Only in Dreams(14)
Frantically, I return to my suitcase, pulling out a sheer dress, then a lacy blouse, and a gorgeous vintage mini skirt. I make my way to the closet, hanging the clothes up with care. Stop thinking about him, Paige. His strong shoulders, those muscles on his upper arms when they lifted that massive log, those eyes as they were staring back up at me. Henry! Henry has amazing blue eyes, I remind myself sternly. You love those eyes, the ones you get lost in. You can stare into them for hours while he talks about anything. Henry has the most amazing smile. Then I remember Christian’s smile. The way one lip lifts higher on one side. That goofy, crooked smile with one deep dimple. That’s something I used to get lost in, that dimple.
My phone rings. I’m thankful for the interruption. I race across the room, grabbing it off the nightstand and look at the picture on the front. Henry, there he is smiling back at me. My heart starts to race. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself before answering. I swipe my finger across the phone.
“Hi baby.” My voice cracks a little.
“Hello beautiful,” he responds, and the panic inside me calms, his voice a reminder of what I have now. “I guess you made it all right?”
“Sorry, I should have called.”
“No, I’m sure you’ve had a ton of catching up to do with Emmie. Have you girls been going on non-stop?”
I pause, wondering if I should tell him about Christian again. “Actually, I fell asleep.”
“You’re kidding me? Are you feeling all right?” Henry asks, chuckling.
“Yeah, I set my bags down, and next thing I knew I was asleep,” I answer honestly.
“I’m a little jealous. I tried to nap earlier, but I couldn’t sleep without you next to me.”
“You? Nap?” I question. “You never nap. Who is this?”
Henry laughs again. I’ve missed that laugh. He enjoys my sarcasm, which I love because that means I get to hear that laugh a lot. “Actually, I’ve had a headache I can’t seem to shake. I thought a nap might do me good.”
“Honey,” I begin, my voice shifting to one heavy with concern. “You had a headache before I left.”
“I know.”
“That’s not normal.”
“It’s fine. I’ve just not been taking as good of care of myself as I should. Someone keeps me up all night, not that I’m complaining. I’ll give up sleep any day for that.”
I realize I’m smiling.
“I miss you,” he adds softly.
“Me too.”
“I miss your body,” Henry continues.
“Oh yeah?” I inquire, hoping for more, as I make myself comfortable on the bed.
“Yeah.”
“And what exactly about my body do you miss?” I ask, eagerly awaiting the details.
“Your legs.”
“You like my legs, huh?”
“Especially when they’re wrapped around me. When I can run my hands down your soft back until they meet your ass. I love holding your amazing ass while you rock against me.”
“Henry!” I squeal.
“What? I thought that’s what you wanted,” he replies in an innocent tone.
“You’re going to make me fly back home tonight if you don’t watch it.”
“Don’t tempt me.”
“I love you.” The words slide out of me effortlessly. It’s not a part I’m playing—it’s my life. In the back of my mind I am processing the idea. I’m okay with Christian being here, because I mean those words when I say them to Henry. The things I feel when I see Christian are hauntings from my past, and I can handle that, because I have Henry. And I love him.
“I love you, too. Can I call you tomorrow?” he asks.
“You better,” I say, staring at the ceiling.
“Go hang out with your friend, have some fun tonight, and then get to work tomorrow,” he instructs.
“Okay, you don’t have to twist my arm. Promise you’ll get some rest?”
“I’ll do my best in this cold, lonely bed.”
“Don’t make me feel bad or anything,” I gasp, acting as though I were hurt.
“You should feel bad. You’re forcing me to get takeout for one. Do you know how pathetic that is?”
“Very,” I say, taking in a deep breath. “Smells like I’ll be having a home-cooked meal.”
“Oh, you’re so cruel.”
“I try,” I say before laughing wickedly.
“I miss you.” His voice is now soft and sincere.
“I miss you, too.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, baby,” I say, and then wait for him to hang up first.
I WATCH IN amazement as Emmie and Colin scurry around one another. Their movements are like a dance—there is no music, but they’re in harmony together. Colin grabs the baby bag, throwing it over his shoulder, while Emmie, with Olivia on her hip, grabs a couple snacks with her free hand. She spins, tossing them to Colin, who catches them effortlessly, placing them with the other items he has been collecting. Emmie wastes no time grabbing Olivia’s favorite blanket, and Colin places the stroller on his spare arm.