Tinted Window

Chapter Seven

I wake up with a blazing headache. I can't remember much. But I can remember Lexi. Talking to her. Coming home. And... I look next to me to find a sleeping Lexi, curled up in my comforter, clearly wearing nothing. I feel my face heat up as the night begins to piece together. I look around the room, our clothes scatter the floor. An unopened condom sits on the nightstand beside me, next to my phone that is blowing up with messages from Joshua. I groan lowly, grabbing my head as I stand up. I haven't been hungover for a long time. I thought I would want to drink more if I started again after kicking my addiction but honestly if I never touch another glass of wine in my life I would be pleased. I grab my boxers off the floor and pull them up, looking back at Lexi as she snores softly into my pillow, gripping it for dear life, a sweet smile on her lips as she huffs my scent.

I'm sure she would appreciate some breakfast after last night.

I hurry to the bathroom as quietly as possible and grab a bottle of ibuprofen with a small cup of water, setting it gently on her side on the nightstand. I remember doing this for Veronica before when she drank too much at her book club. I shake off the thought as I retreat swiftly out of the room and into the kitchen.

Does she like eggs?

"Tell me more about yourself." I smile, sipping my wine as she shifts at the bar seat.

"Well. I don't know. I like karaoke. I work at a dentist's office. Vegetarian since I was... I think 15? Maybe 16. My favorite colour is yellow..."

I smile as I open the fridge. "Eggs are safe. Maybe some toast. Hash browns. And some orange juice." I mumble, beginning to scramble a few eggs in a bowl. "Alexa. Play Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran." I call out. The music starts and I smirk. I can remember dancing to this last night with Lexi, we glided so perfectly together.

"Wow. You have a way of making a hangover look effortless." A raspy voice whispers from the doorway. My eyes shift to Lexi, making my heart skip a beat as I look her up and down. My shirt hangs loosely off her shoulder, ending right below her hips. Her hair is a mess, a sleepy grin spread across her face. I feel my face heat up as I nod.

"From a surviving alcoholic. I know my ways around it. Hungry?" I make her a plate of food and set it at the counter. She eagerly sits as I pour her a cup of orange juice, she immediately shovels food in her mouth, moaning in contempt.

"Wow. You are a life saver." She chuckles, covering her mouth with her hand as she speaks, cheeks full of hash browns.

"I can't remember much of last night. But I figure I owe you breakfast. I can only imagine what we umm... Did?" I say quizzingly, a sneaky grin spreads across Lexi's face as I plate my food. I take a big mouthful of eggs as she nods.

"We had sex." She whispers. "It was... Passionate, sexy, and hot."

I almost choke on my food, I can remember a lot now. Her on top of me, hair pulling. Name calling. Scratching. I definitely remember forgetting about that condom on my nightstand. Maybe I shouldn't bring that up right now.

"So... Now what?" I whisper. Lexi chuckles, setting down her fork as she examines my nervous expression.

"Now, we spend this beautiful Sunday together. You know there is this really nice craft fair happening in downtown Los Angeles. I would love to take us." She shrugs, taking a sip of her juice.

I feel myself sigh in relief. I was scared this was gonna be a one night stand, I don't think I could forgive myself if it was. I'm actually surprised she didn't sneak out this morning. I'm not sure how one night stands usually work, but thankfully, it's not whatever this was.

"Mark. We talked a lot last night. Now I understand you don't remember much but. You made it very clear a one night stand wasn't your intention. And I slept with you anyway. Because I didn't want a one night stand. I like you. A lot actually. You seem like an amazing guy. I would like to get to know you if you would let me."

I shift on my feet, my breath catches in my throat as I shove a fork full of scrambled eggs in my mouth. "I would like that a lot."