Page 31 of Loving Kai

When he got up to put the cards and chips away, Maggie went to stand by the fire. “This was fun. Thank you for coming out of your man cave and giving up the brooding.”

“It was fun. I’m sorry I was avoiding you.”

“It’s okay. I get it. The situation is slightly awkward.”

“Yeah. I guess we should…you know.”

“Go to bed.”

“Yeah. That.”

“Are you sure you want to give up your bedroom?”

“I’m sure. The couch is quite comfortable, actually.”

She moved a few steps away from the woodstove. “Okay. Goodnight, then.”

“Goodnight, Maggie.”

She went to the bedroom, and Abe sat on the couch with a sigh. “Dumb.” He leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment, then sat back up. His blanket and pillow were in the bedroom. He weighed sleeping without them against knocking on the bedroom door to retrieve them. It had only been a few minutes. She probably wasn’t in bed yet. He stood and went down the hallway to the bedroom door. He listened for a moment. Silence. He raised his hand to knock.

The door opened before he could, and Maggie gasped when she opened it to find him on the other side. She had a folded blanket and a pillow in her arms.

He smiled. “Sorry. I was about to knock.” He motioned toward the bedding. “I came to get that.”

She held it out to him. “I realized you didn’t have it.”

He looked at it for a moment, then slid his hands under the blanket, brushing hers. She didn’t let go until they locked eyes, then she mumbled, “Sorry,” and took a step back.

Abe stayed where he was halfway through the doorway. “I um…” He glanced toward the living room. “I should…” She nodded almost imperceptibly. Abe cocked his head, then dropped the blanket and pillow onto the floor next to them and reached for her hands. “Dammit, Maggie.”

She moved closer. “I know.”

He put his hands on her hips and pulled her in close. Maggie put her arms around his neck. “Why can’t we…”

“I don’t know.” He leaned in and kissed her. “We were so damn busy today, but I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.”

“Me too.”

“So…ah…round two?”

She nodded. “Round two.”

Abe stared at the ceiling for a moment, then rolled onto his side and put an arm around Maggie. “Well, shit. Or should I say, shoot.”

“It’s all your fault.”

“My fault? You practically dragged me through the doorway.”

She nudged him. “Wow, so not true.”

“Okay, fine. It was a mutual leap through the doorway.” He tightened his grip on her. “But you know…”

“I know. Nothing has changed.”

“It would be foolish to…”

She patted his chest. “Abe. I know.”