Page 47 of A Childhood Crush

“I’ll get started,” I said. “Take your time. Go back to sleep if you want.”

“Can I take a quick shower?”

“Go ahead. You know where everything is.”

I pulled on some underwear and went to the kitchen. I pulled out the coffee, taking a deep breath and inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee beans. I started a pot and hit the button to open the automatic blinds. It wasn’t exactly a pretty day outside, but in my current state, everything looked beautiful.

I grabbed some eggs, bacon, and bread from the fridge and pantry, and began to cook. As the bacon sizzled and the eggs started to fry, I thought about how lucky I was to have such an amazing woman in my life. I knew she was going to think I was crazy, but I was ready for the next chapter. I knew she was the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life like I knew the sky was blue.

I quickly flipped the eggs and put a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. I wanted everything to be perfect for her. I poured her a glass of orange juice and set it on the table. I didn’t normally take the time to make a big breakfast but I had the time this morning.

As the breakfast came together, I was excited to see her reaction. I called out to her to let her know that breakfast was ready. She walked into the kitchen with her wet hair hanging over one of my T-shirts that she had helped herself to.

“Damn, that’s one hell of a sight,” I breathed. “You’re fucking hot.”

She laughed. “I didn’t think you would mind.”

“Definitely not,” I said.

I pulled out a chair for her and served up the breakfast, making sure to include all of her favorite things. We sat down and started to eat, chatting and enjoying the leisurely morning. I planned on doing this very thing for her as often as she would let me. I wanted to spoil her.

“This is so good,” she said. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I replied with a bright smile.

After we finished eating, she insisted on cleaning up the kitchen while I showered. I let myself imagine what it would be like to do this every morning. Obviously, if I wanted to enjoy the leisurely breakfast, I would have to get up a lot earlier, but a lazy Sunday morning would be good enough. Every other day we could sip coffee while we got ready for the day. Life was damn good.

ChapterTwenty

Emmy

Isat on the park bench, enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face and the breeze blowing through my hair. I was basking in some fresh air before I had to sit down and get back to work. The walk through the park was a way to jog my creative juices. I worked a few hours that morning, but I needed a change. My laptop was in my briefcase next to my feet. I had worked at my tiny apartment for a bit but I had to admit, Luke’s place was much more conducive to getting work done.

A few nights ago, Luke had walked me to my door only to find someone had broken into my apartment. My fancy coffee machine, TV, and a few other things had been stolen. Apparently, someone had gone on a shopping spree in the building. My apartment was one of ten that had been broken into. Luke had of course freaked out. He didn’t want me staying at my place anymore. He was convinced it was time for me to move in with him.

I could admit the break-in was a little unnerving. I gave notice to my landlord. This morning, I had been there packing up the few things I had and got hit with a wave of creativity. I sat down to work and then lost all interest in packing. It was a job I would tackle tomorrow. I was going back to Luke’s to work and then make dinner for him. The last couple of weeks we had fallen into an easy routine. He went to work and I stayed at his place and worked. We had dinner together, watched some TV, and then went to bed. It wasn’t exactly exciting, but we didn’t need exciting. I liked what we had. It was perfect.

I watched the children playing, and the couples walking hand-in-hand, and my thoughts drifted to my new relationship with Luke. It’s only been a couple of weeks, but it felt like we’d known each other forever. We shared the same interests, values, and sense of humor. He made me laugh like no one else could, and he always knew how to brighten my day. That was the perk of actually knowing him for most of my life. He knew me so well.

I thought back to our first date and how difficult it had been to get to that point. We made it. We overcame the miscommunication and managed to tell each other how we truly felt. Since then, we’d been inseparable.

It wasn’t just the fun times that made me happy, though. It was the way he listened to me when I needed to vent about my family or my frustration over my lack of work. I loved the way he supported me in my dreams, and the way he always put me first. He was the best man any woman could want, and I had him.

I could see a future with him, one filled with laughter, love, and adventure. I imagined traveling the world together, starting a family, and growing old, hand-in-hand. It all seemed so possible with him by my side. I smiled to myself, feeling grateful for this new chapter in my life. I never thought I’d find someone like Luke, but here he was, making me happier than I ever thought possible. I knew there would be challenges ahead, but I was confident we could and would face them together.

I stood up to leave the park and spotted a puppy running toward me with a leash trailing behind it. “Oh no,” I said and sprang into action. I snatched the leash. “Where are you going, mister?” I asked. I lifted up the pup, who looked to be a Labrador, to check whether it was a boy or girl. “Yep, you’re a little mister. Where’s your owner?”

I looked around the park but didn’t see anyone chasing the puppy. I picked up my laptop bag and started back in the direction the puppy ran from. I saw a young woman pushing a stroller and looking frantic. I had a feeling I had found my puppy owner.

I waved at her. The moment she saw the wriggling puppy in my arms, her relief was obvious. “Oh, my gosh! Thank you!”

“I take it he belongs to you?”

She shook her head. “I’m going to kill my husband. He thought it would be so cute for our son to grow up with a puppy. He had these Hallmark images in his head of our son and his faithful companion hanging out and going fishing and all that crap. He seemed to forget the part that puppies are no joke. Add that to a six-month-old and my life is hell.”

I laughed. “I bet. He’s a cute pup.”

She curled her lip and took the dog back. “He’s making me crazy. I thought an infant was difficult, but this dog is next level.”

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