Page 66 of Forever Only Once

She had so much emotional baggage. The fact that I was the first person after her ex that she’d been with was a lot.

I didn’t want to rush her, but I needed to work through my feelings, too, something I wasn’t good at. Something I didn’t even like to talk about.

I needed to figure this out. I also needed to give her time.

I just didn’t want to wait anymore.

What did that say about me?

Hazel:I missed you too. The girls were asking about you today.

That put a smile on my face, and I picked up my phone.

Me:Yeah?

Hazel: There were eggplant emojis involved.

I barked out a laugh and shook my head.

Me: How many did you give me?

Hazel:Never mind, but don’t worry, I’m thinking about exactly what I’m going to tell them in person.

I laughed again.

Me:I’ve heard my sister and the others talk. I know that you ladies like to divulge way more than I’m comfortable with. Just give me a heads up if you’re going into too much detail. Because when I finally meet your friends, I don’t want to blush like a schoolboy.

Hazel: I’m sure it’ll all be complimentary. Maybe. We’ll see.

Me:I sure hope so. I remember exactly what we did last night.

Hazel:So do I. Hence why I was a complete mess today at work. I should probably plan better if we’re ever going to do that again on a school night.

If ever? I asked myself. It sure as hell would happen again if I had any say in it.

Me: Maybe you should just leave clothes at my house.

Where the hell had that come from? We’d only been together for a little over a month at this point. Almost two if I did the math. Was that enough time for this? I was so new to all of this, even though I wasn’t in college or anything anymore. But I’d never been in a situation where I wanted someone’s clothes at my house.

She was silent long enough that I was afraid I’d said the wrong thing. Hell, maybe I had.

I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.

Hazel:Maybe. And I’m not just saying that because I want to change the subject. I just don’t know if texting is the best way to talk about that. Like we’ve both said before, we kinda suck at this.

Me:Yeah. I just asked you to leave stuff at my house in a fucking text message.

Hazel:And I thought it would be nice if you had a toothbrush over here, and I was going to buy you one because I know you had to use your finger last time because sharing toothbrushes is weird.

I grinned.

Me:Considering where we put our mouths with each other, it shouldn’t be weird. But you’re right, maybe I will leave a toothbrush there.

Hazel:Or maybe I’ll just get you one.

I grinned, wondering what I had done in a past life to deserve her.

I didn’t know, but I hoped I was doing the right thing now.