Midnight\\C.H.

...13...

The wet but light lapping of Duke's tongue awakens me and I open my eyes to Calum's cheek, my head somehow on his shoulder. A smile crosses my lips immediately as I roll to my back with a groan and Duke excitedly climbs up my chest to lick my face and Calum's cheek. Calum grunts and lightly flicks Duke's face before breathing deeply again. Duke and I look at each other, making me giggle before I sit up. I pick up the tiny puppers and we go to the kitchen for breakfast while we let his daddy sleep in.

I refill Duke's water dish and watch him eat the remainder of his food as I get coffee started. Calum is still asleep when its ready so I pour him a mug and carry Duke into the bedroom with me. I slowly climb over to him and place Duke on his chest, letting the loveable canine lick him awake.

"I'm awake, Buddy," Calum groans as he gently pushes Duke off his chest and opens his eyes to me.

"Good morning," I smile at him and hold out his coffee.

"G'Day," he smiles back and takes the mug, readjusting so he can sit up and drink it.

"I'm gonna go get ready so I can take you guys home. Duke is out of food here so he didn't have a good breakfast."

"Okay," he chuckles at me, appreciating my affection for his fur baby.

I take a quick shower and then blow dry my hair before I usher Calum out of my room so I can get dressed. His smirk at me in my towel as he exits makes my heart race and my mind easily jumps to him kissing and touching me in the shower. I take several deep breaths while a attempt to control my urge that demands me to call him back and throw my towel at his face so he can throw me on my bed.

Just friends, I remind myself.

Miles texts as I do my makeup; wishing me a good day and to remind me we are back to tour in only 3 short days. He asks what I am doing and if I will have time to chat later via FaceTime. I chew my lip as I confirm I will, knowing I need to work on this to keep my heart from always pining after Calum. He wants me to move on too. So I need to try.

I pull into Calum's driveway and he grabs Duke's bowl before freezing and turning to me, "Are you doing anything today? Do you have plans?"

I think about my empty schedule, only my FaceTime with Miles and shake my head, "No."

"Do you want to go grocery shopping with me? Help me get some quick and easy but healthy meals to have on hand?"

"Sure," I agree with a chuckle.

"Okay, let me just go feed Duke real quick and I'll be right out."

"Okay," I nod and he heads inside with his beloved dog.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"You're insane," Calum laughs at me as I drop the bags of groceries on his island, my whole arms loaded with dangling bags.

"I am not a two trip bitch, Calum," I remind him.

"Oh I know," he laughs as he begins putting the items away in his kitchen.

I do my best to assist before he meets me at the pantry and takes the can from my hands, "I like soup in the cupboard by the stove. Do you want to make lunch while I put this away?"

"Why do I have to cook? I've already made you three meals," I put my hand on my hip and he chuckles.

"Because I'm making you dinner," he boops my nose and then steps to the stove to place the can in the cupboard he prefers.

"Okay," I roll my eyes, but smile too.

We weave in an out of each other as I collect the things to make sandwiches and we eat them at the island once he is finished with the groceries.