“Mending broken hearts. It’s kinda my thing,” I murmur, fixing my gaze on her lips. I’ve missed them. I have missed her.
“So, tell me about you, Zoey.”
“I’m an architect. I just started my own business the next town over, so this location is perfect.” With a sly grin, she slides closer to me lowering her voice as if she’s going to reveal a secret. “In my spare time, I like to cyberstalk my ex-roomie and see what he’s been doing with his life.”
I struggle to hold back my smile. “And how is he?”
“You tell me?”
“Zoey.”
“Drew,” she whispers back.
Our bodies are close enough that I could lean over and take what’s mine. But instead, I want to show her how much she means to me. That even after all this time, I have faith in us.
“I want to show you something.” I pull up my sleeve, and there on my forearm is my tattoo.
“You got a tattoo?” she exclaims. “And it’s a pineapple?”
I place my hand on top of hers, shocked at the jolt of electricity that runs through my veins the moment we touch. I know she feels it too. Her body jumps the moment mine did.
“See. There’s this woman, and I’m kind of in love with her.” I smile, continuing, “I realized that our timing was just off, and she has this thing for pineapples. Apparently, they’re good luck or something. So, I inked it on my skin because I knew one day she’d be back.”
Moving her hand on top of mine, she squeezes it tight. My eyes meet hers, full of content and joy that sh
e’s returned. “Oh, and she’s a real pain in the ass.”
“Drew, I love you,” she blurts out. “It’s always been you. I should have known all along. The day you walked into the apartment wearing that gross SpongeBob shirt of yours, it was a sign… SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea.”
I smile hopelessly back at her touching her cheek with the tip of my finger, calming her nervous energy. “I love you, too, Zoey.”
“Is this it? Are we done with being done?” she asks, almost begging.
“We’re done with being done,” I repeat. “Stay with me?”
“I’m home, Drew. There’s nowhere else I want to be. You had me at ‘she’s a real pain in the ass.’” She smiles.
I close the gap between us and bring my lips to hers. They’re soft and taste like Coca Cola, just how I remembered them. I want to savor this kiss and all of her. Then it dawns on me, I’m never going to let her go. This is just the beginning. I’ve never wanted anything or anyone more than I want her.
Pulling away, but keeping close, she reminds me, “You know, if we’re going to live together, we need to establish rules.”
“Hmm, okay. I’ll start.” I think for a moment, then it hits me. “I don’t like wasting water, so we should shower together every day.”
“Deal.” She grins.
Raising her index finger to the corner of her mouth, she adds, “I don’t like doing laundry, so don’t wear anything to bed.”
“Deal.” Unable to contain my joy, I pull her back kissing her feverishly and allowing her to moan while our tongues slide, battling with each other.
“Wait.” She stops me, pulling her cell out of her purse and typing quickly. My cell beeps, and she nods for me to check it. I lean over to where it’s sitting on the coffee table and open the text on the screen.
Zoey: Code Red
I shake my head grinning from ear to ear and throw my cell back onto the sofa, scooping her up and wrapping her legs around my waist. I drop my head to meet hers and plant a soft kiss on her lips, lingering as I allow it to sink in.
She’s here.
With me.