Page 98 of A Me and Him Thing
Chapter Twenty-seven
WHEN I WAKEup the next morning, I’m wrapped up in a soft, fluffy comforter on Ren’s (replaced) couch. I now understand why Jack insisted on a new couch for Ren’s home. It didn’t have anything to do with comfort.
Ren’s lounging on the other end of the couch, watching me wake up, a thoughtful expression on his refreshed face.
He’d wanted me to take the guest room. I’d refused and took the couch. Ren needed sleep. There was no way we could have driven back to Portland last night. He was beyond exhausted, mentally and physically. Last night was rough.
I was much too tired to drive as well. So we stayed at his home. He gave me one of his shirts to sleep in. The smell of his divine cologne made me feel close to him all night long.
“You doing okay?” It feels like a dumb question. He just found out his wife was cheating on him. Of course he’s not okay.
“I’m all right. It all happened so many years ago. So much has changed since then. I feel…detached. Like it didn’t happen to me.”
The truth will hit him eventually. He’ll need time to process. “I’m here for you.”
“You’re cute in the morning,” Ren says, changing the subject. “I like the whole ‘just woke up’ look on you.”
Ren looks like his handsome self again. A night of sleep did him wonders. He’s still in sweats and a t-shirt, relaxed and gorgeous.
A glance at the clock tells me it’s going on noon. We overslept, but it was needed. Good thing I sent an email late last night before I went to bed to let work know I wouldn’t be in today. “You’re not so bad yourself, Chambers.”
“I could get used to this.”
Me too. Every day for the rest of our lives. “Sounds good to me.” I stretch like a content cat. “Where is everyone?”
“The kids are at school. My parents are working on personal business in the office until you and I wake up. Mom’s going to make brunch. We’ll discuss what we plan to do next then. Try to figure out if it’s even possible that Curtis could be drugging Allie. It feels crazy, but I have to know.”
My face contorts with worry. “I’m sorry I thought the worst of your dad. I can’t apologize enough.”
“Don’t apologize. I thought the same thing. The evidence was there. I’m glad it wasn’t what we thought.”
“Me too. I love your mom and dad.”
“You know what, Bree? I loveyou. Yes,you. All of you. I love your mistakes and what you learned from them. I love your desire to change. I love the way you love. Once you fall, you love hard. I want to be loved like that.”
“You know what, Ren? You are loved like that. By me. I’ve never fallen so hard.”
Ren blinks long and slow. He’s not letting on, but I know he’s devastated by the news he heard last night. He needs to know he’s loved.
“You love me that much?”
“I do. I love you so hard. I can’t wait to show you how much I love you.”
“No one has ever said that to me before.”
“No one?” Obviously, I’m referring to Allison.
“Never.”
“Do you like it?” If I tell him what’s really in my heart, he’d be blushing.
“I love it. Don’t stop.”
That velvety voice of his makes my insides feel like they’re melting. As though they were made of ice. And he melted me.
Actually, he did.
Jack clears his throat from the direction of the kitchen. “Just thought I ought to make my presence known before your love fest gets any sweeter and I get cavities.”
