I giggle and it’s the last thing I remember before falling into the sweetest, most peaceful sleep.
I WAKE UP when the sun is barely rising, in the same spot as I fell asleep, except Coen’s hands are cupping my ass instead of my back. I grin and go back to sleep. A couple hours later, I hear quiet rapping on the door. I jump.
“Coen!” I whisper.
He lifts his head and gives me a huge smile before closing his eyes. There’s another tap on the door.
“Someone’s at the door.” I crawl off of him and he turns on his side, pulling my back into his chest.
“It’s just Jade seeing if I wanna go running. I don’t.” He kisses my neck and runs his hand down my side. “I can’t believe we slept in our clothes all night. What a waste of bare skin,” he mumbles.
“My dress isn’t as bad as your jeans. You should take them off, let your skin breathe.”
He starts unbuttoning right away, taking everything off, down to his boxer briefs, while I laugh at him.
“Oh man, that’s so much better. Here, let’s let your skin breathe too,” he says and pulls my dress over my head. “I won’t even look.” He pulls my body back into him. “Mmm, skin.”
“Weirdo,” I giggle.
“Only room for one, you said,” he says.
“For a guy, you sure listen well.”
“Thank you. Now, hush, or I’m gonna be responsible for you blushing all day.”
I laugh again and nestle back into his chest.
IT’S 9:30 BEFORE I crack my eyes open again. I hear Coen in the shower and hop up to put a T-shirt on before he catches me in just my underwear. I remember the bathroom downstairs also had a shower, so I hurry down there to get mine. I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Looking in the steamed over mirror, I even grin at myself.
“Remember this feeling,” I whisper. I poke the apples of my cheeks, sitting so high up with all the smiling going on.
I put on a short yellow sundress. Swirly skirt. The weather is supposed to be warmer and I hope so. I make my hair as haphazard as possible and go for the red lipstick even though it’s early. Vivid blue flats. Even my outfit is happy.
Coen’s whistling around the barn. Feels weird to call it that, but it’s what they all call it, so it must be catching on. When I open the door to the bathroom and step out, Coen looks up from what he’s reading and his eyes light up. He stands up and twirls me around, laughing as I try to keep everything covered.
“You’re working against me here,” he says as he leans down. “Will I have red lips too?”
“No, this doesn’t go anywhere, I promise.”
His lips are intoxicating, full and soft—I love to look at them—but when they make even the slightest contact with mine it’s perfection. Every cell in my body wakes up with just the barest touch of a kiss. And then his tongue … God, the things he can do with it. And he always tastes good. While my body feels like electricity, I also feel limp.
I pull back and try to focus on his face. Pathetic. I know my eyes are completely glazed over. I blink until I can see his features again.
“You okay?” He pulls me back in and kisses down my neck.
“Mmm.”
“I am insanely proud of myself for not having my way with you last night with you laying on top of me,” he grips my face and grits his teeth, “but make that sound again and we won’t leave this room for the rest of the day.”
“Mmm, you’re getting all primal, I like it.” I bite his shoulder and then sneak under it, picking up my purse by the door. “You comin’?”
He groans and laughs, holding up a hand. “Aunt Eeny…” He gives a slight shudder. “Okay, yes, ready.”
“What?”
“She’s who got me through last night. Aunt Eeny.” He puts a hand on my back and then takes my hand when we get outside. “Full head of hair … on her face.”
“I don’t believe you!” I laugh. “When can I meet this woman?”
“Tonight, if you’ll stay another night with me. She comes over on Saturday nights for my mom’s spaghetti.”
“This just gets better.” We walk up the steps to the house and I look at him. “I can stay as long as you were planning to stay. I’m along for the ride. Throwing out the schedule.” My heart palpitates a little when I say that, but it reminds me I need to take my meds this morning.
“You don’t need to talk to Saul on Monday?”
“I can postpone it to whenever we get back.”
“Think you’d be up to staying until Monday night? That’s when I have to get back.”
He opens the door while I agree to stay. It’s a huge step for me, committing to nearly four days in someone else’s space. After being alone so much, it feels almost as significant as telling him I’d marry him. Almost.
Big band music is playing in the kitchen and they’re all in there. Janie is flipping an omelet, Scott pushes the button on the toaster, and Jade is setting the table. They yell their greetings and keep working. A new bouquet of hydrangeas and roses sits on the kitchen island and peonies are in a pretty pitcher on the table. I sigh, fully content, and feel tears sneaking up on me again.
