Always Have Paris

Chapter 6 • Anniversary

"Time won't make it right, I know that
I can't make it mine, I'm over"

Anniversary // Novo Amor

***

Soft, intermittent vibrations stir Abby from her sleep and she huffs out a breath with an unimpressed groan that makes me smile. Her phone has been going off every few minutes for a while now, but since I can't talk to her or do anything, really, I've been stuck here in my bed listening to it.

At least you're with your woman, mate. Don't be such a complainer.

With a grunt, Abby rolls over to the edge and the sound finally stops.

"Hey, Paulette," Abby groggily says. "What? Calm down. Yes, I'm fine. I stayed at Harry's last night. Shit, I'm a terrible flatmate. I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier, it was chaotic and shocking, but um, Harry passed away yesterday. Oh God, I still can't believe it."

Yeah, neither can I.

"No, I don't think I can go to work today. I barely got enough sleep. I'll call Dr. Campbell and explain. I'm sure he'll understand. No, I haven't had breakfast yet. Oh, okay, if you're sure. That would be lovely. Thank you. Just the usual. Okay, see you in a bit, love. Bye."

So what's going on? What did Paulette say?

Abby answers me with an exaggerated yawn that makes me smile. I watch her stretch her arms above her head and with a heavy exhale, she gets up. Since she's gathering her clothes from yesterday, I assume she's going to take a shower, so I know I have at least twenty minutes to a half hour.

Don't use all the hot water!

She doesn't acknowledge my request and it hits me that I don't need to take a shower. I can't even change clothes, Hell, I don't know how that would work, so I decide to wait for her right here.

Thankfully my timing isn't the same as the living's, so it feels like I haven't waited for Abby that long. Imaginary breath is caught in my throat as I watch her walk back into my bedroom while towel drying her wet hair, wearing nothing but one of my towels wrapped around her petite figure.

With one swift tug, the towel is pooled at her feet and my jaw drops. I don't know how it's possible, but my dick is as hard as a rock and if I could, I'd throw her on the bed and make love to her like I should've done the night before.

At least then I could love her the way she deserves to be loved and she wouldn't have to do all the work.

"Harry?"

My eyes shoot up to hers at the sound of my name.

Yes, Abby? Can you hear me?

"Ugh, I'm so stupid," she chides herself and finishes getting dressed in her clothes. "He's gone, Abigail."

Well, I'm not technically gone. If you want to get technical.

A knock at the door startles Abby and I follow her into the living room. She pulls her hair up in a messy bun, a style that I've always found attractive on her, and she opens the front door. Abby and Paulette make cat-like sounds and immediately embrace each other in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Abby. I know how close you two were."

"Closer than you think," Abby says and Paulette raises her eyebrows in interest. "Come in and I'll explain."

"I'm not gonna lie, I'm very intrigued," Paulette says and we move to sit on the sofa. "Here's your egg sammie and a coffee with cream and sugar."

With two lumps, I bet. And I've told you before, Abs, you don't need that extra sugar cos you're sweet already.