Page 71 of Feel It All

Allow me to see love isn’t always easy but forever worth it.

Be my love for I am forever yours.

“Wow, Winry. This, this is so amazing. You wrote this?” I stare at the poem, reading it again.

“Yeah, it’s not much. I liked it though,” she shrugs.

“Winry, I love it. Thank you for trusting me with this,” I take her hand in mine and interlock our fingers. “I mean it, it’s amazing, just like you.”

“Thank you, I’m glad you like it.” Her cheeks turn even more pink from blushing, and her lips turn up into a smile.

The waitress comes back over and takes our order. We fall into normal conversations, and the band starts to play some cover songs. It doesn’t take long for our food to come out and for us to clean our plates. An afternoon at the beach can really make you hungry.

Winry sways in her seat to the music. “Care to dance, buttercup?”

“Really?” Her eyes light up.

“Yeah, come on.” I take her to the front and join some of the other couples on the dance floor. I spin her around then pull her close to me. I hold one hand then place the other hand on her lower back, and we sway to the music.

“Not too bad.” Her smile is infectious.

“Hey, I can dance. You may beat me in every sport, but I’m not too bad on my feet.” I twirl her around so now her back is to my chest. I hold her there for a moment then spin her out and pull her back in.

Her head tilts back with a giggle. “I could stay like this forever. Here in your arms.”

“Good, because I don’t intend on letting you go.” I kiss her nose and dance with her as the sun sets.

Chapter 20

Winry

Myalarmblares,pullingme out of a deep sleep. I shut off my alarm and I roll over to wrap up in Graham’s warm body. He draws lazy circles on my back, and I snuggle deeper into his chest.

“Good morning, buttercup,” Graham whispers. “It’s time for you to get up.”

“No, I don’t want to,” I grumble, keeping my eyes glued shut.

“Come on, baby, you are going to be late for work.” He is still lightly rubbing my back, which is only lulling me back to sleep.

“What are they going to do, fire me?” I tighten my grip on him, refusing to get up.

“Winry,” he nudges me softly. “I don’t want you to leave either, but I also know you will blame me if you’re late. Come on, I’ll get up with you.”

“Ugh, okay…but you have stay shirtless. If I’m getting up, I want something to look at.”

Graham chuckles, “Okay baby.”

We roll out of the bed, and I head into the bathroom to get ready. I forgo a shower and just wash my face and dry shampoo my hair and throw it in a clip. I throw on some light makeup and put on a pair of biker shorts and an oversized graphic tee with the Crossroads logo on it. We are going for the semi-put-together but also comfy look.

Graham keeps his promise, remaining shirtless the entire time he watches me get ready. He catches me checking him out several times, reminding me to focus on getting ready. When I can’t seem to keep my hands to myself, he goes downstairs to fill my water tumbler and grabs me a breakfast granola bar.

Finally ready, I mosey down the stairs and find Graham lying back on the couch with his arm draped over his face. I climb on top of him and lay my head on his chest.

His arm comes around, encasing me, and he takes a deep breath. “I changed my mind, let’s go back to bed.”

“Hmm, that does sound nice. Unfortunately, I do have to go. At least you get to go back to bed.” I listen to the steady thump of his heartbeat and wish I could climb back in the bed.

“It’s not the same without you,” he mopes.

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