Always Have Paris

Chapter 16 • Oh Brother

"Oh covered in my pain
Keep me in your way"

Oh Brother // Cyrus Reynolds featuring
Novo Amor

***

Resting my hands behind my head, I blow out a breath that I know isn't real and stare at the bedroom ceiling. Even in my weird state that I'm in now, I'm relieved I still have my sense of touch because I feel amazing.

Had I known we'd have mind-blowing shags, I would've told her about my feelings ages ago.

"It's so weird," Abby's voice brings me out of my thoughts and I turn my head on her pillow.

"What's weird, love?"

"That there's nothing . . . there after we uhm . . . y'know . . . since you didn't use a . . . y'know . . ." Abby trails off, moving to sit on the edge of her bed.

Since she's dressed in her scrubs again, it reminds me that we can't stay here in her bed together for a while.

Damn.

"Look on the bright side; there's no chance of an unexpected surprise nine months down the road," I offer, sitting up in the bed and I hold out my arms for her.

"True, but it also means we can never have kids," she points out, moving to straddle my lap with her arms around my shoulders. "Oh, I didn't think about that. I know it's silly to talk about right now since we just got engaged, but it just now clicked," her countenance falls and she inhales sharply. "It's only been one week since you passed and everything is different. God, this is so confusing. No, wait. It isn't. It's wonderful because we're together and that's all that matters."

A small smile appears on her face and she leans down to kiss me.

"I love you, Abby."

"I love you, too," she grins and kisses me one more time. "My shift begins in half an hour so we should probably leave now, that's if you want to go with me."

"It's not like I have a choice, Abs. I'm stuck to you like glue. In fact, just call me Elmer."

She presses her eyebrows in confusion and it's like a lightbulb goes off.

"Oh, that was a classic Harry joke," Abby giggles and pecks my lips. "Okay, we should really leave now so I won't be late."

"Alright, but you've been moving very provocatively on my lap for a while, so I need a minute before I can move."

A sinful smile tugs at her lips and I realize that she's purposely been moving on me.

If I'm her angel, then she's my devil.

***

"I'm dreading this," Abby says while putting the gearshift in Park.

Letting out a nervous breath, Abby looks over at the veterinary clinic building and she takes my hand in hers.

"But Paulette said she smoothed things over with your boss."

"Yeah, and that's why. She saved my internship all for nothing. As soon as I get my ducks in a row, we're moving to Paris. I'm aiming for this coming Monday."

I open my mouth to once again try to talk some sense into her, but she gets out of the car before I can speak. Huffing out a frustrated, fake breath, I step out of the car and follow her up to the building's entrance.

She opens the door, holding it open until I catch up and we walk inside. We're greeted by one of the patients barking at us while his owner tries to shush him. I wave at the dog and he starts barking like mad, making his owner both confused and frustrated.