Page 80

“It’s a bit silly, but… I likeGoodnight Moon.”
The book in question was on the table, just under the light.It looked well loved, with its cracked spine and the binding peeking through it.
“So do I,” I said and grabbed it.“Shall we read it together?”
She nodded and scooted over in her bed, making space for me.I crawled in but stayed over the covers and opened up the book.
Bella’s hand found my waist, and her face buried into my arm.I started reading as slowly and rhythmically as possible.I wanted this to last.But the book was short.
When I reached the end, I felt droplets sink into my clothes.Bella was still holding on to me.
“I think we can go one more time,” I murmured and flipped the book over to start again.
She relaxed into me and, slowly, after our third read-through, fell into a deep sleep.
* * *
“No skinny dipping tonight?”Lux asked as she joined me in the backyard.
The fire was roaring, warming the space, but as soon as she showed up, the air turned scalding.
Bella was fast asleep, had been for almost two hours.Story time had knocked her right out, and I even stayed for ten minutes afterwards so as not to wake her when I left.She was out for the night, leaving me and Lux all alone together.
She sat down across from me, her long legs crossing.She had a silk pajama set on that shone in the light of the fire.It looked like it cost some serious money, but I was used to that about Lux by now.Everything she owned, down to her socks, was by some expensive brand.
But she never made a big deal out of it, and she never made me feel less than.
I showed her the glass of red wine I poured myself.The rest of the cheap bottle was in front of me.I had gotten it one hour before at the nearest liquor store.
“Heard hot-tubbing and drinking don’t mix well,” I said.
She leaned forward, turning the bottle so she could take a look at the label.
“Why didn’t you get something from the wine cellar?”
I didn’t know you had one.
Plus, even if I did, it just felt wrong to raid your alcohol like that.
But I chose to keep that to myself and instead went with, “There was a sale.”
She grimaced and stood up without another word.When she returned, she was holding two glasses of red and offered me one.
I hesitated before placing mine on the table and grabbing hers.
When I took a swig, I immediately tasted the difference.Dry.Fruity.And extremely smooth.
“Okay, this is much better.”
“There’s a few things I live by in this world.One of them is not wasting time drinking shitty alcohol.”
“And the other?”I asked, bringing the glass to my lips.
A smirk pulled at her lips.
“If I want something—I mean,trulywant something—I won’t give up until I get it.”
Her eyes were trained on me, the meaning obvious.