Page 64 of Love Like This

“Who could have? I was just minding my own business, being akick-ass designer in a rough world, and then there, out of nowhere, youappeared in my life.” Spencer smiled and tickled Hadley’s back softly. “Did youever make those cookies for Elle?”

“Only like eight batches.”

“I’m going to buy her a boat. A yacht. I am surprised to find outthat the overly peppy girl from English class would one day change my life sodrastically.”

Hadley stared at her. “Don’t underestimate the power of peppypeople. Have I taught you nothing?”

Spencer crossed her heart. “Never again. Trust me.”

Hadley kissed the underside of her jaw. “Tell me again about youbeing the kick-ass designer in the rough world.”

Spencer laughed. “You’re making fun of me. You’re supposed to bethe nice one.” Hadley laughed as Spencer flipped their positions.

“Tomorrow we need to talk about the order and timing. Remind me.”

“I can’t believe you’re thinking about work right now.”

Hadley slid her hands between their bodies and cupped Spencer’sbreasts. “I’m a multitasker,” she murmured. “Oh! And don’t forget about themenight next week.”

Spencer opened her mouth to answer but was caught in a wave ofpleasure that silenced every part of her. Better to just enjoy the ride.

* * *

Hadley woke first the next morning and slipped out of bed, carefulnot to disrupt Spencer. That wasn’t a tall order because Spencer, she’d come tolearn, slept like the dead, especially after sex. She hopped in the shower andwent about getting herself ready for the day as Minnie Mouse looked on. “You’rea very social cat. I admire that about you,” Hadley told her. Minnie seemed toaccept the compliment and leapt onto the bathroom counter. “That’s even better.I can see you easily now and your cute black ears.” Hadley glanced around atthe same travel case she’d been lugging back and forth between Spencer’s placeand hers for the past few weeks. They hadn’t shown any signs of slowing down,so maybe she’d just leave a few of the more essential items at Spencer’s placefor convenience and duplicate them back home.

Once she was dressed and ready to take on the day, her next taskwas an easy decision: French toast before she headed into Silhouette. Shechecked in on Spencer, who smiled up at her groggily from bed. “Good morning,”she said, in her raspy, sleepy voice.

“Hey, you,” Hadley said, kissing her softly. “Feel like sleepingsome more? You can.”

“Not after I’ve seen what’s waiting for me.” She sat up and buriedher face in Hadley’s neck, wrapping her arms around her waist. “You smell sogood.”

Hadley grinned. “It’s that hibiscus shampoo you love.”

“I identify it entirely with you now.”

“Good. Gonna start some French toast if you think you have theingredients. Thoughts?”

“It’s likely. Can I help? I suck at it, but will try.”

“No need. I make killer French toast and am planning to dazzleyou. I got this,” Hadley said, proudly. “Plus, making breakfast always gets myday started right. Drives my motivation forward.”

“Then I’ll hop in the shower and meet you in the kitchen soon.Hey, I meant to ask you, want to do dinner tonight? I know a fly little placeI’ve been meaning to show you. Sangria to die for.”

“You had me at fly and sangria and you.”

“It’s a date.” They shared a final kiss and Spencer hopped out ofbed.

Hadley got to work, humming a tune as she prepped the toast andlocated the syrup and powdered sugar. As she waited for the pan to heat, sheregistered that Spencer had been out of the shower for several minutes, andwould likely be able to tell her whether she wanted orange juice or apple. Sherounded the corner to the bathroom, and saw Spencer standing there in hertowel, taking in all of Hadley’s belongings on the counter. The drawer she’dstashed some of the more important things in stood open with Spencer lookingdown into it. Concern and unease was written all over her face.

Hadley felt her face heat. “I’m sorry. I thought since I was hereso often lately, that maybe I could just leave a few things. That was stupid.”

“Oh.” A pause. “It’s not stupid,” Spencer said, attempting torecover and failing. Hadley had already seen the concerned look on her face andthat overt discomfort still lingered. She could see and feel it in everyessence of Spencer’s being, no matter how hard she tried to shove it aside.Spencer was officially freaked out.

“I shouldn’t have been presumptuous,” Hadley said, humiliated now.“I’ll just…here.” She went about organizing her things, as a hot blush spread,making her feel ridiculous. She reached across Spencer, accidentally knockingover the small bottle of perfume, which then knocked over her hairspray, whichshe clumsily snatched and shoved into her bag.

“I don’t need you to do that. It just caught me off guard.”

“No, no. I get it. Why wouldn’t it? It’s not like it’s somethingwe talked about. I made the leap and that was overzealous. I see that now.” Theembarrassment was upon Hadley in full force, and she just wanted to gather herbelongings and remove them from Spencer’s space. She was dumb to have takenthat kind of liberty.

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