Page 85 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Pick one.” I handed it to her.
She looked a little different, and it wasn’t only the hair. There was something about her that looked more relaxed. Happier. Not to mention some of the thinness had disappeared from her face. Some of the shadows had disappeared from her eyes as well.
An elaborate spine tattoo peaked out from her tank-top. She had a ladybug tattoo on one ankle and a hockey stick on the other.
I had a tattoo of two fish on my bicep, Cooter had a matching one. Also, I had a yeti face on my shoulder that I’d gotten as a rookie and had been drunk as fuck.
“Clark isn’t going to miss you, is he? He’s back?” I tried to bite back the jealousy. Was he the cause of all these changes?
“He flew back home yesterday, but he’ll return in a few weeks. I can’t wait for you two to meet. He’s letting me stay in his guest room. Which is such a relief. My housing situation got messed up, but it’s fine now.” She bit her lower lip.
“I’m glad to hear that.” I took the tea bag she picked and added it to a mug. Guest room. That must be the two-bedroom side of the building.
“What about when classes start? Are you moving into the dorms?” I asked. “I have a truck, so I can help you move.”
She shook her head. “Housing is full. I could join the waitlist, but Clark says I can stay as long as I want. Knowing you live across the hall makes thatveryattractive.”
I poured the tea. We sat down on the couch and she caught me up on her week, telling me about Squire camp, shopping, her university practices restarting, and so much more.
It made me realize a few things. Gwen had been keeping a lot from me–and rightfully so. We didn’t know each other well yet. She’d been struggling to figure out how to pay tuition and worried about where she’d live.
“Things are good now.” Gwen smiled. “I never would have thought the Knights–and the Maimers–would come through for me like that.”
“How could they not? You’re one of them. What do you still need?” I asked, glad she had the big things figured out.
“Eventually, a new backpack and some stuff for my classes. I have a few more weeks. But enough about me. I want to hear about fishing.” She finished her tea.
I told her all about our trip, showing her pictures. “I’ve got a freezer full of salmon now. One night this week I’ll make you dinner?”
“I’d like that. Can we go dancing again? I missed that.” She gave me one of her shy smiles.
“Absolutely. Before I forget, I got you a present.” I gave her the bag.
“Tens. You got me a hat.” Gwen put it on her head, smiling bright as the sun. “I love it.”
The sight of her in those pajamas, that showed the outlines of her nipples, her bare feet, and the hat made my groin tighten. She looked kissable. Lickable. Fuckable.
Yeah, I’d missed her so fucking much when I’d been gone.
“My sister is going to be playing a fair down south in a few weeks. I think we can take the ultra-bullet,” I told her.
“I’d love that. Oh, I can’t wait to meet her and hear her band.”
My sister wassocurious. I wasn’t sure what they’d make of each other. Hopefully, it would be good.
“Hey, this is so stupid, since I have camp in the morning, but do you want to watch a movie?” Her look grew shy as she bit her lower lip.
“That sounds perfect. Should I get us a snack? I only have a few things that I’d bought for the plane. I need to go shopping.” In the fridge, I found a couple beers, and I put some snacks on a tray. She might not have tried any of them.
“What are these flavors of chips? Crayfish? Cumin Lamb? Red Meat?” Gwen curiously read the packages.
“I like the spicy flavor best, but I ate them on the plane. Also, these are some of my favorite cookies.” I pushed the box toward her. “They’re matcha.” There was also a bag of salted plums and some jelly snacks.
“Oh, I’ve had these cookies before.” She opened the box and ate one. “Mmmm.”
We put on a movie, and I had fun getting her to try all the different flavors. When the movie ended, she looked about ready to pass out on my couch.
“You should go to bed,” I told her. “Are we back to our normal routine? It’s okay if your new living situation changes things.”
