPTER ELEVEN

SARA

Standing in front of the mirror in Graham’s bathroom, I glide my dark purple matte lipstick across my lips. It’s Graham’s favorite, and I’m hoping in some way it’ll bring me courage and luck to face today.

Eyeing his reflection in the mirror, I grin. He’s still sound asleep, the white cotton sheets wrapped around his body, his head buried in his pillow. Since I’ve been with Graham in this way, I’ve spent every single night in his room. The only time I go into my room is to get my clothes. So, after a few days, I went to the store and purchased some white sheets, insisting he needed to add some lightness to his room. Knowing how happy it would make me, he didn’t argue. Needless to say, the white sheets look good wrapped around him.

My stomach flutters, listening to the sound of his endless snoring. It’s loud and obnoxious, but so endearing at the same time. Sometimes, there will be a moment in the day where I stop and reflect on my relationship with Graham. My mind wavers between thinking about how much has changed to thinking nothing has changed at all. Well, except for the sex—that most definitely didn’t exist before we expressed our love. Now, I can’t even imagine a life without Graham. Not only is he my best friend, he’s the love of my life. I feel his love deep in my bones, down to the very last cell.

Checking myself one last time in the mirror, I spin around on my heel, standing in the doorway between the bathroom and the bedroom. This is the moment in the day where I feel it, where I feel his love burning into my skin in the most beautiful way.

Crossing the room, I bend over the bed and press my freshly painted lips to his shoulder. His eyes remain closed as he stirs under the sheets, stretching his arms out above his head. He releases a pleasurable groan, releasing the sleep from his body. My eyes dance across his body, watching the muscles of his arms and abs contract under his smooth, light skin.

Cracking one eye open, he sees me standing above him.

“Good morning,” he grins.

“Good morning, baby,” I sing.

“Today’s the day, huh?” he asks. His grin never falters as he pulls me down by my thighs. I’m wearing a tight black pencil skirt, so my legs refuse to part any further as he pulls me down to him on the bed. Gripping his shoulders, I use him as a support to prevent myself from falling over.

“Graham!” I screech. “I have to go, or else I’ll be late.”

“Ask me what I was dreaming about?” he asks, ignoring my insistence on me being late.

I smirk, brushing back the hair resting against his forehead. “What’d you dream last night?”

“I had a dream we opened our own gallery, right here in downtown.”

Gazing into his cerulean blue eyes, my stomach flutters and my heart warms. “Yeah? How was it?”

“It was amazing. We had a ton of paintings and drawings on display. We were so popular, we couldn’t keep up with the demand. Also, we lived in the apartment above the gallery.”

“Sounds very detailed,” I giggle.

“It was a very nice dream,” he hums.

“Does this have anything to do with me quitting my job today?”

“Maybe.” His mouth turns down in a frown, and his eyes shift to the left.

My chest fills with apprehension. I’m still unsure if this is the right thing to do. Ridding myself of the pain and queasiness, I turn to Graham for reassurance.

“Hey, look at me,” he says. Two strong fingers hook underneath my chin, turning my attention back to him. His warm palm rests against my cheek. Behind the blues and golds of his eyes, there’s a mixture of confidence and hope.

I sniff, not realizing the pressure of tears threatening to spill building behind my eyes. I vigorously shake my head, refusing to allow my emotions and doubt to overtake me.

“I’m fine. I’ll be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what I’m about to face. Allison. “It’s like ripping off a band-aid, right? The quicker, the better.”

“I guess so,” he laughs, wrapping his arm around my waist. Flexing his arm, he adds, “But if you need anything, call me, text me, anything. No matter how this plays out, I’ll be here for you. All you have to do is ask.”

My body relaxes, and I wish I could stay here with Graham all day. His warmth and love draw me in, filling me with a sense of confidence I hadn’t had before.

“Tell me again,” I plead.

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