“So?”
Her bottom lip starts to quiver but I refuse to play into this and allow the drama to continue. “Are you seeing someone else? Do you have a girlfriend?” Her voice cracks and she grips the coffee mug tighter.
“We aren’t dating. That’s not what this is.” I stick a toothpick in my mouth and roll it around between my teeth. “There are no other women, either.”
She sniffles and pushes her hair behind her ear. “Why can’t I come too?”
Jesus. So this must be what it’s like having a girlfriend—all these emotions and questions …
“No,” I say sternly. “I want you to stay here. I want you to eat something light around two o’clock. I’ll be home at four. Your gifts came today and I have exciting plans for us tonight. After I leave, go into the guest room. I have presents waiting there for you.”
She immediately perks up, her eyes growing wide, and a small smile creeping across her face. “Presents?”
“Yes. And by the way, you forgot the first rule.”
She tilts her head and looks at me quizzically. “Oh! The good morning kiss?”
“Yes. That.”
“We had a fight last night.”
“No, we didn’t. You had a tantrum. Let’s not start it up again, all right?” Grabbing her hip, I pull her against my body and bend down to kiss her neck. “I can’t wait ’til tonight,” I whisper into her ear.
She shivers and holds onto my arms, resting her head against my chest. “Me too,” she whispers back. “Don’t forget me while you’re gone.”
“Not a chance.” I lift her head up to face at me. “No bad moods while I’m gone, okay? Today’s going to be a good day and tonight will be amazing. Trust me.”
Picking her up, I sit her on the kitchen counter and kiss her hungrily, thoughts of what tonight will bring fueling my desire for her even more. Her legs wrap around my waist and her hands entwine around my neck. Knowing she misses me when I’m gone is a good sign.
Reluctantly, I pull away. “I better go. Be good. Try to groom the cat if you can. There’s a brush in that drawer over there.”
She giggles at me. “Okay … I think I can do that.”
***
My thoughts are consumed with Tabi, Tabi and more Tabi while I ride over to Sydni’s. I wish I could have just stayed at the house with her and not wait until tonight to see her with her gifts, but I can’t blow Sydni off. Her timing completely sucks, though.
When I get to her apartment I let myself in, as I’ve done hundreds of times.