Page 102 of (My Accidental) Killer Summer

Elle

I waketo the feel of Noah’s lips brushing across my forehead and a smile takes over my lips. I reach for him, only to pat an empty space next to me.

“Hey, beautiful,” he says. I pry one eye open to see he’s already showered and dressed.

“Hrmph,” I say back.

“I brought you coffee, it’s here on the nightstand.” He sounds way too awake for how long he fucked me last night.

“I’m going to bring the kids to school. The penultimate day according to Jill. They’re eating breakfast now. If you want to go back to sleep, I’ll put some breakfast for you in the microwave so you can eat when you wake up.”

“No.” I push myself up on one arm. “I’mawake.” It comes out like one word. Sleep still thick in my voice.

“Want me to warm up the shower for you?” he asks.

I shake my head and squint at him. “Why’re yousoawake?”

“It’s a fanfuckingtastic day, baby. I’m just trying to enjoy as much of it as I can.”

If he were any cheerier, I’d have to give him my really pretty smile.

“Downinasec,” I mumble.

Before I can stop him, he kisses me. He, of course, tastes like mint and coffee. While I, well shit, even I can taste the roadkill that must have died in my mouth overnight.

I try to protest and mention morning breath. But it comes out as more unintelligible nonsense. He pulls back, smiling, then kisses the tip of my nose. “I’ll see you downstairs.”

I do my thing and polish off the cup of coffee Noah brought me and then and head downstairs. Surprised to see that both kids are awake and dressed, even though Noah said they were already eating, and he was taking them to school.

“Hey, mom,” Jill says.

“Hey, you guys are up early.” I refill my coffee mug, then prep the carafe for a fresh pot of coffee. I have a feeling I’m going to need a lot of it today.

“Yeah.” Jill shrugs. “One more day and we can sleep as long as we want.”

God, I miss those days.

Jaq comes in from the backyard with Kiki V-T trailing happily behind them. “Hey, Mom. Dad’s going to take us to school, you don’t need to worry about it.

“I heard,” I say.

“Is he moving back in?” Jill asks just as Noah comes in the room.

He kisses Jill on the top of her head as he passes her. “Sure am.” He says at the same time I say, “We’re talking about it.”

Jaq snickers. “That hasn’t changed.”

Noah moves to stand next to me by the coffee maker. He looks at me, “We’re talking about it?”

My face heats. “I just wasn’t sure…”

“After last night? And the night before? And yesterday?” He asks, sounding shocked.

So I turn to the kids. “What would you guys say if we were getting back together?”

“I’d say, about time,” Jill says.

“Same,” Jaq shrugs.