That Night (Coming Home To The Grove 4)

Olivia is snuggled into me, and she looks so peaceful I almost don’t want to wake her up.

But I can’t resist her. I wake her by kissing my way up her arm to the top of her shoulder.

She squirms and laughs. “Your beard is tickling me.”

“You weren’t complaining last night,” I brag.

She smiles as if she’s remembering the two times we went at it last night. I lower my head to peck a kiss to her lips, and she shrinks away, surprising me.

“I’m just gonna go brush my teeth and freshen up really quick.” She kisses me with a closed-mouth peck.

As she steals the blanket, taking it with her to the bathroom, I laugh to myself. Women are silly creatures. Does she not remember that I saw, touched, and tasted every part of her last night? I may have to remind her.

Then again, maybe I should do a little refreshing too.

I spot a little bottle of mouthwash on the vanity that is near the bathroom. As I’m swishing a little around in my mouth, I hear her phone ring in the bathroom. She must have taken it in with her or left it in there the night before.

She answers, “Hey, Kyle, what’s up?”

Kyle? Who the hell is Kyle?

I spit the mouthwash into a tissue and toss it in the trash bin but linger near the bathroom door to hear what I can.

“…I would love to, yeah. No, no you didn’t wake me. I was… just eating my morning bagel.”

I smell a blow off coming my way. I should’ve known she was too good to be more than just a fun roll in the hay.

I’m surprised at myself too. I went into this thinking it would just be for fun, so why am I so disappointed that she’s clearly got another guy on the hook?

I walk away from the door and dress quickly. It’s probably best to leave on my own and avoid the awkwardness.OliviaI still can’t believe Derrick just left while I was in the bathroom. I wasn’t gone that long. No note, nothing.

What a dick move.

I drop to the edge of the bed, the blanket still wrapped around me. Last night was amazing. I had no idea it could be like that. I won’t lie. There were a few times in the night that I snuggled deeper into him, loving the feel of his arms around me and his body next to me. And if the way his massive arm held me to him most of the night, he liked it too. Which is why the fact that he left without saying a word is bizarre.

It’s super early, not even daylight, and I have a few hours before I have to be at the clinic. Instead of stressing about it, which is exactly what I want to do, I get dressed in my leggings, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. A workout is just what I need.

I go to Get Fit and am a little down that Chrissy, my friend that owns the gym, is not here. Of course, she is a single mother and she probably doesn’t come in until after she drops her daughter off at preschool. I could really use someone to talk to right now. I run almost an hour on the treadmill and then start lifting weights to get the frustration out of my system. I feel better after using the gym showers, but there’s still a tinge of self-doubt I’ve got going on, and all I can think about is what did I do wrong? Why did he leave? And then I want to kick myself. Why am I getting so torn up over a man I met last night? Obviously if he’s going to leave like that, he’s not the man for me.

I get to work, my wet hair put up into a bun. The morning is uneventful, a lot of vaccinations and such. By lunch time, I’m starving. I decide to go and get something from Patty Cakes Bakery. They have the best soup and sandwich combinations, and right now, I’m craving some comfort food.

I planned to get it to go, but when I saw Rose, Chrissy, and Lacy seated at a table, I knew I wanted to stop and chat.

“Okay, what did I miss?” Carrie asks as she joins us at the table. She’s taking a break, letting Patty man the bakery so she can sit and join us.

“Nothing,” Lacy says. “We’re just catching up. Let’s see. I’m getting married to Trent. You’re head over heels for the sheriff. Rose is happier than can be with her pregnancy,” she tells Carrie before turning to me and Chrissy. “Now all we have to do is get Olivia and Chrissy with someone, and we’ll be good to go.”

“You can leave me out of this conversation. I’m very happy on my own, thank you very much.”