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Once my beer is empty, I stand from the chair, relaxed from my time just sitting outside, and go back inside. I walk around the apartment, checking windows and doors to make sure everything is locked up tight, before I finally take some melatonin and climb into my king size bed, sinking into the soft mattress, ready for the next day to come.
I wake up extremely early and start my drive to Willow Creek. I don’t know if Tanya is working today, but I want to make sure I make it early enough to bring her something before she has to go in. I want her to know that I’m here, and that I’m ready for my answer.
With it being so early, and the fact that I’m not watching my speed on the way there, I make it in just under an hour. I had Jillian book me the same room again, but I don’t bother stopping there, instead I go straight to Tanya’s. I stopped by a Starbucks just out of town and got her the Pineapple Cloud Cake she used to order all the time, but now that I have it and I’m about to give it to her, I’m nervous that she will no longer like it.
The small cabin they live in is dark when I arrive, and I look at the clock to see it’s just after eight. I’m not sure if they are still sleeping or if they have already left. I grab my coffee and her cake before getting out of my car. Just as I’m about to knock on her door, Tanya’s voice comes from the side of house.
“You made it here early.”
I turn to see her walking out of a small wooded area, she’s a vision walking out of the trees that are dotted with orange and yellow. She’s in a tight pair of jeans and a sweatshirt that looks to be a little big for her. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and I can’t take my eyes off her. I look behind her to try and see where she is coming from.
“Do you usually walk around the woods so early in the morning?”
Her lips form into a smirk, and the same look she used to get before saying something sarcastic flashes across her face. For some reason, it sends heat shooting through my body.
“It’s not really the woods. I had to take Soph to school and the town square is just on the other side of this.”
“Oh, right. It’s a school day. I didn’t think about that.”
She walks up the steps of her porch and stops a foot away from me. I hold the cake out to her.
“I got you this. It’s what you used to order; I don’t even know if you still like it or not, but I didn’t know what else to get, and I didn’t want to risk waking you to ask.”
I shrug, hearing how ridiculous I sound. She stares at the bag with interest for a moment, before she takes it and peeks inside. She carefully takes it out, sniffs it, and takes the tiniest bite. The face she makes causes me to burst into laughter.
“Not your thing anymore, huh?”
It’s a sad thought, but I don’t allow myself to dwell on it.
People change all the time.
“I can’t believe I used to eat that. It’s incredibly sweet.”
I chuckle again and hand her my drink.
“Here, try this. See if it’s more your speed.”
It’s a simple hot coffee with cream and sugar. Not overly sweet or bitter. I watch her face as she takes a sip, and my eyes lock on her lips touching the edge of the cup where mine have already been. I shift on my feet and clear my throat once she pulls it away, making a humming sound.
“That is much better.”
She tries to hand me back my cup, but I hold my hands up.
“Keep it; I can deal. I messed up not asking you anyways.”
She shakes her head and shoves the cup into my hand.
“I work at a coffee shop, I’m good.”
I take it from her and keep my eyes on her as I bring the cup up to my lips and take a sip. Her eyes drop to my lips and her tongue peeks out to wet her lips. I try to hide my smirk by wiping my mouth, and it pulls her from her stare.
“Do you want to come in?”
She walks around me to her front door, and I frown when she simply opens it and walks in having left it unlocked. I choose not to say anything as I follow her to the kitchen. I don’t want to start this conversation off on a bad note.
“So, did you get a chance to think about my proposal?”
I watch her face to try and see if I can see how she feels about it, but her face stays neutral.
