Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 401(@200wpm)___ 321(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
I rested my cheek on his knee as I got my breaths under control, and he stroked my hair.
Finally, I stood to wet some paper towels and clean up the floor.
Once we’d wiped away all the evidence and our clothes were back in place, we relaxed on the couch with a movie, but I doubted either of us knew what it was about. When his head started bobbing, I realized how exhausted I was too. Just five minutes. I’d shut my eyes for five minutes, then tell him he needed to go.
Before I knew it, we were being woken up by a soft hand and a familiar voice. “Lark, honey. It’s late.”
I blinked open my eyes and felt the weight of Henry’s head on my shoulder. “Oh shoot, you’re right.”
Henry stiffened beside me, no doubt regretting falling asleep. “I’m sorry, I meant to take off.”
“I didn’t know you were having company,” Mom said in a singsong voice.
“Neither did I. It just…happened,” I replied, trying to clear my groggy thoughts.
Henry’s face flushed, and he looked away.
“Well, it’s nice to see you, Henry.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He stood and stretched, his clothes a bit crumpled, as were mine. I hoped Mom wouldn’t get the wrong idea. “I should get going.”
“Why not eat a doughnut first?” Mom held up a white paper bag. “I brought them warm from work.”
Mom always surprised us with sweets on the weekends—cupcakes, pie, doughnuts, you name it. They were made by a local baker, delivered to the diner the night before, to be served first thing in the morning, and always delicious. When she opened the bag, I nearly drooled as the scent of sugar wafted through the room.
Obviously, Henry enjoyed it too because his stomach growled on cue.
Mom laughed as she drew out a classic glazed. “Someone wants sweets.”
“Well, if you insist,” he replied, accepting the offering. “Where do you work?”
She pointed to the Shorty’s Diner logo on her shirt.
“I think I’ve been there once.” He took a bite of his doughnut and moaned. “So good.”
“Right?” I scarfed down my own, then reached for some napkins. “They have pretty good food.”
“You’ll have to come for dinner sometime and sit in my section.” Mom gave me a knowing look that made my stomach feel unsettled. Maybe doughnuts after midnight were not a good idea after all. “Well, I’m headed to bed. It’s been a long night.”
When she left the room, we finished our doughnuts and threw out our napkins. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
We stepped out into the cool night air. The moon was bright in the sky as the wind nipped at my skin.
“Thanks for a great night. Hope your mom isn’t mad you had a visitor.”
“Are you kidding? She’s thrilled we’ve reconnected and become friends.”
“That makes two of us,” he replied, his eyelashes brushing his cheeks. “Night.”
I watched him walk toward the lot where I assumed he’d parked, then headed back inside, feeling strange but good. Really good. Which was wholly dangerous where he was concerned.
I climbed into bed, but it was hard to get to sleep as I relived every moment tonight from the coloring to the roof and then what happened on the couch. Damn.
In the morning Mom was awake before me, watching the news and sipping coffee. “Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.” I shuffled to the pot of coffee and poured myself a cup.
“I’m fine with you inviting friends over, especially—”
“I didn’t invite him. He just showed up, which was obviously a surprise.”
“Like I said, maybe he needed a friend”—she arched a brow—“and enjoys your company.”
“Oh my God, stop. It’s too early for this.”
She laughed. “It was a sweet picture when I came in. Snuggling is the best.”
“I like snuggling,” Star announced, padding into the room in her fluffy unicorn slippers.
“I especially like my little Starling’s snuggles.” Mom lifted Star up and kissed her cheek.
“Hey, I’m not little,” Star said, squirming.
“You’re right. You’re becoming my big girl now,” Mom replied, and I could see the melancholy in her gaze. Sometimes she complained that life went by too fast. “Who wants pancakes?”
“I do!” Star shouted as Mom set her on the floor.
“I can help,” I said, heading toward the fridge.
“Sit your butt down. You help plenty,” she said with a sharp look.
So I played with Star and her dolls on the area rug while Mom cooked breakfast. She especially loved to pretend they were ballerinas, and sometimes we played dress-up too. Though she was never interested in any formal training, she still wanted me to teach her all my moves. Fine by me.
By the time the pancakes were ready, I was famished. I slathered my stack with plenty of butter and syrup and found myself wondering how Henry took his. Whereas before I could never have imagined Henry sitting at this table with us, after last night, everything seemed different.