Page 79 of Tasty Cherry

I reach out to nudge her with my foot. “You don’t have to shake me down for anything. I am more than happy to attend to your every need. You don’t ask for much.”

Her eyes light up. “A one-hundred-dollar gift card to the children’s art supply website I like.”

“Done.”

“Wait. I meant to say two hundred.”

I laugh. “Done.”

She shakes her head. “You shouldn’t spoil me. It makes you an enabler.”

“I think it makes me a good big brother. I was in a hurry to be all adult and independent. Let me tell you from this side, it is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

“I shall take that advice, big brother.” She takes a long sip of coffee and sighs happily. “You didn’t say how it went.”

I settle back in my chair. “Really, really well. I like her a lot.”

She clasps her mug with both hands. “You’re a lot less grumpy in the mornings when you’ve gotten laid.”

I reach out to nudge her again, but she swings her legs to the other side, disturbing Alfalfa. He lifts his head with a yawn.

“When do I get to meet this mystery woman?”

“Soon, probably. Home is the safest place for us to be if we’re going to stay quiet about our relationship.”

Arya strokes Alfie’s ears. “True. You could run into anybody if you go out.”

“Especially as more and more of the staff meet her.”

“Will it be this way forever?” Arya asks.

“It will get out eventually. She’s just so new. I want to delay the inevitable.”

“You guys are hitting it pretty hot and fast. Sounds like another relationship I remember.”

Did I dive in like this with Haley?

But between Arya’s current concerns and my mother’s old one, I start to wonder. Are we headed to certain disaster? Can something like this ever work?

She’d been so vulnerable last night. She’s so young. And her experience is even less than I thought. Only a boy early in high school? And nothing after?

High school feels like eons away for me.

When I was graduating high school…Mila was in second grade.

I rub my forehead. What am I doing? I should let her find someone her own age.

Then I remember the feel of her in my hands. The way we fit together. How she trusted me.

I’m not letting her go. No way.

In fact, I pick up my phone to text her.

Me: Good morning, my mountain goddess.

Mila: Hey.

Me: Feeling okay this morning?