I recap my pen. “Well that answer should be obvious. I’m looking for a new tax guy.” Leaning down, I blow gently across his arm and dry the ink. “There, all done.”

His head raises and he glances at his arm, the words Do I Wanna Know? printed on him in my script. He studies it for a moment, pulling his bottom lip into his mouth and I watch his long lashes flutter before his eyes flick to mine.

“I like your mark.”

“Me too.” I chuck the pen onto the dresser and settle in next to him, pulling the covers up around us. He wraps his arm around my waist and closes his eyes, his breathing slowing down to a soft rhythm as I observe him. It doesn’t take long before I know he’s sleeping. Chest rising and falling slowly, eyes fluttering as if he’s mid-dream and lips slightly parted to allow for his breath to escape. I study him for minutes and then minutes become hours. I’m so ridiculously happy in this moment that when I begin to silently cry next to him, I don’t know what to think besides what I’m now willing to admit to myself. That I’m crazy in love with this man. I love everything about him. From the tiniest detail like the little lines next to his eyes and the slit that runs down his bottom lip, to the way I can only seem to be able to take a full breath when he’s near me. I love the words he says to me and the look he reserves only for me; even if that look is one that’s a preamble to a Reese style flip out. I love the way I can sense his presence and the way my heart beats in my chest when I finally lock eyes with him. I love him. Just him. And the tears that I let myself cry are both of worry that he’s not going to reciprocate these feelings and because I’m finally willing to let myself feel them. So I’ll let my tears fall, because I’ve been denying my feelings for him since the moment I fell into his lap and because I’m a silly girl who is going to turn into a brave woman tomorrow and finally tell him how I fell. Fuck being casual. I’m so over that bullshit.

Twenty

I wake up Monday morning, my eyes fluttering open slowly to adjust to the sunlight pouring through the window and I notice immediately that I’m alone and not in my bed. Glancing over at the clock, I note the time is 9:42a.m. and realize that he’s probably gone to work after trying to wake me countless times. I really need to figure out a way to be woken up out of my slumber. What if we eventually have kids and they try to wake me up to make them breakfast or some shit and I’m dead to the world? Jesus, did I just say if we eventually have kids? When have I ever thought about having children before? Never. I’ve never thought about having children. I picture a miniature Reese meandering around the house, trying to keep his siblings in line and raking his hands through his wild hair when they don’t listen. I giggle silently at the thought and quickly push it out of my mind. Crazy, Dylan. Utter craziness.

I crawl out of bed and duck into the bathroom briefly before finding my clothes scattered all around the couch. The memory of their quick removal sends a shiver through me. That was fun. I should challenge his desire for me more often. Slipping on my panties and his University of Chicago T-shirt, I find my phone and quickly dial Joey, feeling like a complete idiot and shitty friend for not having called him last night after the break in.

“Cupcake. What the f**k, girlie? Can you believe that psycho broke our window out?”

I plop down onto a dining room chair and begin rubbing my head. “Well at least we think it was probably her. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you last night, my mind was all over the place.” I sigh heavily as the image of the hooded figure creeps into my mind.

“No worries, your casual f**k buddy called me when he was on his way over to rescue you. I’m sure he figured you had other things on your mind than reminding your assistant not to show up to work today.” I grunt at the casual f**k buddy reference and spot a piece of paper hanging off the edge of the kitchen counter. I reach over and grab it, noticing my favorite handwriting.

Dylan,

I have no f**king clue how I ever survived not waking up to you. And before you say anything, yes I did try to wake you up to go for a run with me. You were adorably out cold, as usual. Enjoy your day off.

X Reese

P.S. Here’s a spare key if you go out today. Keep it.

Swoon.

“Hey, so listen, I have some phone calls to make to the insurance company and to find someone to put in a security system and a door above the stairs but when I’m done, any chance you could pick me up and take me to Reese’s office?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m pretty bored myself over here since Billy’s gone to work. What’s going on at the office?”

I smile. “Oh you know, the usual. Just me going to finally tell our favorite numbers guy that I’m madly in love with him.” I hear the phone drop and Joey’s insanely high pitched screams.

“DYLAN. Oh my f**king God. Yes, girl, yes. Hurry up and make those stupid phone calls and then text me when you’re ready. Ooohhh I’m bursting over here.”

“And don’t say anything to Juls. I’d hate for her to leak it to Ian who would most likely blab. I feel like those men talk just as much as we do sometimes.”

“Mmmm mmm. Don’t you worry, my lips are sealed on this one. Take care of your shit and then let’s get to the important matters at hand.”

***

I called the insurance company and made sure that I wouldn’t be responsible for any of the damage from the break in. They assured me that the window was in fact being repaired during our phone call and that I would be up and running by tomorrow. Grabbing Reese’s iPad off the bed, I looked up the number to a security system company and got an estimate on a top of the line alarm system to install. Using the commission from Justin’s stupid wedding, I went ahead and arranged for the men to come today and set it up, that way it would also be ready by tomorrow. I wasn’t sure who the hell to call about getting a door put in, so I dialed my parents and held my breath knowing that I was about to get a huge ear full for not having called them last night.