Falling Forward ✔

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Reece

I stare at the computer screen, eye the project guidelines with disgust, and tap angrily at the odd-looking graphic with my mouse.

"This stupid thing!" I bark, thrumming my fingers over the keys, leaving a senseless string of consonants and vowels in the center of my website design. With a grumble, I set my laptop on the couch beside me and wander into the kitchen.

There, I find Bas with his nose in a container full of Christmas cookies. He glances up, looking like a chipmunk with his face half-stuffed with sweets where he offers me the box. "Wan' one? Cookies ma' every'n be'er."

That makes me laugh and I pluck up a peanut butter cookie. "Don't talk with your mouth full."

He obediently chews and swallows. "Want some milk?"

"Sure."

"I'll get it." He opens a cabinet and plucks a glass off the top shelf. The sight of him in our little kitchen makes my heart soar. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to how dinky he makes everything seem. "Can't have cookies without milk."

"Learn that from your mother?" I tease.

I swear, one week with his family and I gained five pounds. The sheer amount of food Odette Killfeather managed to force down my throat still amazes even me. I'd felt like a blowfish when we boarded our plane home.

Bas sets the glass of milk down and tugs on my wrist, thumb brushing old scars. I glide into his touch, press my face into his chest, and sigh, feeling warm and protected. He rests his chin on the top of my head, heartbeat thrumming against my cheek.

"It was great having you meet them," he says, hands traversing my back and hips tenderly.

I nod against him, content to remain in his arms and say nothing. With Bas, everything's brighter, easier. I've never felt more comfortable with someone like I have with Bas. Not even Kaila. With him, I don't have to hide or pretend that everything's fine.

We stay like that for several more moments until somewhere in the apartment, a door opens, and voices echo down the hall. I slip from Bas's hold as Kaila and Spencer appear in the doorway.

Kaila's wearing Spencer's shirt, the material just barely managing to reach her mid-thigh. He's at her side, shirtless but at least with sweats. They both look sex-tousled and startled at the sight of us.

Beside me, Bas chuckles under his breath and eyes his friend with dark amusement. "Up before noon, I'm impressed."

Spencer flips him off.

"You're back!" Kaila cries, flinging herself at me. Her hug almost knocks me off my feet.

"Well duh," I deadpan, returning her embrace for a long minute. "Happy New Year!"

She laughs and pulls back, bouncing on her tiptoes. "Happy New Year Reeciecup!" Then, in a more subdued voice, "When did you guys get in? I didn't hear anything last night." Kaila glances over her shoulder with a mischievous smirk on her lips.

Spencer meets her look, affection all over his face as he claps Bas on the shoulder. "If anything, Blue, they heard you."

Kaila flushes with delight, making me equal parts happy for them and uncomfortable with the mention of their sex life. Spencer, unconcerned, turns to his friend, "Back from the big leagues, you remember us little people?"

Bas feigns confusion. "Who are you, again? I swear we went to college together."

Spencer clutches his chest. "Ouch."

The two banter back and forth so Kaila grips my hand and drags me from the room. "I want to know everything about your trip!" She gushes, leading me to her bedroom and plopping down on the disheveled sheets. I opt for the desk chair, spinning it around to face her excited expression.