Page 93 of My Silver Lining

“Thank you,” I said, looking down at my pruned fingers. “Should we get out?”

“Yeah.” He pushed to his feet, taking me with him. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before wrapping one around me and then drying off every inch of my skin.

I smiled down at him when he bent down to dry my feet. “You know I can do that myself, right?”

“I don’t doubt that for a second. I just want to do it for you.” He winked and then stunned me when he scooped me up like a baby and carried me to the bed, setting me down so my head was resting on a pillow. “Thank you for telling me what happened. Thank you for trusting me with it. I promise you, your words are safe with me.”

“I believe you,” I said as I sat up when he started to step back. “Hey, do you want to sleep in here tonight?”

“Really? Isn’t that breaking your rules?”

“I think I broke several tonight, like when I had sex with you in the dance studio and then told you my deepest secret while sitting naked in a bathtub with you. This is hardly one to be concerned about.” My teeth sank into my bottom lip. “Unless you prefer sleeping alone?”

He leaned closer, resting his forehead against mine. “I hate sleeping down the hall. It’s a really dumb rule.”

I laughed and flicked him on the shoulder.

Even though I couldn’t agree more.

Sleeping apart was a really dumb rule.

twenty-five

. . .

Rafe

Easton

Pickleball tonight, bitches. Bring your A game. Bridger, leave your shitty attitude at home. Literally and figuratively.

Bridger

I had the shits from Honey Biscuit Café. That was a valid excuse.

Edith puts too much cheese in those potatoes. I need to be near a restroom if I eat them. And we sure as hell didn’t want him dropping a steamer on the pickleball court.

Clark

You better show up today because I have a late practice and can’t be there.

Easton

What the fuck is happening to the Chad-Six? Henley and Lulu have subbed for you fuckers the last two weeks. Clark is the only one who gets a pass because he has a valid excuse.

Archer

I have to take Melody to speech therapy tonight. That’s a valid excuse.

Axel

Once again, if you had a normal nanny, you could have her take Melody to speech.

Clark

When I stopped by earlier this week to take Melody to arts and crafts class, Mrs. Dowden asked me to rub her feet while she relaxed on your recliner. What the fuck are you paying this woman for?

I agree. She asked me to do the same, and you know I have a thing with feet. I don’t like them. I barely tolerate my own.

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