Chapter 5
Elizabeth
A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS TIME
I watch Nate walk away from me and make his way down the steps.
Turning back to look at the bedroom, I take in the queen-size bed sitting in the middle of the room framed by a gray headboard with brown undertones, coupled with matching nightstands.
A lamp sits on one of them and the other is bare.
The shades are halfway drawn. I use my foot to kick the carry-on into the corner of the room.
Looking through the bag that my mother packed, I snatch out a pair of pj’s before dragging my ass to the bathroom.
“Did you have a party while I was out?” I hear Nate speaking and then I hear the dog bark back at him, as if he’s answering his question.
I step into the bathroom and turn on the light. I yell when I see something gray runs right past me over the tops of my feet. “You okay up there?” I look out of the bathroom and down the steps to see Nate, holding on to the wall with one hand and the banister with the other.
“There was something in here.” I turn around in a circle, searching for where it went. The door is open to another bedroom right before the bathroom. “It was gray. I think it might have been a rat. Could be a raccoon.”
He laughs and my body shivers at his rumble. “That’s Baby Cat,” he informs me. “His name is Ghost but he’s the baby of the cats, so I just call him Baby Cat.”
“How many animals do you have?” I ask him.
“Two cats and the dog. I would have more but—”
“Spoken like a true vet,” I tease him as I turn back to the bathroom and shut the door.
I open the glass shower door before starting the water.
My hand is out to test to make sure it’s the right temperature and I’m about to undress when I remember my toiletry bag.
“Fuck,” I swear, walking back into the bedroom and to my carry-on.
The small white toiletry bag with little blue flowers all over it sits near the top.
Thank God I packed it in my carry-on since it’s filled with the essentials, as well as my toothbrush and my toothpaste.
When I go back into the bathroom, the gray cat is sitting on top of my pj’s on the counter. “Hi, Baby Cat,” I say closing the door and then undressing. “You can sit on those, but when I get out, I’m going to need you to find someplace else to sleep.”
The shower feels like heaven. I hold my head back and let the warm water run over my face.
A tired itchiness fills my eyes, and my eyelids are getting heavier and heavier, making them hard to keep open.
I walk out of the shower and find the cat is now sitting on the clothes I just took off.
I dry myself off just enough to slip on the black boxer shorts and yellow tank top.
I turn on the water at the sink before putting toothpaste on my toothbrush and then putting it in my mouth, moaning when I taste the mint on my tongue.
I have just enough energy to comb through my hair and grab my clothes, finally ready to walk out of the bathroom and climb into bed.
The lights are still on downstairs and I just walk into the room and toss my clothes on top of my bag.
Walking over to the bed, I see Baby Cat there now.
“Okay, so I’m going to bed,” I tell the cat, “and you can stay or you can go.” The cat just looks at me as I move the covers and get under them.
“Good night,” I tell the cat, who’s stretched out on his side and not even bothering with me.
My body relaxes into the bed. I think it takes me less than ten seconds to fall asleep.
I don’t even know how long I’ve been asleep, when my eyes flutter open.
I feel heat enveloping the top of my head.
When I look up, I see that Baby Cat is sleeping on my pillow, literally around my head.
“Um, we are going to have to talk about invading one another’s space,” I inform the cat, who opens his eyes and then closes them back down as he sinks deeper into the pillow.
I look toward the bedroom door, finding it’s closed almost all the way but with just enough space for the cat to come and go.
I lift my arm up to check my watch and the black screen greets me.
“Great, I don’t even know what time it is.
” I look over toward the shades to see the light coming in from around the curtains.
My bladder now makes it known that it needs to be emptied.
I toss the covers off me, get out of bed, and tiptoe to the door to see Nate’s bedroom door open but the room still dark.
I move as quietly as I can to the bathroom, not turning on the light until I quietly shut the door behind me.
I go to the bathroom, washing my hands and my face before brushing my teeth.
When I turn off the light and open the bathroom door, I hear noises coming from downstairs.
I awkwardly make my way down to the kitchen.
I walk down the steps and down the long hallway, noticing there is not one picture hanging on the walls.
I wonder why that is, then I remind myself I shouldn’t care about anything involving Nate.
The hallway opens to the kitchen and dining room area on one side and the family room on the other.
Two big floor-to-ceiling windows are on either side of the fireplace that has a television mounted above it, facing the light gray couch with a circle ottoman in the middle on a light gray plush rug.
“Good morning,” I mumble when I turn and see Nate behind the island starting the coffee.
He is wearing shorts and a T-shirt. His hair sticking up from sleep.
“Did I wake you?” I ask him and then the sound of scratching makes me look past the dining room table that is right in front of the kitchen, toward the back door where Whiskey is waiting to come in.
I walk to the door and open, the cold air sweeping in as soon as I open it and he comes in.
“It’s freaking cold out there.” I shiver, as Whiskey steps inside.
He excitedly goes around my legs in a circle and then between them, his tail slapping me at the same time.
“Good morning,” I greet him, leaning down and rubbing his soft neck.
“I guess it isn’t too cold for you out there,” I mention when I touch the cool air clinging to his fur.
