Chapter 29
<Callie Stevens>
Streaks of sunlight warm my face from the thin curtains on the window next to my bed. I roll over and find Andrew's arm around me, the softness of his Dallas Cowboys t-shirt rubbing against my shoulder. I smile to myself as I run my fingers through his messy hair. He catches my hand and kisses the back of it, his eyes still closed.
It's the third night he's slept at my apartment this week. He told me there were rats in his apartment and he was waiting on the exterminators to come take care of the problem. I didn't believe him; the gleam in his eyes gave him away immediately, but I wasn't going to argue. The domesticity of the situation was comfortable and safe. I liked knowing I was coming home to someone instead of the emptiness that made my smile dim.
"Good morning," Andrew kisses my temple as he sits up on his forearms.
"I love having your face be the first thing I wake up to." I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.
Andrew doesn't answer, but pulls me close to his chest, his fingers tangling in the ends of my hair.
"I love seeing your face too, sunshine, my favorite thing to wake up to."
"You love seeing it so much that you made up an entire rat infestation, so you could stay over." I chuckle, resting my hand on his chest.
"How did you figure out my master plan?" Andrew laughs into my hair, his nose nuzzling the top of my head. "I guess I'll have to go back and live at my place then."
Andrew brushes my arm off of him and stands up, but I wrap my arms around his stomach and pull him back onto the bed with me. I kiss the top of his head and run my fingers through the tangled curls. Leaning in close, I whisper in his ear.
"You don't have to leave if you don't want."
"What are you saying, Callie?" Andrew looks up at me, his eyes gleaming.
"I'm saying," I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear as I look at him. "I like having you here. If you wanted to make it permanent, I'd be okay with that."
Instead of replying, Andrew pulls me down into a kiss, his fingers caressing the back of my neck. I laugh a little and nuzzle my nose against his as our lips release.
"Is that a yes?"
"Most definitely." Andrew smiles, his hand on my cheek. "When can I start moving my stuff in?"
"After our meetings sounds good."
"You make me the happiest man in the world, Callie."
"You make me the happiest girl, Andrew."
He squeezes my hand and slides out from under me, heading for the bathroom and a warm shower. I go to my closet and pull on a pair of jeans and a peasant top for my meeting with Julio. Andrew comes out of the bathroom, showered and dressed, water beading on his messy hair. He towel dries his hair before more water soaks the light gray of his t-shirt. I continue to watch him as I lace up my sandals. He squeezes my shoulder as he heads out to the kitchen to grab his habitual morning coffee and Pop-Tart. I follow him out and grab a banana from the fruit bowl.
"Would you like me to pick up something for dinner tonight?" Andrew leans against the counter and takes a sip of his coffee.
"What were you feeling?" I ask as I go to pour myself a cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
"That Chinese place down the street is giving out free egg-rolls with every order."
"Sounds good to me," I smile as I screw on the lid of my travel mug and grab my bag. "I'm going to head off to my meeting."
YOU ARE READING
A Girl Named Callie
Spiritüel*sequel to A Boy Named Jasper* ~~~~~ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6) ~~~~~~ Jasper has been in L.A. for almost five years. Not a day w...
