Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 76696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76696 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“I fed Pumpkin. I wasn’t sure if you’d ever emerge from Zach’s room.” Brian scanned my face and I couldn’t meet his gaze after what Zach had done to me this morning. My skin still tingled. Had Brian heard something? Did he know? This was too embarrassing. I hid my face behind the fridge door but when I emerged with a yogurt, Brian was still glancing between Zach and me. “Are you going home for Thanksgiving?”
Was that why he’d been staring? I hadn’t even thought about Thanksgiving, but Brian was right; it was only two weeks away. “Of course,” I said. I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t seen Dad in so long. Brian’s eyes darted to Zach, who was busy spreading Nutella on a slice of bread. “I’ll call Dad.”
Brian nodded. “I need to leave or I’ll be late for my lunch date with Lauren.”
Zach made a face behind Brian’s back. I managed to keep my face neutral, but when Brian had left the kitchen, I jabbed a finger against Zach’s chest. “You’re impossible.” Zach took a bite of his Nutella bread and shrugged. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he lightly stroked my back. “Do you celebrate Thanksgiving with your parents?”
He snorted. “They celebrate Thanksgiving at their country club. They don’t expect me to come.”
“So what do you usually do?”
“In the last few years I went out partying with the guys.”
“Oh, of course,” I said. “Do you want to go partying this year too?”
“I’d rather spend the day in bed with you.” He kissed my throat, sending small fireworks down my spine.
“Why don’t you come home with me and Brian, and celebrate with my family? I’d love to officially introduce you to my father as my boyfriend.” Or was that too fast for Zach? When did people usually introduce their boyfriend to their parents? I really wished Mom was still there to meet Zach as well.
“I’ve met your father before,” Zach joked, then he sobered. He actually looked hesitant. “Are you sure?
“I am. I really want you to come.”
“Okay,” he said slowly. “But won’t your dad mind?”
“I think he’ll be happy for me.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Look at Brian. I don’t see happy when I look at his face.”
“Brian is happy for me, for us.”
Zach looked doubtful, but he nodded. “Family Thanksgiving it is, then.”
I grinned. “I’ll call my dad and tell him.” I pressed a quick kiss against Zach’s lips before I hurried into my room and grabbed my phone. As always when I called Dad answered on the second ring. “Amber?” And as usual worry swung in his voice. I hated that his first reaction to a call from me was concern that something might have happened.
“Hi Dad,” I said.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” I could hear him release a breath. “I wanted to talk to you about Thanksgiving.”
“You’re coming home?”
“Yes, and I want to bring Zach.”
There was a pause on the other end. “Are you still dating?”
“Don’t tell me Brian isn’t giving you daily updates.”
Dad coughed. “Well, it occasionally comes up in our conversation.”
“It’s probably the only thing you talk about.”
“Not the only thing,” Dad said. “We’re both just worried about you. And to be honest, it’s difficult for me to imagine. You changed so much since I last saw you, I can already tell from talking to you on the phone.”
“Zach helps me. Living here helps me. So is it okay if I bring him?”
“Sure. I want a word with him anyway.”
“Oh no, Dad. Brian’s made Zach’s life hell for dating me. Promise you won’t do the same.”
“I can’t promise that. But I’ll do my best not to embarrass you.” I could hear a smile in his voice. God, I couldn’t remember the last time Dad had sounded so much like the old-Dad from before. I wasn’t the only one who’d been changed by the incident. Brian’s and Dad’s lives had been turned upside down as well. “Will Aunt Lynn and Uncle Barry come as well?”
“Actually, we’ll celebrate at their house because you can’t really cook this Thanksgiving. Lynn is going to make dinner for us this year.”
“Oh, right. I didn’t even think about it.” In the last few years, I’d prepared our Thanksgiving meals. Cooking had been pretty much the only thing that had given me some sliver of joy, but of course I wouldn’t be able to do it this year unless I arrived a few days early. I couldn’t expect Zach to stay with my dad for so long. What if they didn’t get along?
“I miss you, sweetheart. I’m counting the days until Thanksgiving.”
“I miss you too, Dad.”
After we’d hung up, I smiled. I wanted Dad to see how far I’d come. He’d always wanted a normal life for me, and I was getting closer to that goal every day.
“You look happy,” Zach said, leaning in the doorway to the kitchen.
“I am happy.” He advanced on me, then leaned close. “Maybe we can schedule a repeat performance of this morning?”
I blushed, but my body responded with a flood of tingling between my legs. I peered at the clock. “I’m meeting Reagan for a run in thirty minutes.”
Zach pouted playfully. I laughed. “Maybe later then?” he said in a low voice that made my legs go weak. “Later,” I promised.
***
I couldn’t stop thinking about this morning even as Reagan and I jogged through the neighborhood. I would have never thought something could feel this good. Zach’s mouth and tongue had made me forget everything. There had been no room for horrible memories. I couldn’t believe I was even capable of being this…aroused. The word alone seemed wrong when it came to me. I couldn’t wait to let Zach do it again. I knew this didn’t mean the past wouldn’t come crashing back down on me again. It always did, always would. After what I had gone through, it couldn’t be any other way, but it was slowly pushed to the back of my mind.
“I don’t know what’s going on but you’re positively glowing,” Reagan said as we paused to catch our breath. “I guess it has something to do with Zach.”