Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 83990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“Yeah, I always get up at this time.” She whispers for me go back to sleep, but when she closes the door, I get off the bed. After going to the bathroom, I walk out, smelling fresh coffee. Looking over at the countertop, I see she made coffee. I grab a cup and go to sit outside where I see her sitting in the chair with her knees up to her chest and the blanket on top of her. “You didn’t have to get up.”
“I know,” I tell her, sitting in the chair next to her, “but when I’m up, I’m up.”
“I love this time of the morning,” she whispers. “Everything is so peaceful and new and promising.” She looks out into the horizon. “At home, I can see the lights come on from the houses below me.” I don’t say anything to her as I drink my coffee and look out into the distance. The only sound is the birds chirping. This is her time, this is the time she has just for herself, and I’m not going to intrude by talking to her. So I sit here and finish my coffee, looking at her from the corner of my eye and admiring the promise of something new on our own horizon.
Chapter Eleven
Kellie
When I got out of bed this morning and walked out of my room, I was surprised to see his door open. When I tiptoed to his room and looked in, he was lying on his back with the covers to his waist and one hand over his head and another on his stomach. I grabbed the handle to shut the door, and it creaked, so I stopped mid-movement, hoping he would sleep through it, but he didn’t; he sprang right up. I closed the door, telling him to go back to sleep, and then made my way to the kitchen to make coffee. When that was ready, I took it to sit outside. I gazed out in the distance at the hills this morning—a different view but the solitude is still the same. Then I heard his footsteps, and I don’t know why I was surprised. But he didn’t push himself on me; he just sat there looking at the same view I was and gave me my time.
As soon as I heard the lawn mower, I looked over at him. “We have to go to the venue at noon to do a sound check. Do you want breakfast?” He looked at me, and I inwardly groaned at the softness in his look. His hair is still in place but looks a bit disheveled. “I think I’m in the mood for pancakes.” I walk inside and hear a knock on the door. Opening it, I find Cori with two huge bouquets in her hands. One is all white roses; the other is all red roses.
“Well, this is interesting,” she says to me, coming in and placing the flowers on the table. Looking at me, she is wearing a robe and looks like she just got out of bed. “Imagine my surprise.” She starts talking and then stops when Brian comes into the room from outside, still not wearing a shirt. “Holy …”
“Ignore him and his nakedness.” I roll my eyes, walking to the flowers. “He only has a carry-on bag, which only fit two T-shirts.”
He laughs, coming in and placing his cup in the sink, and then Cori continues, “Anyway, I was sleeping, and the front desk called to say they had a delivery for me. I was surprised because, well, no one sends me anything.”
“This one has my name on it,” Brian says from beside me now, seeing his name written on the white envelope in the red roses.
“That is what I said also,” Cori says, going to get a cup to make herself coffee, “but then I thought maybe I shouldn’t touch the card, so here it is.” She grabs milk from the fridge, pouring some in her cup.
“This one has my name on it.” I look over at Brian who is already opening his and then groaning.
“What’s the matter?” I ask him. He just hands me the card, and I pull it out.
Had so much fun last night, hope we can catch up soon.
Christina <3
323-555-2727
“Oh my God,” I say out loud, watching him walk to the phone and pick it up.
“Cori, you want breakfast?” he asks her, and Cori shakes her head.
“No, I’m going back to bed,” she says. When she looks at the card in my hand, she laughs out loud while Brian orders breakfast.
“Where do you want me to put your lover’s flowers?” Cori asks Brian, holding the cup to her lips to hide her smirk.
“In the garbage,” he answers, and I grab my envelope and open it.
You were a breath of fresh air last night.