Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61905 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61905 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Yes, it’s been a week, and I miss you terribly.” Her answer settles me in a way I didn’t realize I needed, so I wrap my arms around her. “Never thought I’d say that considering where we started.” I stroke her hair and kiss it, taking in her beautiful scent.
“Sometimes the rockiest of starts can lead to the best outcomes.” The bacon starts sizzling, and I pull her with me as I turn around to flip it.
“I’m going to shower. Do you think you can take Becca some food? See if she’ll eat?”
I grip Adora’s face between my hands and kiss her lips, and her hands cover mine as she kisses me back with tenderness. Her body pushes up against mine, and our mouths open at the exact same time as our tongues start to dance.
I could kiss her for a lifetime.
And every lifetime after that.
She tastes like peppermint and simply… her.
She pulls away first, and I lean in and kiss her lips one more time. “Go, I’ll join you after.” I smack her ass before I turn back to the stove, making her smile as she shakes her head before walking off. After finishing up the food, I take a plate to the room where Becca is staying. It used to be an office, but we easily turned it into a bedroom for her. I was able to get all the medical equipment in quickly, and she is comfortable in the right type of bed that she needs.
Becca is sitting up in her adjustable bed and watching the television when I walk in.
“Adora insisted you eat,” I tell her, grabbing the tray and placing it over her lap. It’s a simple meal, just a few pieces of bacon, a slice of toast, and an egg. Adora has said she doesn’t eat all that much. I guess that’s what happens when you reach the end of life—what is food to you then?
“Can I ask you something?” She looks down at the food, not bothering to touch it.
“If you eat a piece of bacon, you can ask me whatever.”
“Anything?” I give her a nod, and she lifts the smallest piece and puts it to her lips, taking a bite. I watch as she struggles with just that tiny bit. When she’s done, she reaches for the glass of water, taking a sip before looking back at me. “How many people have you killed?”
“Why? Do you plan to report me to the authorities?” I joke with her. She shakes her head. “Well into the hundreds. Why?”
“Do you feel like your hands are tainted when you touch her?”
“No,” I answer truthfully. “We learn early on to not feel guilt and certainly not to focus on what needs to be done. Would it make you feel better if I said I felt guilty?”
“No, I just want to understand you better, I guess. See what type of man you really are.”
“For what? Your approval? You do realize I don’t need it. She’s my wife.” Her eyes blink a few times, and she looks back down at her food, lifting another piece of bacon to her lips and taking a small bite before she puts it back down. “You do know she’s no angel, correct?”
“I know. But behind her tough exterior is a very caring person. She could have kept fighting this… whatever it is you two have… but she gave in. Are you not glad she did?”
“I am.”
“So what I’m saying is… that I see her differently than you do. We probably love her for similar reasons, though.”
“I don’t love her. It’s too soon.”
“How soon is too soon to love someone?” She raises a brow. “I don’t know the exact number of days I have left, but I know they aren’t many. What do you plan to do to help her when I’m gone?” When I don’t answer, she carries on, “She has a secret, did you know?”
“We all have secrets,” I tell her, even though now I’m eager to know what secret she’s talking about and what Adora is keeping from me.
“She has one that she only just recently shared with me. When I asked her if she had told you, she replied with ‘he isn’t ready to hear that just yet.’” She shrugs, and my eyes narrow as I digest that comment. “Maybe you aren’t, maybe you are, but you have to prove to her you are at least willing to try.”
“I am trying.”
“Are you?” She yawns and lies back in the bed, so I remove the plate and tray. “I see what she sees in you, Joey. I see it.”
I don’t ask her what she means.
Her eyes close, and she falls asleep.
Becca’s phone starts buzzing on the bedside table. I ignore it until it goes off again, so I walk back to wake her, but decide against it. When I glance at the phone’s screen, I see it’s her mother calling, and I answer it.