Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138526 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Love you,” I respond genuinely.
I’m not totally sure how I got home but she got me home safe and I am so grateful. My best friend is the bestest friend in the whole world.
Pax joins me hours later when he finishes work, taking over from Laurie. He curls his body around mine and whispers sweet things in my ear until I drift back to sleep.
When I wake up again the sun is shining through the curtains. It doesn’t hurt my eyes like I thought it would and my vision is a bit shaky but already it’s clearer than what it was. I was blind as a bat before but now I can see the edge of the drapes and the pattern and I’m not even wearing my glasses.
I’m mesmerized by it.
I roll over onto Pax and kiss his jaw and admire how attractive he is.
“Hey, sleepy,” he whispers. The room is a dull gray from the lack of light, but I can just make out his soft features. “How are you feeling?”
“Excited. I can’t wait to see. I can’t remember a time I ever could see.”
“I bet,” he replies, kissing the tip of my nose. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up.”
He wasn’t? I vaguely remember being with a man. I just assumed it was him. “It’s okay. Laurie sorted me out.”
“If I’d had more notice…”
“I know.” I stroke his cheek and close my eyes. “I understand.”
The decision to get laser eye surgery was one I just thought about, clicked my fingers, and booked myself in for during my leave from work. I’ve been putting it off for years, so I don’t know why I’m suddenly ready now but I’m glad it’s done.
“Hungry?” he asks, and I nod. “What are you craving? Just say the word and it’s yours.”
I remember a week ago when I had that conversation with Ezra at the soccer game about Pax and now I’m realizing how much I jumped the gun. He might have been getting a bit paranoid but true to his word he’s backed off and look how sweet he’s being to me.
He’s always there, I have to remember that. He deserves better from me than how I’ve been treating him behind his back.
“Mexican. I want all that meat in my mouth.”
He growls playfully. “I’ve got some meat for your mouth.”
Laughing, I press my cheek to his chest and sigh. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” he replies, kissing my hair.
I tickle a pattern on his skin, spelling my name and then his with the tip of my finger.
“I feel like I’m about to become a new me,” I say quietly.
“I bet. I mean really this is a huge change. I can’t remember ever seeing you without your glasses.” His hand threads through my hair. “Maybe you should reinvent my style? Finally start wearing clothes that fit?”
I tense. “I like my clothes.”
“I know, but new year, new you, right?”
“I suppose I could try some,” I respond flatly. “I don’t really want to change myself though.”
“You’re twenty-four but most people think you’re a nineteen-year-old intern.”
I cringe because he’s right about that. Every time I go to another floor for something for Mr. C, somebody stops me and asks me to get them coffee or to photocopy something. Though most people know me by now, there are always new people to meet, this is such a huge building and none of them take me seriously.
Saying that though, I am the go-to person these days for anything happening in the office. Nobody even bothers with Mr. Conti anymore because I run it all. I sort out their leave and their personal days, I send their work to the right people and choose what pitches to put through to Ezra. I love my job. I miss it already.
“I’m not saying it to hurt you, I love the way you dress. I love how different you are. But maybe it’s time to stand out a bit? You might end up with a better job offer.”
“And we’re back to that,” I sigh, trying to roll away from him but he holds me in place.
“I just don’t think you get paid enough for all that you do.”
“I’m happy with my salary,” I comment tiredly. “And I get to travel.”
He doesn’t say anything else on the topic and for that I’m glad. He kisses me and leaves to get us both some breakfast, knowing I was just kidding about the Mexican food at eight in the morning.
He returns forty minutes later with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and syrup.
It’s a lot fattier than I’d normally like for a breakfast but it tastes so yummy I don’t care.
I check my phone while I’m eating, squinting to see the screen. My mouth chews a piece of pancake and syrupy bacon. I hum happily.
Mr. C: How are you feeling today?