Page 82 of You Loved Me Once
He’s been faithful to me when he didn’t have to be. If I could go back in time, I’d slap myself for not seeing how perfect he is for me.
“Wes, you do make me happy. Come inside?”
He smiles against my lips and kisses me. “I’m more than willing to make you happy in that way too.”
“Good to know,” I laugh.
We get to the front door, and he holds me from behind, rubbing his beard against my neck, causing me to giggle. After a few more tries, I finally get the door open.
“Are you hungry?” he asks as he heads to the kitchen.
“Not really, but I won’t say no to wine,” I smile. “There’s a burger from Rich’s in the fridge,” I call out.
I went to the store yesterday because there was sour milk and some sort of science experiment that could’ve been cheese in the refrigerator. On my way back from the market, I stopped in to see Rich and get takeout. While half of what I got needs to be cooked and I’ll probably end up throwing it away, it felt nice to buy food that wasn’t made in the cafeteria.
“What’s this?” Westin asks, holding up the almond milk.
“It’s the milk you like,” I reply.
“Right, but why is it here?”
Is he crazy? He brings that stupid milk every time he stays here. “Umm, you drink it, right?”
His eyes narrow and then he goes back to the groceries. “Ren?” He holds up the six-pack of beer.
“Wes,” I shake my head. “Is that not the right kind? You drink that weird lager shit, I thought.”
He puts the beer down and leans on the counter. “Yes, but again, you got it?”
I’m not sure what the big deal is. “I was at the store so I grabbed it. Why are you looking at me like that?” I ask as his jaw hangs open a little and then turns into a grin.
And then it hits me.
I thought of him when I was stockingmyhome. He watches me as I start to piece together what has made his entire mood shift.
“Two years and you’ve never bought shit for me,” Westin says. “I’ve wondered when you were going to mess up and let me in.”
“Don’t make this weird,” I warn. “It’s milk and beer.”
He smiles and leans forward. “I knew it would happen.”
Oh Jesus. “Listen, before this goes too far, I also cleaned out a drawer.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
Might as well get this all out and done with. Westin stays here or I’m at his place pretty much every night that we have off. Because of our schedules, exchanging a key wasn’t really a big thing. It was more for convenience than some momentous moment in our relationship. He gave me a space in his bathroom for my things, but I wasn’t as giving. Not that he was surprised, but I was thinking of how to show him that I’m...all in...to whatever it is we’re doing.
Giving him some speech about what we’re doing seems silly now, but I thought havingadrawer was a nice gesture. Now, I’m a little scared.
“You know, a place you can put your stuff.”
“I know what a drawer is, but you gave me one? Here?”
“Yes,onedrawer,” I clarify. “One of the small ones.”
“In your house?”
“Well, that was the point.”
