Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“No, you’re not,” she said with a hint of a smile.
I waited, expecting her to scold me for my loss of control.
Instead, she stood, walked over to me, and put her hands around my face. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.
Taken aback, I nodded.
She shocked me even more when she brought my face to hers and kissed me on the forehead.
I closed my eyes, appreciating every second. “You’re not mad?”
Instead of answering, she patted my face. “Did you eat dinner at your sister’s?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“I made a fresh batch of chili, if you want some. It’s in the crockpot.”
Is she really giving me a pass?
“I would love some,” I said with a sigh.
Nicole left me alone in the kitchen. I didn’t understand why she hadn’t given me a harder time about my behavior, but I was damn grateful for it.
My stomach grumbled as I went over to the counter and got myself a bowl of chili.
I ate it in silence, unable to stop thinking about what had transpired—mainly that kiss on the forehead, which had given me more hope than anything in a very long time. It spoke a thousand words. Among them, that she understood me, she was sorry, and maybe she still loved me. Even if it was false hope, I’d hang onto it. It was better than feeling like I’d lose her again once the time here ended.
After I finished and took a shower, Nicole already seemed to be asleep when I got to the bedroom. Her long black hair was splayed across my pillow as her body rose and fell with her gentle breathing. In all the days we’d been here, I’d never longed to hold her more.
Instead, I ran my fingers gently through her hair before moving her tresses off of my pillow. What I really wanted, though, was to bury my face in that hair and inhale it all night.
I lay down facing her back, continuing to wish I could wrap my arms around her. But getting to lie next to her was better than nothing. It was certainly better than a lonely bunk on a tour bus, where I’d spent endless nights wishing for this. Actually, lying next to Nicole right now was better than anything. And you know what? Even though I hadn’t had a chance to win any fights with Julian today, I had won. At least for now, in this moment. Because I was the one here with her.
A few minutes later, I heard her voice. It was barely audible.
“Atticus…”
Surprised that she was awake, I straightened a little and answered softly. “Yeah, baby?”
“Atticus…”
I’d thought she was trying to get my attention, but she was talking in her sleep. For real this time. I’d been messing with her this morning when I’d told her she was saying obscene things while unconscious. This was the first time I’d heard her do this since we’d been here.
“Atticus…” she repeated.
I closed my eyes, loving the way she called my name and wishing so badly that I could see inside her mind right now.
Why was she calling for me?
What were we doing in her imagination?
Did she forgive me in her dreams?
Did she love me in her dreams?
CHAPTER 15
NICOLE
The following week, Atticus told me he had to go to the city for the day. Made sense since he was this close, rather than in L.A. He’d left in the wee hours of the morning and had likely only gotten a few hours of sleep.
We’d been here now for twelve days, and this felt more normal with each day that passed. It was hard to believe we’d be parting ways soon. I’d grown attached to having him around, and I wasn’t ready for it to end.
With Atticus gone today, the afternoon dragged. Mimi slept for most of it, so I did everything I could to keep myself busy and sane. I cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom and took a quick drive out to the coffee shop, checking in periodically on her via the app on my phone. That fifteen minutes out and about was like heaven after being stuck in the house most days.
More than anything, I found myself missing Atticus, which was disconcerting to say the least, considering he’d only been gone a few hours. It felt like all the work I’d done to try to get over him these past few years was slowly coming undone. I missed his coffee in the morning. I missed anticipating his return from the store. I missed his smell. His laugh. And the sweet way he spoke to Mimi. He’d be back tonight, and I knew I’d wait up if it turned out he came back late.
As if the universe knew I was going stir crazy, later that afternoon, there was a knock on Mimi’s door.