Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103754 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“New dreams, huh?” Nothing new comes to mind, but I realize I can still pull from an old compartment hidden in my heart of discarded things I used to dream about. One comes to mind, and I lean forward and blow out the candles.
He turns on a lamp nearby, and asks, “What did you wish for?”
Generally, I’m not one to share such things, but nothing feels off-limits with him. And maybe my mom is onto something with manifestation, and I should put my wish into the universe. “To be able to follow my passion again.”
“I like that.” He reaches for a present and sets it on my lap. “Let’s open gifts.”
I’m about to rip it open, but then it dawns on me. Holding the gift, which has some weight to it, I stop and dip my head to tap away the little tears threatening my good time. When Keats’s arms come around me, he says, “We don’t have to do this now if you’re too tired.”
I rest my hand on his arm and reply, “No, it’s okay. I want to. I just realized this is the first time I’ve ever celebrated my birthday on the day I was born.” It comes out heavier than intended, but I’m not upset. I’m so happy that everything feels like it’s finally fallen into place.
Rubbing my back, he gives me a smile that he feels the same. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I rip the gift wrap, then pause to stare at the box. He says, “You can exchange for any camera you like. The guy said this was a good—”
“It’s great, so much nicer than my other one, and that one was super advanced. I just can’t believe you got me a camera.” It’s like he knew I’d be making that wish to get back into photography. We’re so in tune with each other. I reach up and hug him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But there’s one more.”
Considering I know how much that camera set him back, another present is the last thing I expect. I lift the lid on the box to see a key card and a metal one hanging from a ribbon. Being here was accepted like we’d had the conversation about moving in together. We haven’t. I look at him with more love than my heart can hold and lift the ribbon between us. “Is this a hint?”
“No, it’s a full out ask. Will you live with me, Spark?”
On a warm spring day in April, I use my keys to get into the apartment and call for him, “Keats?”
“Back here.”
I run down the hall to the bedroom and dive into bed next to him. “What are you doing naked in bed in the middle of the day?”
He flips me under him, and the pressure of his erection prods between my legs. “Waiting for you.” He attacks my lips with kisses and nips while his hands are busy getting me naked.
“I have good news.” I wrap my arms around his neck and lift my ass so he can pull my pants down.
Tugging the collar of my shirt to expose my collarbone, he stops licking to ask, “What is that?”
“I got a new job.”
CHAPTER 33
KEATS
Shutters snap in a barrage of swift clicks. The sound comes so fast that it used to freak me out when I’d be startled awake, but I’ve come to identify the rapid firing of Sosie’s camera. Especially when the season changes or a storm rolls in, and the light is “just right” as she claims. I just wish I wasn’t her favorite subject.
“Are you taking photos of me again?” I peek out from under my arm I’ve draped across my forehead to block out the light.
“I am.” She doesn’t even try to hide it, which makes me chuckle.
The blinds should be down, but Sosie loves this early hour, the one after night has gone and morning hasn’t arisen. She calls it the magic hour. The evening has the golden hour, so it only makes sense, I suppose. The light is transformed for such a short time that she tries to take full advantage of the fleeting change. “Truthfully, how many photos does one person need of another?”
Another round of lightning-fast clicks sounds before I feel the dip of the mattress. She rolls to her back and lies next to me, making this my favorite time of day as well. She’s naked beside me. Reaching over, I run my hand over her bare breast before encountering cold metal and hard plastic. She’s fallen asleep with it looped around her neck before, spent hours at her apartment developing photos late into the night, and taken thousands of photos of me for practice. Though I suspect there were nefarious intentions all along when she started creating a wallpaper from the photos of me in the bedroom of the other apartment. Sometimes I really regret buying that camera. But for her, I’ll continue endure this form of torture because it makes her happy.