The Two of Us (Love in Isolation 1)

Eli notices my mood is off and wraps his arm around my waist as I make coffee.

“What’s wrong?” he asks. Anytime he’s around, my whole demeanor changes.

“Just thinking about graduation, that’s all,” I tell him, turning around and wrapping my arms around his neck as he dips down and presses his mouth against mine.

“Babe.” He smiles, lifting my chin. “You should be so fucking proud of all that you accomplished, especially since you finished your last semester online and during a pandemic when you were sick. You are at the top of your class at one of the most difficult universities in the country. No one or nothing can ever take that away from you. Ever.”

I smile and nod. “You’re right. I don’t want to seem like a brat. I’m just disappointed.”

“You’re not a brat for that. For other things, absolutely, but for that, nah,” he tells me with a wink, and I playfully smack him. I love how grounded he keeps me. It’s nice to have a boyfriend who isn’t an elitist.

“Hungry?” he asks.

“I’m always hungry,” I throw back. “For your Prince Harry.”

“I thought you named him Zeus?” He arches a curious brow.

I giggle. “Not when it gets me off better than the vibrator. Then it deserves the royal name.”

He laughs and goes to the fridge and pulls out ingredients for breakfast. “You’re a sex fiend, but that’s why I love you.”

“That’s not the only reason,” I argue. My stomach growls just as the espresso finishes brewing. I fill two mugs, then hand him one. After I add cream to mine, I lean against the counter and admire how sexy Eli is. I can’t stop staring at his bare chest and how his sweats hang low on his hips, showing that V that goes to the happiest place on earth, but I’m not referring to Disney World. Though what he does sure is fucking magical.

He catches me gawking and lifts an eyebrow, and I swear if he wasn’t almost finished cooking, I’d fuck him until tomorrow. “Yes?”

I clear my throat, not even sorry he caught me. “Stop looking sexy, and I’d stop staring.”

“My bad.” He smirks.

“So…” I speak up to get my mind out of the gutter. “I’m going to FaceTime Mommy Dearest today.”

He laughs. “Yeah?”

“I still can’t believe how giddy she is about us being together,” I say. I think back to a couple of weeks ago when I finally told my parents. They were so supportive that if I wasn’t already living in the twilight zone, I definitely would be now. Daddy always stressed to marry a wealthy man with status who could contribute to the family name. My mom, on the other hand, always told me to marry for love. She didn’t and later regretted it. It’s obvious they’re not in love and would be happier apart.

“Your mom has always loved me. Seriously, I was more worried about your dad than her.”

“Really? I was worried he’d give you one of those fatherly ‘you break my daughter’s heart, and I’ll break your neck’ speeches. Or worse, they’d make you join the country club.” I look down his body again. “But there’s just no way you’d properly fit in,” I say with laughter.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Oh really? Don’t think I can pull off a thousand dollar polo and slacks and order the servers around while I brag about my mistress?”

I roll my eyes at his mockery. “You’re hilarious. Keep that up, and they’ll forbid us from being together. Then again, if they would’ve disapproved, we’d be married right now.”

“Hot damn!” he shouts ecstatically. “That’s too bad because I’d marry you in a heartbeat.”

He turns off the stove, slides our food onto plates, and we move to the bar. I’m sitting so close to him as we eat that I’m practically on his lap. “Did you mean it?”

“Mean what?” he asks around a mouthful.

“That you’d marry me in a heartbeat.”

Eli finishes chewing, then turns and grabs my hand. We’re nearly facing each other in the barstools. “Without a doubt, Cami. I’ve seen you nearly every day for the past ninety days, and while I hate the state of the world, I’m grateful to spend this uninterrupted time with you. I honestly don’t remember what life was like without you in it, and I don’t want to. You’re my everything, baby. I mean it, but I do worry sometimes that I’m not good enough for you.”

My eyes go wide, and I pull back slightly at his confession. “Not good enough for me? Don’t be ridiculous. You’re more than enough.”

He shrugs shyly. “I know the type of guys you’ve dated. The money, well-known name, extravagant dates. But all I can offer you is my love.”

I tilt my head and flash him a small smile. “You are definitely not the kind of guys I’ve dated in the past, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, which isn’t something I’m used to. It’s different with you. Most men just want to use me to get to my parents. Status and materials don’t matter to you, and when it comes to who I want, it doesn’t matter to me either. You’ve loved me in ways I’ve never been loved before. It can’t be faked or bought, and I hope you know that because I don’t want to lose you.”