“What time is it?” I look up to see Nate leaning against the back counter, one hand outstretched beside him while the other hand holds a cup of coffee in his hand.
“Almost nine.”
“Shit.” I get up. “I slept for twelve hours.”
“Just about,” he says as I walk toward the dark-gray, almost black, island with the double sinks in the middle of it. “I take it the bed was comfortable.”
I nod at him. “I woke up with Baby Cat on my head,” I tell him and he smirks.
“He feels comfortable with you,” he replies to me. “He has never gone in that room before.”
“Good to know,” I mumble. “I thought I was sleeping on his bed at one point.”
“Would you like coffee?” he asks me.
I pull out one of the light-gray fabric stools and slide on it.
“I would love coffee,” I answer him as he walks over to the side counter right next to the fridge, where the coffee machine is.
Opening the cabinet right on top, he grabs a mug before filling it.
“Milk?” he asks me, and I nod my head as he walks to his white fridge with brass handles, pulling it open.
The fridge and stove are the same color, matching the top cabinets, but the bottom cabinets are a soft walnut color.
The black counters and the backsplash make the colors brighter.
Whiskey walks into the kitchen, following Nate around before lying at his feet.
He hands me the coffee and I reach out for it. “Do you want a robe?” he asks me, and my eyebrows pinch together.
“A robe?” I ask him confused as he looks around me but not at me.
“You’re naked,” he explains and I snort.
“I don’t know how long it’s been since you’ve seen a naked woman”—I take a sip of the hot coffee and sigh—“but this is actually not naked.”
“I can see right through your tank top.” He looks to the side.
“Oh please.” I look down and see that maybe you can see through it. “They are just nipples.” He looks up at the ceiling. “Everyone has them. If you don’t like them, don’t look at them.”
“It’s kind of hard when they are right in my face.”
“They aren’t in your face,” I refute and his eyes bore into mine. “If you don’t like them, close your eyes.” I poke him even more. “Every single person has nipples, including you.”
“Yes, but I’m not flaunting my nipples.”
“If it makes you feel better.” I put the cup down on the counter. “I’d be okay if you came down with your nipples completely out.” His eyes come to mine and I can’t help but smirk at him. “You can take off you shirt now if it would make you feel more comfortable.”
“I’m good,” he grits between clenched teeth.
“Suit yourself.” I pick up the cup and take another sip. “But if you like, you are more than welcome to whip them out any time you feel the need to.” I try not to laugh at his scowl.
“What time do you start work?” I ask him.
“I took the next two weeks off,” he tells me. “The pros of owning your own vet clinic.” I nod. “Are you hungry?”
“I am, but I don’t want to put you out.”
“Then go and cover up,” he tells me and I smile big.
“Are my nipples insulting you that much?” I ask him and look to see a sweater he tossed on the back of the couch. I push away from the counter, and the minute I do, Whiskey is on his feet looking around to see what I’m doing.
I grab the sweater and pick it up, smelling it to see if it’s clean at least before putting it on. It falls past my thighs. “Is this better?” I hold out my hands to the side. “All nipples are put away and not visible.”
“Now it looks like you are wearing nothing but the sweater.”
“Oh my God.” I throw my hands up and Whiskey walks over to me and sits beside me. “You’ll survive.”
“Will I?” he jokes with me, and I have to remember I don’t like him and wipe away the smile that was starting to form.
“Do you want me to make breakfast?” I ask him. His phone rings from upstairs and our heads both look over at the hallway. He walks past me and jogs up the steps, and I hear his voice. “Does he make you cover your nipples?” I ask Whiskey, who now lays his chin on his paws and closes his eyes.
“Yeah, she just got up,” he says coming down the steps. “She’s fine. Why would you think she isn’t fine?” He puts the phone on speaker and Joshua’s voice fills the kitchen.
He laughs. “I wasn’t worried about her. I was more worried that she killed you in your sleep.” I shake my head and walk over to the counter, grabbing my coffee cup. “We’re going to head out to my parents’ to have breakfast,” he shares.
“Am I invited to that,” I snap out, “or did you guys forget I’m even here?”
“That’s why I’m calling. Mom and Dad have been beside themselves with guilt since you left.”
“Good,” I retort. “I didn’t sleep all night.” I look up at Nate, who rolls his eyes.
“I heard you snoring from my bedroom,” he states and the glare is on in full force. “We’ll get dressed and be right over,” Nate relays and disconnects the phone and tosses it on the counter.
“I don’t snore,” I hiss at him. “Now, I’m going to get dressed,” I inform him. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to cover my nipples.” I turn to walk out of the room. “Wouldn’t want to offend you.”
“Don’t cover them on account of me,” he replies before I walk out of the kitchen, “but it is cold outside. Not sure if nipples can survive.”
“I hate you.” That’s the only comeback that comes to my mind.
“Good to know. I shall keep that in mind.” His face fills with a grin.
I take a deep inhale and walk away from him, mumbling, “I need to find another place to sleep.” I look back over to the hallway. “We’re definitely not having a wonderful Christmas time.”