Chapter Twenty-Nine
Waking up, I roll over to stretch my limbs, expecting to find a hard body next to mine, but nobody’s there.
Popping my eyes open, I feel around in the bed only to find a piece of paper on his side.
Goddess,
Got called back in. I’m sorry, and I love you. Have a good day with Aubrey, and I can’t wait to be home tonight.
<3
I frown at his empty side before I sit up and let my feet fall to the floor, bending down to grab Wyatt’s tee off the floor and slipping it over my head.
The bedroom door whips open. “Oh, thank God you’re awake! I’m starving!”
Aubrey dramatically runs and jumps on the bed, knocking me over.
“You took a pretty big risk, coming in here unannounced.” I collapse back down to the pillows with her.
“Nah, I saw that his cruiser was gone. It was a researched risk.” She giggles and slaps my thigh. “Get dressed. I need caffeine and donuts.”
“Yes ma’am.”
It only takes me five minutes to throw on a pair of shorts and brush my teeth. I run my fingers through my hair, getting most of the knots out before throwing it into a messy bun on top of my head.
Good enough.
Aubrey stands by the door, waiting with her keys in hand.
“Good lord, woman. Does Cooper just keep donuts by the bed?”
Her cheeks blush. “No. But usually I get something else when I wake up. Then food. And since he’s out there in his truck, I already got my something else.”
“Seriously?” I laugh, grabbing my purse. “He could have come in. You didn’t have to do it like horny teenagers.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
We both wave to Cooper who’s walking around the house.
“Morning, Coop,” I call out.
“Good morning!” He waves back.
“I heard it was.” Climbing into the driver’s seat, I shut the door, letting Aubrey say goodbye without an audience.
After a little-more-than-PG-13 kiss goodbye, she finally gets in the car.
“You were very rushy until you had someone’s hand up your shirt.” I raise my brow.
“What can I say?”
Shaking my head, I pull out of the driveway. Coffee is necessary if I’m going to make it through another day with this woman. She has as much energy as her daughter, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.
“So what’s on the agenda today?” I ask as I snag the last spot in front of Emerald Roasters.
“Emma and Evelyn asked if we wanted to go with them to Portland for a big shopping trip for Violet. We usually hit the bulk store and stock up once a month. You want to go or stay home?”
“Shopping? Is that even a question for me?” I laugh. I’ve curbed my shopping habits since moving here, but I’m always down for a trip.
“Good. They’ll meet us here, and we’ll go once everyone is caffeinated.”
As I close the door, I look across the street and do a double take. I swear I see James, but it doesn’t look like him at the same time?
I must be losing it. Letting the stress get to me. Kane would know if he came back.
Shaking my head, I join Aubrey on the sidewalk.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
“Yeah. I mean, I think so. I thought I saw James, but it couldn’t be him. It didn’t even really look like him. I think I’m just being paranoid.”
She looks across the street where my attention was just a moment ago. “I don’t see anything, but maybe you should tell Wyatt or Kane just in case?”
“No, it’s just me. I promise. I’m being weird.” I push open the door to Emerald Roasters. It always smells so good in here. I just want to bottle up the scent.
“Good morning, ladies! So good to start my day with the Keaton women.” Franklin greets us.
Esther and Franklin have owned this coffee shop and worked together since they were in their thirties. Their love shines to everyone who comes in, and no one misses the small moments of PDA they share when they think no one is looking.
I only hope when I’m almost eighty that I have someone like that to keep me young.
Someone like Wyatt.