Page 54 of Fight
"But I asked first, so spill."
"Something woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep.I decided to go for a run before leaving for work, but when I stepped out my door, I saw your light on, so I came up to check on you."
I flopped down onto the couch before responding."Freaking dream woke me again, and instead of tossing and turning until the alarm went off - again, I decided to get up and do something."
"Smells like your 'something', turned out to be cooking."He sat down beside me and set his hand on my thigh.
"Yeah, nothing else sounded good for breakfast, and I had plenty of time.I figure I'll take some into the office and share."
He sniffed softly."Almond and...something.I'm not placing the other scent."
"Almond poppy seed."
Devon raised his eyebrows."Mix or scratch?"
"Scratch."
He closed his eyes and groaned softly."You wouldn't happen to have any extra you'd be willing to share with a bachelor living off take out and his own cooking, would you?"
I laughed at the way he poured it on thick."Have I ever denied you food?"I stood up and reached for his hand, "Come on, I have a batch already done."I pulled him to his feet and we went into the kitchen.
I pulled a stick of butter out of the fridge and set it on the table, then handed a plate to Devon so he could help himself to the muffins sitting on a platter on the table.
"I was thinking while I mixed these up this morning."I started.
"About what?"Devon asked, peeling the paper off a muffin.
"I wondered why we're sleeping alone." Devon looked up from the muffin he was eating."I mean we've been sleeping together for a couple of weeks, but we almost never actually sleep together, if you know what I mean."
"I get it."He nodded, setting his muffin on the plate in front of him."I just assumed you wanted your space."
I thought about it for a second."I do, kind of."I took a deep breath and let it out slowly."I'm not ready for the commitment of moving in with each other, but neither of us have been sleeping well.It occurred to me this morning that if you were here, I'd likely have no trouble getting back to sleep."
"I guess that makes sense."He picked up his muffin again."Does this mean you're inviting me to spend the night?"
I glanced at the timer then bent to speak softly into his ear."I guess it does.Don't bother with pajamas."I smiled as I stood up and reached for the hot pads.I pulled the hot pan out of the oven and set it down as the timer started beeping. I slid the last pan into the hot oven before closing the door and resetting the timer.
"I have to get up early."He warned.
"I don't, but I still think I'll sleep better if you're beside me."
"All right, you're on.I'll bring dinner when I get off tonight."He grinned up at me for a split second."Get off work that is."
I shook my head at him while I pulled the finished muffins from the tin and set them on the platter from the table to cool.
After Devon left, I finished getting ready for work, packaging up some of the muffins and taking them into work with me.I had a list of errands I needed to run today, things I'd been putting off all week, for fear of running into Brandon.Since that wouldn't be an issue any longer, I planned on getting them done today.
I opened the office and got everything running, briefed the Dean on his schedule for the morning.I told him I would be out of the office, running the errands that had built up all week, in case he needed me.I gathered the things I needed to deliver, or get signatures on and left the office with several stops planned.
I was almost done with my errands, I'd already stopped at the Mayor's office and gotten his endorsement for a construction project on campus and I'd gone to the nearby city of Safford and spoken with the city manager and mayor about several things.I was on my way to pick up lunch for Mr.Willowby and myself, when I walked out to my car and found another envelope under the driver's side wiper.
I looked around, trying to spot anyone out of place or anyone I recognized at all.I saw several people I knew, but they were people who should have been there.I thumbed the lock on the car door and put my papers inside before digging out my PCD.
I quickly dialed Raine.
"Are you busy?"I asked, as soon as he answered.
"I'm on duty, what do you need?"
