Page 50 of A Little Luck

“It’s perfect.” I sit higher in the bed, but when the blanket drops, my insides freeze.

I look down to see my upper rib cage is exposed. He’s at my side, and I snatch the garment, turning quickly away as I pull it over my head as fast as I can.

“Don’t spill the tray.” He chuckles, leaning forward to catch our breakfast. “You know we had sex last night, right?”

“I know.” A nervous laugh rattles my chest.

He’s studying me curiously, and I hold up my arms. “It’s so big.”

“That’s what she said,” he teases, straightening everything while I roll up the sleeves.

I dip my nose into the collar inhaling deeply his warm sandalwood and citrus scent. That was a close call, but he didn’t see anything. I’m still safe.

Climbing onto the bed beside me, he lifts the small paper bag. “Special delivery.”

I squint-smile up at him before unrolling the top. “What is this?” When I look inside, my heart melts, and a real smile splits my cheeks. “You did not…”

I take out the peanut butter-Oreo cupcake with chocolate frosting on top. We discovered them a long time ago at a small, local grocery between Eureka and Kiawah—back when we were in high school, when we lived at the beach all summer long watching the guys surf. The store owner’s wife makes them, and I could never get enough.

“Not too much peanut butter to overwhelm the chocolate.” He smiles. “It’s your favorite.”

You’re my favorite.

I take a bite of the delicious pastry, closing my eyes as deliciousness fills my mouth. “Mmph… so good.”

Our eyes meet, and I want to tell him so much. Instead, I take the mini Oreo off the top and bite half of it, holding out the other half to him.

“You sure?” he teases, opening his mouth as I slip it past straight white teeth onto his tongue.

“How were you able to get over there and back before I woke up?”

“I was very focused.” He lifts the paper off the tray. “Now, what the hell is in this paper? You really sold it last night, I gotta say.”

“That’s my job.” I can’t help a laugh. Between the cupcake and him my stomach is a fizzy bubble of happiness. “Everybody thinks Eureka is this sleepy, quiet town where nothing ever happens, and they’re wrong.”

“That’s what my mom always says.” He holds the paper folded in half and reads aloud from above the fold. “‘Bo the Dog Makes a Nutritious Snack’” His curious blue eyes meet mine, and a brow arches. “Interesting take on the mayor’s race. What’s this? ‘Red Tape Holds Up Church Bell’?”

The smile melts right off my face, and my fizzy bubble of happiness explodes. “What the hell?”

His eyes brim with laughter as he returns to the stories below the fold. “‘Enraged Pig Injures Pickler with Hoe’... ‘Sheriff to Run Down Jaywalkers’... Aiden’s going to love that.”

“Give it to me!” I snatch the paper from him, scanning the front page as cold realization creeps up my neck. “Mom!” I shriek.

Adam leans on the pillow beside me. “You’ve gotten very creative with your headlines while I was gone.”

“Oh, no.” I bury my face in newsprint wanting to die.

He rubs my shoulder. “What happened? Did you try AI or something?”

Slamming the publication down, I fall back against the headboard. “Mom said she’d help me. I was drowning in work and Ryan and wedding planning, and this dog-mayor thing happened late on Friday and I wanted to get it in today’s edition, because it’s our highest circulation…” I drop my face with a wail. “It never occurred to me to check after her.”

“I didn’t realize your mom had such a great sense of humor.” He continues reading. “Tornado hits cemetery; No survivors.”

“Oh my Goooood!” I jerk the blanket over my head and curl into the fetal position. “I’ve worked so hard for theGazetteto be taken seriously, and now this!”

The sound of the tray being moved off the bed precedes Adam sliding under the covers behind me. His large body curls around mine, and he wraps a muscled arm over my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.

“I bet nobody notices.” His voice is warm, but it has the opposite effect.

---