Page 397 of The First Time
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Once again,I wake up alone.
The room is bright. The house is buzzing with conversation.
I brush my teeth, change, and head downstairs. The kitchen and living area are empty. The conversation must be in Meryl's room.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and hike up the stairs.
Soft knock.
Meryl answers. "Come in, dear. Watch your step."
I push the door open. The room is crowded. A nurse, not Vincent but a woman in her thirties, is in the corner replacing an IV. Blake sits on an ottoman. He looks perfect, the way he always does.
The nurse makes a signal to Meryl and sneaks out of the room.
Meryl pats Blake's hand. "Go eat breakfast."
"I'm fine," he says.
"And take a shower while you're at it." She makes a gesture like she thinks he stinks. "Right, Kat?"
"Absolutely."
He kisses her on the cheek. "I'll give you an hour. I love you."
"I love you, too," she says.
Funny, I've never heard anyone in the Sterling family use those words before.
They sound good.
I move aside to give Blake room to pass. His body brushes against mine, waking up all my tired nerves.
I steal his seat. "How are you feeling?"
Meryl motions to her IV. "Fantastic. This must be half morphine. I'm very comfortable."
I let out a half-laugh, half-gasp. Take a long sip of coffee to give myself time to think. "Your room is really clean."
She laughs. "That's a nice look on the bright side. I like that about you, Kat." Her voice softens. "You're so sweet to come see me."
She motions for my coffee and I hand it to her.
"Even if you're in it for the sex." Her expression fills with delight as she sips her java. "You forget the little things in life. They're what matters—the taste of a good cup of coffee, the joy of sex with someone you're mad about—"
My cheeks go bright red. "Jesus."
She laughs. "Believe me, honey. Life moves so fast. You've been busy surviving, I know, but you can't forget the little things."
"Please, no more about sex," I say.
She returns my cup of coffee. "Okay, the cherry blossoms in the spring. You must love those to plan your wedding around them." She folds her hands. "Have you reconsidered marrying Blake?"
"I suppose this is what it would be like if my mom was around—she'd be pestering me about when I was getting married."
Meryl smiles. "I like you together, but you have to follow your heart. I should have done that. I never would have married Orson."
