A deliveryman with a clipboard enters, looking at Cayden, then at me. I don’t realize what Cayden is scowling about until the man stares pointedly at my breasts. During my blackout, I apparently had no problems unhooking my sports bra. I may not remember much, but comfort I remember quite well.
Quickly crossing my arms over my chest, I clear my throat, not at all impressed.
Neither is Cayden. “Front room,” he orders while I forget my bashfulness and shake my head.
“No, hang on. Want what?” I ask, lost in translation.
The deliveryman sighs. Someone clearly forgot their morning coffee. “Your bed. Where do you want it?” Mention of my bed has my protesting muscles cheerleading in delight.
“Front room,” Cayden repeats while I purse my lips, annoyed.
“The back room, please,” I correct, attempting to point the way with my arms still folded.
It’s visual ping-pong as the deliveryman produces a pen from the breast pocket of his faded blue overalls. “Look, I get paid to deliver the thing. Where it goes is not my problem. Now, who’s going to sign for it?”
Cayden sighs, running a hand through his hair. A sure sign I’ve won this battle for now.
Accepting the clipboard and pen from the man, I sign as quickly as I can because I’m pretty sure he just sniffed me. When a grinding fills the room, the man snatches the paperwork and makes a beeline for the front door. Cayden’s clenched jaw is the reason he ran from the room.
He’s definitely throwing off some sort of alpha dog vibe, which calls attention to the fact that standing braless in front of him didn’t even cross my mind. I suppose that was because he didn’t ogle me like I was his next meal. It appears he can be a gentleman when he wants to be.
“So…” He rocks back on his heels. “You’re insistent on staying in the most dangerous room in the house then?” I can’t shake the feeling that he’d hoped I’d change my mind.
“What can I say? I like to live life on the edge,” I quip while his cheeks puff out as he exhales. “Besides, what have you got against my bedroom?”
“Nothing.” He raises his shoulders with a carefree shrug. “I just thought you’d want something bigger.”
I can’t help the cackle that erupts from me. I make no attempt to mask it either. “That’s what she said.”
Cayden’s sculptured eyebrow lifts into his hairline, baffled by my humor until he finally catches on. When he does, the saints and all the angels break into song because I’ve never seen a sight more picturesque than right now. “Oh my God…” I cover my mouth, eyes exaggeratedly wide. “Did you just…smile? Holy shit. Is the world about to end?”
“Ha-ha,” he taunts, clutching his side in mock laughter, but he can’t take it back. I saw him smile, and it’s a sight I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
The deliveryman interrupts our weird but amusing moment as he and a colleague attempt to wedge my mattress through the narrow doorway. I suppose I didn’t really take the size of the house into consideration when I ordered this monster. But when I see the cushy top layer, I soon forget my regrets.
As they’re fighting over whose left should go first, I suddenly realize the delivery wasn’t scheduled until the weekend. Why are they early?
“I thought you couldn’t come until the weekend,” I say, but the delivery driver has other pressing matters to deal with—like walking the mattress down the hallway without taking out a wall.
Cayden’s frustration catches in his throat before he grips the mattress and leads the way. Both men are all butterfingers as they clutch one side while Cayden carries his end with ease. The sight is impressive, to say the least, as he showcases what he’s packing beneath that white T-shirt.
When he meets my eyes, I instantly avert my gaze and scratch the back of my neck as if deep in thought. Deciding to freshen up, I wait for them to shuffle down the hall before I head to the bathroom, ensuring I lock the door behind me. Once inside, I take a deep breath. I seem to be out of breath a lot of the time when Cayden is near.
Reaching for my toothbrush off the edge of the sink, I brush my teeth, staring at my reflection in the mirror. There is so much to do, and I’m woman enough to admit I’m more than overwhelmed. I’ve bitten off more than I can chew with this house, and although finances aren’t an issue, getting the house up and running is.
I’m fortunate Cayden offered to help because, without him, I would be lost. Selling is not an option, and I’ve learned I can be quite stubborn when I want to be. Therefore, I would have just roughed it until, like Cayden said, the roof caved in. So I am more than grateful he has offered his services. In return, I shall attempt not to annoy him and help in any way I can. I can’t help my toothpaste-laden smile.
My toothbrush is a fire engine red. An innocent color on most days but today, it sparks a vivid memory or, more accurately, a dream. A red ribbon was wrapped around my palm, and that red was contrasted by white…a white wedding dress.
My cheek bellows from the toothbrush pressed against it, but I’m frozen, cataloging a nightmare that felt too real. “Snow…your name is Snow.” A shiver passes over me.
Cayden called me this. I know I was fading between reality and questioning fact from fiction, but I’m certain I heard him call me Snow. His voice was my beacon, pulling me from the depths. But I’m unsure if my nightmare was a memory attempting to wade through the murkiness or if it was my mind filling in the blanks?
Frustrated, I finish brushing my teeth and washing my face. I need a shower, but I also need a change of clothes, so I open the bathroom door and make my way to my bedroom.
However, I pause in the doorway, needing a moment to process the sight in front of me.
Cayden is standing at the foot of my bed, hands interlocked behind his neck as he appears to ponder the position. But he’s placed it exactly where I would have too.
I’m enthralled by the glow-in-the-dark star because it’s now directly above my bed. I have visions of lying on that mattress and staring up at it for hours, but it’s through a different set of eyes. Shaking my head, I clear the confusion and make my way into the room.