Page 41 of Fall Twice

I throw a blanket on Oscar and kneel down, picking up his pumpkin. “Let me investigate this stash, then you can have one piece before bedtime in half an hour.”

“Okay, Mom, but don’t eat my Butterfinger.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I ruffle his hair with my fingers.

Reid has a glass of wine and stands next to the counter with Annie. I pour the contents of the pumpkin onto the counter, and we all study the candy.

“Looks legit to me,” Annie comments.

I grab a box of gummies and begin to attack it. “Completely, and he hates these, so they’re mine.”

“I have to say that it’s kind of crazy seeing you both in the same room after all these years. Watch this one for me.” Annie throws a thumb in my direction. “She can cook a mean lasagna, and I know it won’t be long before someone wants her number to romance her. I’m sure you can assess if they have good intentions or not,friend.” She smiles but the undertone of her sentence is enough to make me feel like this was a bad idea, to have us all under one roof.

Reid takes it in good stride, but I notice he adjusts his neck slightly. “Absolutely.”

Luckily, for the next half-hour, we are able to talk about things to do in Chicago, and Annie tells us about her upcoming presentation for a research group she managed. When it’s time for Oscar to go to bed, Annie offers to help him get ready, and Reid mentions that he’s heading out.

“I’ll walk you to the door,” I offer.

I slide my glass of wine to the side and follow him, stopping when he waves goodbye to Oscar, and then we resume our journey. When the door opens, I feel equal parts disappointment that he’s leaving and excitement, as if we are a step closer to an unknown destination.

He soothes me with strokes of his fingertips up my arm. “Enjoy catching up with Annie.”

“I will. Thank you for stopping by. I guess we’re even on the surprise-visitor front.”

“Why, did you have plans if it was just you and me?” He’s trying to coax me or entice me, all easy to do.

I feel my face turn warm, and I glance down at his hand on me. “I guess I would have offered for you to stay and watch a movie or something.”

“Something,” he echoes in a gruff voice.

I really wish I had more faith in divine intervention, as right now my thoughts are too impure and I need a rescue. I feel my body tingle in need for him to touch me, hold me, kiss me, as if it’s the only thing that will end this confusion.

“Thanks for inviting me. I haven’t gone trick-or-treating, well, I don’t think since I was a kid. Goes on the list of all the things I wasn’t expecting lately.”

The corner of my mouth tugs. “I guess we have a habit of doing that to one another lately. Unexpected things.”

He steps closer, and our bodies align, only an inch apart. I can feel his breath, smell his scent, and I swear I can sense his pulse. Reid breathes in my hair as my hands hang by my sides and our fingertips touch. “Good night.” His lips nuzzle along my forehead, and I feel like my entire center has lost gravity.

Then I remember. “Tomorrow.” The word falls off my tongue. “Annie will be with Oscar; can I stop by?”

A soft grunt sounds from the back of his throat. “I hope you do.”

My heart is hammering at my chest, and his eyes make it feel as though he’s hunting me. When he steps back, I know that tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

14

LENA

Before I have a chance to knock, Reid opens the door, and we stare at one another. He’s in jeans and a t-shirt, I’m in a skirt with tights and a sweater.

“Morning.” I hold up a bag of bagels.

“Morning.” He looks hungry and not for the food.

I feel my heart pounding in my chest.

One. Two. Three.

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