Page 41 of Take My Kiss
Amelia
But it brought you to Penelope, who’s the sweetest and perfect for you, so that’s all that matters
Raven
And she’s a quiet lover, which Bailey and I appreciate.
I snort, relieved the topic of conversation is no longer about me. Raven and Mattie are roommates, so it’s always hilarious to watch them tease each other, considering they’re complete opposites.
Amelia
Getting in the shower, talk to y’all later!
The rat’s nest on my head and smeared makeup make me shudder at my reflection. Not only did I take over his house and bed, but he saw me at one of my worst moments.
Once the water’s hot, I dip underneath the stream and melt into the heat. The warmth sears my skin and brings me back to life.
When I reach for my body wash, it’s not where I put it when I unpacked a few days ago. My shampoo and conditioner aren’t either.
“What the hell?”
Even my cheap yellow-stringed loofah is missing.
In its place is a fancy sponge pad, and the bottles left are new and unopened.
And they’re way more expensive than my dollar-store brand ones.
Not sure if Colton or his mom switched them out, but they even smell out of my tax bracket.
By the time I wash my hair and body, shave my legs, and scrub the sickness off my face, I’m a new woman.
Putting on fresh clothes, I realize the ones I was wearing need to be boiled after three days of being sick.
When I enter the bedroom, I notice blankets and a pillow on the floor next to Lily’s side of the bed. Considering she’s been next to me the past two days, he must’ve been sleeping there.
“Hey.” Colton beams when I walk into the kitchen. “How ya feelin’?”
“Better. Mostly exhausted.”
“Up to eatin’? I can warm up some leftovers or make you somethin’ else.”
“I probably shouldn’t eat anythin’ too heavy.”
“Wanna start with some toast? I have several jams to choose from, or I have peanut butter.”
“Plain butter is fine,” I say, looking around for Sam.
“He’s at my parents’ for dinner,” he says as if reading my mind. “As soon as my mom mentioned pot roast, he wanted to go over. Should be back by seven. Maybe seven-thirty if they have dessert.”
“Wow…that’s nice. Your family’s been pretty incredible.” I sit at the breakfast bar, dumbfounded. “I dunno how to repay everyone for helpin’. Especially you.”
“I didn’t mind,” he says, keeping his back to me. “You have great kids, and you were an easy patient.”
I can’t wrap my head around how a man like him—sweet, genuine, thoughtful, and too damn attractive for his own good—is single. I’ve never relied on a man to help my kids or me when we’re sick, and he did without complaint.
But under no circumstances can I fall for him.
“I know I’ve said it already, but seriously, thank you. Gettin’ sick while takin’ care of kids is always a challenge, so being able to rest while knowin’ they’re being taken care of helped more than I can express. You and your family have been lifesavers—in more ways than one.”
