Repeat - Kylie Scott Page 0,73
it’s no worry.”
Once I swallow what’s in my mouth, I say, “You’re a great cook.”
“Isn’t she?” Leif is all aglow.
Ah, young love/lust. I wonder if that’s what I look like when I’m ogling Ed. All happy and silly and high on life. Probably. It’s a nice way to be.
“You know, Clem, I wouldn’t complain if you wanted to start making me breakfast like this every morning,” says Ed with a sly sort of grin.
Leif just snorts while Shannon laughs.
I nod, choosing my words with care. “Here’s the thing. I have a limited amount of energy in the a.m. to expend. So ask yourself, blow job or breakfast? What do you want more?”
At this, Leif cracks up laughing too. I didn’t think it was that funny, but whatever. Two spots of pink appear high on Shannon’s cheeks. Guess mentioning oral sex over the breakfast table is a no-no.
Ed, however, considers the question. “I get to choose every morning?”
“No. Somedays I might not feel like doing either.”
He leans over, giving me a maple syrup flavored kiss. Yummy. As responses go, it’s rather great. No words are needed. It’s enthralling, all of his different types of smiles. Often the variations are quite subtle and reflected more in his eyes than his mouth. This time, it’s the one that says I’m something to be cherished. A less observant or not so Ed-centric person might mistake this expression for amusement, but it’s not. It’s more.
Inside my chest is the now familiar sensation of warmth and overabundance. As if the amount of emotion he inspires inside of me is a dam bound to burst eventually. Every time a moment such as this takes place, I’m pushed closer to the edge. What will come out of my mouth the day this happens is a little frightening. Actually, it’s terrifying. What it might mean and how he might react. But I can admit to myself that I’m no longer a stranger to falling in love or being in love or however you want to put it. He is my love. I know this now. Just as he explained last night, I want our lives entwined forever and ever and there’s little I wouldn’t do to make him happy. Frances is sort of right about me not knowing him that long. Though maybe loving him is an automatic thing for me, for this body. The not fucking it up, however, will probably take more effort.
“Seconds, Ed?” asks Shannon. “Or can I clear your plate?”
“It was great, but I’m good. You cooked; let me clean up.”
Leif scoffs. “I was just about to offer to do the dishes. You’re trying to make me look bad in front of the ladies.”
“It doesn’t take much.”
His brother flips him the bird.
When you think about it, probably best not to declare my adoration for Ed, and all the rest, at the breakfast table in front of an audience. So instead, I finish up and take my plate over to the dishwasher where he’s loading.
“Everything okay?” he asks, studying my face.
Care of practicing taking selfies for my Instagram account the other day, my carefree happy smile is at the top of its game. “Yes.”
Ed, however, pauses. “What’s on your mind?”
“Just work and stuff,” I lie.
“Okay. We’ll head off in a few, yeah?”
“Sounds good.”
Shannon is holding out a fresh cup of coffee when I turn around. “Here you go, Clem.”
“Thanks.” More caffeine is always appreciated. “And thanks again for breakfast.”
“Not a problem.” Her teeth are so white. “Are you sure you’re okay, you look a little . . . I don’t know, off? How’s your head and everything? Do they think you’ll be back to normal soon?”
Normal is long gone. But I don’t want to tell her that. “Um, no. I’m fine and my head’s healing as best it can. But the chances I’ll get my memory back aren’t great.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault.” I look elsewhere and chug down some coffee. Coffee makes everything better.
“Yeah, but . . . not knowing who you are and losing your past like that.”
“I survived.”
“Clem’s not usually big on talking about it.” Ed’s hand rubs at my shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. “Good to go?”
“Mm-hmm.”
I add my empty coffee cup to the dishwasher and give Shannon a smile before following him into the bedroom to grab my bag. Time to get the day started and getting back into routine is good. The glance he gives me over his shoulder is questioning. Good that he knows I’m not one to open