Page 81 of Luci’s Lullaby

“Oh, really? What’s he like, I think I did forget?”

Her brows snap together. “You haven’t forgotten, you just needed some time off.”

“No truer words have been spoken.” I rub the back of my neck.

“How about some Zombies until Luci wakes up.” The corners of her eyes crinkle when she smiles.

“I’m down for that. We can grab some blankets and popcorn.”

“If I keep hangin’ out with you, I’m gonna weigh a thousand pounds.” She scoots in front of me as we walk toward the living room.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you about the same size you were in high school?”

She trips, falling forward. I wrap her wrist, trying to catch her, but we both fall to the couch. We’re tangled in more ways than one, and I like it. We laugh as soon as we figure out we’re okay.

“What were you doing?”

“Well, I was fallin’ on my ass until you came along to save me and fell on top of me instead.” She giggles.

“If that’s the way you’re gonna thank me, I’ll let the couch catch you from now on.”

“Oh, please. You’re not offended. I’m pretty sure you coped a feel on the way down.” She bites her bottom lip to keep from laughing.

I give her my best shy grin. “I didn’t feel much, just a cheek.”

“Sorry about that. I’ll try to fall forward next time so you can get some boob action.” She waggles her brows.

I hover over her, fighting the attraction that’s so palpable between us. “That’ll work, just give me a heads up so I can have both hands free.” Her mouth pops open. “Oh, no. Not on the second date, save that stuff for the fourth or fifth date.”

She wriggles and worms underneath me. “You let me get outta here, or you’re gonna get it.”

“Well then, please be my guest.” I let her go as her eyes widen.

“You’re gonna pay. Maybe not now, but soon I’m gonna get you.” She pokes me in the side as she slides out from under me.

I catch her by the wrist, yanking her back down. “Not so fast. I want to play slip-n-slide some more.”

She slaps at me, giggling. “I thought we were going to watch a Zombie Fest.”

“We are. Grab the blankets, and I’ll start the popcorn.”

“Do you have ranch dressing?” She wrinkles her nose.

I stare at her. “No, you’re joking. Right?”

“I love popcorn dipped in ranch.” She smiles.

“I do too.”

“You lie!” She bumps me with her shoulder. “Tell me you’re lying.”

“I will not. Go get the blankets, I’ll get the popcorn and we’ll chow down like Zombies eating brains.”

She holds her arms up in front of her. “Brains.”

“Stop, you’re scaring me.” I pretend to hide my eyes as we laugh.

We spend the rest of the day chilling. Luci wakes and joins us for dinner. As night falls, we settle in watching old movies. Charlee is tucked beside me holding Luci.

“She asleep?” I whisper.

“Almost.” Charlee nuzzles Luci’s cheek.

I’m lost in thought when I start humming. Charlee’s head lulls on my shoulder, and I rest my cheek on hers. The song brings a smile to my face when I think about lyrics I’d written years ago, the words now so fitting.

“Livin’ in a world where everything changes in a flash, I can’t imagine a heart changin’ that fast. You see who I am and still believe, I’m better than I allow myself to be. Your blues eyes haunt me, even in my dreams and I don’t know what it means. But, oh, what I do know, is that I’ll never forget you, not in this life or the one I dream of with you.”

I feel Charlee’s pulse race, and I love how my words disturb the rhythm of her heart. I glance at her, she’s gazing at me. Her face is lit up as she holds Luci to her chest.

She licks her lips, and it’s like a magnet drawing me closer. Our mouths mere inches apart as I stare into her eyes. The heat from her body warms my soul. The part of me I thought was dead now shows signs of life.

She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip, and I watch it deepen in color. My lips part, and her eyes dart to them as my heart thunders in my chest. She releases a heavy sigh as if she’s been holding her breath.

And my phone rings making Luci jump and begin to cry.

Fuck.