Page 154 of Eternal

DAMIR

“Sea Of Love” by Cat Power

Present

I ’m in the living room with breakfast ready.

She was still curled up in bed when I got up, hair messy, face soft in sleep.

I didn’t want to wake her, so I made her favorite: a big bowl of yogurt with cereal, coffee steaming beside it.

The light’s spilling into the room right when she walks in, fresh from the shower, hair damp and curling around her neck like it always does.

She looks like a fucking angel. Soft and effortless and pretty.

She sits next to me, still blinking the morning out of her eyes, but there’s a focus there too, like she’s already somewhere else in her head.

“How’s my partner doing this morning?” I ask.

She laughs, grabs the bowl, and starts eating. “My arms, back, and thighs hurt. Can’t figure out why.”

A low chuckle escapes me. I lean in, kiss her quickly, can’t help it. “Sounds like you had a good night, then.”

She shakes her head with a grin, spoon halfway to her mouth.

I should be sitting still, but I can’t, I’m wired, excited.

Today’s the last push, the house is almost ready, I only need two months to finish it all.

But I’ve got everything in place for tonight.

The candles, the books she mentioned after calling Zanae to ask her for some recommendations. It’s all coming together.

I wish I wasn’t leaving her alone on her birthday, but I tell myself it’s worth it. She’s going to lose her mind when she sees it, Vik and Kat will be there too.

A big dinner, fireworks again, probably.

She’s going to be happy.

“Got some things to finish up outside the city,” I tell her. “I’ll pick you up later, I want to show you something.”

She hesitates for a second. Like disappointment flickers across her face before she catches it. I see it anyway, and I swear, I want to pick her up and stuff her in my pocket so she never feels that again.

I lean in, kiss her cheek, softer this time. “ Baby … don’t look at me like that. I’m planning something for you. Trust me.”

She nods after a second, a smile curling at the edge of her lips. “No, it’s okay. I’ve got a place I need to check out tonight.”

I pause. “What kind?”

She stirs her coffee. “Just looking for some proof. Nothing violent. I promise.”

I don’t push. Not today.

While she’s sipping her coffee, I slide a note into her jacket pocket, quietly. She sees me, though, half-smiles, but she doesn’t ask.

I stand, brush crumbs off my jeans, grab my keys. “Alright. Be careful. You call me if you need anything, yeah? I’ll text you when I come back.”

“Noted. Be careful too.”

I kiss the top of her head, she smells like soap and warmth.

She watches me go, and I feel her eyes on my back the whole way out.

My heart’s already racing, like it remembers her better than I do.