Page 11 of Fall In Love With Me (Fall In Love Again)

Her doe eyes peer up at me and she gives me the sweetest simper. “I may have to make a handyman call for that one of these days then,” she half jokes although there’s nothing about her gaze that holds humor.

Choosing to let it be, I turn my attention back to the show neither of us are watching. This late at night, with the empty takeout boxes still on the table, both of us are doing what we’ve been doing: pretending not to be dog tired just so we can stay up a little longer together.

Her back to my front, cuddled up and lying down on the sofa.

I kiss her shoulder and smirk when she shivers like I knew she would. Whispering, I tell her, “I’ve got to get going, baby.”

She hums in protest with a pout, but pushes away the small throw blanket like she’s going to get up.

“Where’s your wrench?” she asks me before holding back a yawn. I see it, though. She adds before I can answer, “I’m going to go break something.”

A rough chuckle leaves me and her face lights up with that gorgeous smile.

“That smirk of yours is wicked,” I tell her and she blushes. I fucking love what I do to her … and what she does to me.

The days are bleeding together and if there’s one thing I’d like to change, it’s this part right here. The part where I give her a goodnight kiss and leave.

There’s not a part of me that doesn’t want to lay her to sleep in bed, like her man should.

Like I should.

* * *

Aubrey

I don’t thinkI’ve ever wanted someone in my bed overnight. Not a moment has existed where I’ve thought:I’d like to share and I definitely won’t regret not being able to cocoon myself in my comforter or spawl out.But every night he leaves, there’s an emptiness I can’t shake.

When I lie down, I imagine what it would be like to share the bed with him and sleep soundly in his arms. My eyes close as the front door shuts and that’s all I see: the image of the two of us, sleeping together. Actually sleeping.

Peeking out of the peephole, I watch him take his time walking to his car. He peers over his shoulder, looking back with his keys in his hand and I know he can’t see me, but I wish he could.

If he could, I think he’d ask if I want him to stay.

He lingers more and more each time he leaves and the invitation is on the tip of my tongue. Taking a step back, I let out a deep breath and cross my arms over my chest. I know how it will happen, though.

He stays a night, maybe a couple in a row.

And then either we’re sick of each other and need space, or it’s a full-blown “come move in with me” situation.

I’m not sure which way it’ll go and my nerves eat away at me, dreading that if we move to that next step, it could lead to a split. That’s the last thing I want, but I don’t think I can stand here one more time and watch him leave me.

I don’t know what it is about tonight, but my heart pounds and I can’t just stay here, pacing in my foyer, thinking about all the what-ifs.

I’ll never know if I don’t take the leap.

Ripping open the door, I ready myself to run out in the dark night lit only by the full moon and stop him. To call out his name, hoping he sees and hears me before he drives off.

I’m so prepared and determined that when I open the door, I’m shocked to see him standing there on the bottom step, keys in his hands still, with a look in his eyes that tells me he’s just as shocked.

My heart rages and my body heats as he smirks up at me and says, “Bree baby?”

“Did you leave something?” I question him breathlessly, wondering why he came back.

“I think I did.” His charming smile widens and he slips his hands into his dress slacks as he stands a few steps away. “Did you have something you needed to … say or ask?” he questions and I swear I’ve never been more in love. The ease between us, the look in his eyes. There’s a spark I pray never goes away.

“Stay the night?”

“Isn’t that a little serious?” he asks in a playful tone, taking a single step forward, but still too far away for my liking. I venture a step outside, standing under the porch light.

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