Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
13
Ripley
I wake up feeling more rested than I have in a long time, my body draped around Kali’s like we’ve been sleeping together for years instead of just one night. It’s one of those perfect moments. Her head’s pillowed on my chest, one arm slung across my stomach, her breathing soft and steady. For a second, I can’t quite believe she’s really here, that last night actually happened. My heart thuds, a pleasant warmth coursing through me.
I resist the urge to pull her closer, afraid of waking her. She looks so peaceful, dark lashes resting on her cheeks, lips parted in a faint smile. Carefully, I ease out from under her arm. The mattress shifts, but she doesn’t stir, just burrows into the pillow like she’s determined to cling to the last remnants of sleep.
I slip on a pair of sweats and pad quietly into the kitchen. The sun streams through the windows, illuminating the space in a soft, golden haze. My mind flickers to Juniper, who’s still off with Hattie until this evening. Part of me wishes I could see my daughter’s reaction to Kali here, though I know we’re not quite there yet. Even so, the thought of them all together in this house makes my chest flutter with something alarmingly close to hope.
Focus, Ripley. First things first: breakfast. I scavenge the fridge, grabbing eggs, cheese, and a few veggies to whip up an omelet. My cooking skills may be questionable at times, but I’m determined to do better than scorched taco meat. The coffee pot gurgles as it brews, filling the kitchen with that comforting, rich aroma.
While the eggs sizzle in the pan, I sense movement behind me. A drowsy-eyed Kali appears in one of my T-shirts, hair mussed from sleep, and my heart nearly stops. She gives me this sleepy, lopsided grin that might just be my new favorite sight in the world.
“Morning,” she murmurs, voice husky from sleep.
I grin back. “Hey there, Sleeping Beauty. Hope you don’t mind, but I’m making you breakfast.”
Her face lights up as she pads closer. “Mind? Not at all. Smells amazing… and coffee.” She nudges her chin at the steaming pot. “Heaven.”
I hand her a mug, trying not to stare too obviously at how good she looks wearing my T-shirt, how it just barely skims her thighs. She leans against the counter, taking her first sip with a soft moan. I have to clear my throat to keep my mind from wandering back to last night.
“I was going to bring this to you in bed,” I say, flipping the omelet. “But you beat me to it.”
Kali laughs quietly, running a hand through her tousled hair. “And miss the sight of you in the kitchen? No thanks.”
A ripple of satisfaction moves through me. I finish plating up two omelets, adding a side of toast, then set them on the small table in the corner. She slides into a chair, and we eat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes.
Eventually, Kali glances around. “So, when does Juniper get back?” She looks up at me, eyes bright, genuinely curious. “I mean, I wouldn’t want her to walk in on, uh… unexpected company.”
I fight a smile. “She’ll be home this evening. Hattie’s bringing her to my game. Hattie took her out for some sort of kid-friendly adventure.” I think of how Juniper practically bounces off the walls whenever Hattie takes her on these mini-excursions. “I’m sure she’ll have a thousand stories to tell by bedtime.”
Kali’s lips curve into a softer smile. “I was thinking… I’m not umping your game today, so maybe I could come watch you play?”
My heart does a weird lurch. “You want to come to my game?”
“Yeah, of course,” she says, ducking her head a little like she’s worried about coming on too strong. “If that’s cool with you?”
I reach across the table to squeeze her hand. “I’d love to see you in the stands. I’m sure Juniper would be thrilled too. She loves showing off when we have someone special there to cheer us on.”
Kali’s cheeks flush at the word special, but she doesn’t shy away. Instead, she lifts her coffee mug in a small toast. “Then I’ll be there.”
We finish our breakfast, sharing a few smiles and lingering touches that set my nerves humming all over again. Afterward, she insists on helping me clear the dishes, washing while I dry, our arms occasionally brushing in a way that sends shivers down my spine. It’s so domestic it almost feels surreal—but I can’t deny how right it all seems.
Finally, Kali says she needs to head home and get ready for the day. We linger by the door, arms wrapped around each other, the spicy-sweet scent of her shampoo messing with my head. I can’t resist one last kiss—slow, lazy, with just enough promise to make me wish she could stay.