forget-me-not

Chapter 10

I surprisingly felt like I was going to sleep through the night without waking up. I hear sighing and thought it was me. I open my eyes to see Jake sitting up in bed, his head in his hands. I sit up and rest my head on his back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I whisper in the dark. He shakes his head and lays me down. This time I'm the big spoon. I hold him close to me, like he does, and hope it comforts him the same. I fall back asleep while running my hand through his hair.

"Do you think one of us will ever not have nightmares?" I ask during breakfast.

"Highly unlikely." He laughs.

We had a pretty normal weekend. Nothing has come up on the cameras yet, but I know Jake is just waiting on Danny to show up again. Our weekend consisted of a lot of porch sitting, walking around the neighborhood, and talking about what wine we should drink next week. Oh and a lot of kissing, if you even had to guess. I don't know how we'll ever control ourselves around each other.

It's Monday morning and we're both getting ready to go to the shop. I decide to wear one of my floral dresses. I've been lounging in a lot of pajama sets or no sets and want to feel pretty. I throw on a little bit of makeup and meet Jake at the front door.

"You get prettier every time I lay my eyes on you. I'm obsessed with you." Jake tells me, looking me up and down. Those brown eyes can seduce me in seconds. He looks at me like he's already undressed me with his eyes. "Come here." He grabs my hips and kisses me slowly, sliding his hands all around my dress.

"I'm pretty obsessed with you and your body, too." I say between kisses. We've been intimate every night, at least, like we're making up for the lost years. And sometimes it truly doesn't feel like enough skin to skin. Sometimes it seems so unrealistic.

"I love when you wear dresses." He whispers in my ear, kissing down my neck. His hands begin to slide my dress up when there's a knock at the door. We look at each other and silently debate ignoring it and then he peers through the peephole.

"Jane." He whispers. I fix my hair and makeup in the mirror as he opens the door after fixing himself.

"I thought I'd drop off congratulatory flowers for your first day back. I know it's only a half day and all that, but you're going." She says. I set the flowers on the table behind the couch and give her a hug.

"How sweet of you." Jake says. She hits his shoulder.

"Oh, shut up." She laughs. "Make sure you put this guy to work."

"Don't worry, I've got a few ideas." I laugh back. Jake throws his hands up and motions for us to head out the door. I hug Jane goodbye and so does Jake and then we leave for the shop. I normally open the shop at nine in the morning but we're here at 8:30. We got here early to discuss what changes I may want to make. I told Julie she could have a much deserved day off.

It's been the same here for two years and I've never had a real man around to do things for me. Also, my brain needs something to focus on. I explain to him that I want to move a few things around, add some outdoor furniture, flower holders, and redo cosmetics in the bathroom.

"Do you think you'll be busy enough?"

"I think I'll have a hard time focusing but yes, definitely busy enough." He kisses me. It's looking like a pretty mellow Monday which is good for us. We sit on pinterest and look up furniture and things to buy. After we get a good idea, we decide we'll go to a few stores and close up early. I throw a sign on the door and text Julie to post it on our Instagram. I think I eventually want to take it back over.

It was a very easy and not anxious first half day back. We close up the shop around 12:30 in the afternoon and head out for lunch and shopping.

"I think doing these little changes will make a big difference. And it gives my brain something to think about." I tell Jake over lunch.