Temperature's Rising. [WATTYS 2023]

Temperatures Rising: Chapter 42. (p1).

BIG.

Unexpectedly, he found her at his doorstep and graciously stepped aside, ushering her into his meticulously maintained apartment. Closing the door behind her, he observed as she surveyed the open space. "I honestly didn't expect to see you."

Her gaze swiftly moved to the living room area. "You always keep your places so nice and tidy. You're such a clean freak," she laughed. He chuckled in response, saying, "Well, I mean... I can't stand things out of place. You want something to drink?" She nodded, and he headed to the kitchen. She followed, settling at the island and removing her bag while taking in the aroma. "It smells like perfume. Did I come at a bad time?"

"No," he chuckled. "I popped into Bath and Body Works. Caught the candle sale you used to brag about. It's called Strawberries and Cream or some shit, it smells good, doesn't it?"

She smiled. "Yeah, Big. I like the scent very much, and I might be grown, but I still love a Bath and Body Works sale. I should pop in there on my way home." Shifting in her seat as he passed her a glass of cold, sweet iced tea, she thanked him. "I guess I came by because I don't want to end things badly between us, but I also don't want to give you the impression that I want you back or whatever we had going on before my accident. I just came to talk, but first, I need to know what you and Logan have going on and if you know anything more about his past. I never want to go blindly in a relationship."

"Yeah, I would love to talk," he said as he unscrewed the cap on his water.

Seated in the living room, they faced each other, his thumb gently tracing over his cheek as he admired every detail of her. Setting his water down on the coaster, he asked, "Where do you want to start, Heav?"

"My therapist thinks I need to work on my triggers. She and I discussed your visit the other day, and she's essentially why I'm here. I believe it's time we delve into our relationship, especially the night of the accident. What happened then? Where were you? Were we in a good place? Did you sleep with her?" He lightly brushed the tip of his nose with the back of his thumb, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease. "Do we have to talk about this?" he questioned, fully aware that the night of her accident was a significant trigger involving the loss of their child. It was a trigger for him, too, even if he didn't openly admit it. He wished he could have foreseen and prevented it, knowing things would be vastly different.