Roses

Chapter 19

Zoey

I open my eyes and stare at my ceiling. It takes exactly one second for my brain to pull up images of last night. His lips, his hands....

I sit up and slowly run a finger on my lips. They are sensitive and slightly swollen. So it did happen. I kissed Adam Thorns. Fuck.

Nothing could have prepared me for how it felt to be touched by him last night. To be his. His hands were the right kind of firm--the kind to let you know he can do whatever he wants but all he wants to do is treasure you.

I have no clue where our relationship stands now. Was it just a drunken mistake? Or are we a thing now? And if we are, is it going to be casual?

I wince at the thought. Nothing about fucking him casually sits right with me. I have a strong feeling I'd get my heart shattered if that happened. So I decide I'll kick him goodbye if he starts expecting me to be his booty call.

I get out of bed and start the shower. Last night I was too tired to do a proper skincare routine even though I had a full face of makeup on. I'd just rubbed a wipe on my face after removing my clothes and crashed. So I take extra care to remove the remnants of last night's makeup on my face and then continue with my shower routine.

An hour later I'm dressed and having toast in my kitchen. Adam had mentioned to the Chief that he'd bring me to the police station today. But I've heard nothing from him so far. I checked my phone and other than the missed call from Jack there's nothing. I'll wait till I finish my breakfast and then head out myself. I don't need him to-

As if on cue, there's a knock at the door. I open it to find Adam at my doorstep with two coffees to go. He looks dressed down. And not just compared to last night. He is in dark blue jeans. I didn't think he even owned a pair.

"Good morning," he says with a smile and my heart flutters like a lovesick teenager. Of course all he has to do is give me a smile for me to completely abandon all my plans of kicking him away.

"Morning," I try to say nonchalantly. I'm already embarrassed by my body's reaction to him. He doesn't have to know it too.

"Invite me inside." His smile stays the same but something changes in his eyes. It's a complicated mix of vulnerability and hope. It confuses me so much I don't think twice about what he said, and not asked; and open my door wider and step aside.

His smile does the impossible task of turning even more dazzling and he walks inside like he's planning to never leave.

He waits as I close the door and then follows me into the kitchen. I take one seat around the small table and gesture him to take the other. He sits across from me and pushes a coffee towards me.

"You didn't have to-"

"I wanted to," he cuts me off as if he knew exactly what I was going to say.

"Thank you," I say after a pause and smile at him. "Can I get you something?"

"No, thank you." He takes a sip of his coffee and settles in his chair.

I've spent time with him alone before. I've eaten with him too. But this feels different. A domesticity surrounds us, that only appeared strange for a moment before comforting me. I like this.

I wonder if he can feel it too.

Once we finish, I pick up my plate and both the empty paper cups and walk to the sink. He looks like he's about to say something but doesn't, choosing to watch me instead.

I dump the cups into the trash can and then do the dishes. I found the dishwasher broken when I came back to Roses but didn't get a new one. I like putting effort into keeping the kitchen clean.