Coen notices, but he grins and pulls me to him. “Sweet thing,” he whispers, giving me a quick kiss.
Jade does a cat call and I jump back like I’ve been burned.
“Let’s get some coffee in the jumpy one,” Coen says, tapping my bum.
Again, I back away, checking to see if his parents are watching. They are. I give Coen dagger eyes and he laughs.
“They’re just so happy he’s finally got a girlfriend, you guys could totally do it right here and they’d be like, ‘Woohoo!’” Jade says, pointing at her parents.
Janie smacks Jade with a towel and Scott laughs. My mouth hangs open and I turn bright red.
“Aw. I’m getting my wish … without the benefits,” Coen says, his eyes crinkling up as he bites his lip. Louder, he says, “Come on, guys, go easy. We can’t show all our craziness in her first visit.”
I shake my head. “No, it’s good. It helps balance out all the weeping I want to do over how perfect your family is.”
Jade comes over and puts her arm around my shoulder, tugging me away from Coen. “I’ll let you in on a few secrets. Baby brother here is at his wittiest in the morning. He can fall asleep anywhere at 8:30, so if you’re wanting to keep him up, better ply him with caffeine or run around the block around 8. I’m better at night: lippy in the morning, much sweeter with wine. Mom really is perfect all the time, and don’t even try to talk to my dad until he’s had two cups of coffee. Anything else she should know?” She looks around at everyone.
“I do not go to sleep at 8:30!” Coen argues.
Everyone starts talking at once.
“You totally do.”
“If you’re still for even five minutes…”
“You have since you were a baby.”
I tweak his chin. “Awww. Precious. I can see I’m gonna have to introduce you guys to some real issues.”
“We like a little excitement. Bring it.” Coen hands me coffee. “It’s not as good as mine, but don’t tell my dad.”
“That’s why you need to hurry up and get here,” Scott says, putting the omelets on the table.
“Sit down. Let’s eat while it’s hot,” Janie says.
“Mom, you’ve gotta hear what Maby is doing. First tell her about the nightmare that is Anna…” Coen nudges me.
“Are you sure? It’s such an unpleasant breakfast conversation.”
“Tell us!” Janie urges.
“Where to start?” I take a sip of juice. “Well, we were good friends when we opened the shop—I thought. The first uh-oh moment I had was when I found out she would ‘forget’ to tell me about important meetings with clients. Lunches or meetings that I’d put together and she’d change the time and forget to tell me, so I’d look dumb in front of the vendor. Fortunately, she usually wrecked her relationships with them on her own and they would contact me d
irectly anyway, so it all usually worked out.”
“That’s awful!” Janie cries. “What’s she like now?”
I fill them in on what happened my last week of work and what I’ve been plotting this week.
They stare at me wide-eyed.
“Brilliant,” Scott speaks first.
“You’ve got some cojones,” Jade says.
“I wanna see these vendors you’re talking to!” Janie says. “Tell me about their stuff.”
“Oh you’d love it. Your shop is like a dream, Janie. It’s spectacular, it really is.”
“Thanks,” she waves me off, “after we eat, will you show me their things online?”
“Sure.”
They ask more questions about Anna and the location of the shops. I’m able to talk about it without feeling the pang in my gut I’ve had about Anna since the day I started working with her.
When we’re done eating and have cleaned up the kitchen, I sit at the computer with Janie and show her the different websites. She loves all the merchandise, just like I knew she would. We lose track of time, talking in her office, until Coen comes in.
“I’ve hogged your girl. She’s just so fun!” Janie tells Coen.
“I’ve been called a bombshell, sweet, and fun since I got here. You are all clearly delusional. Not that I’m complaining…” I add, smiling up at Coen.
“We tell it like we see it.” Coen smirks. “Hey, would you like to go into town? Maybe by the river?”
“I’d love it!” I stand up and stretch. “Thanks for indulging me, Janie. I could pick your brain all day about all this.”
“Oh, you indulged me. You’ve got my wheels spinning about all your plans…” she says. “Should I expect you tonight for spaghetti or do you have something else in the works?” she asks Coen.
“Maby has to meet Aunt Eeny or all my credibility will be shot to hell.”
“Fair enough. I’ll see you both at 6.”
WE SPEND THE afternoon in the shops. People greet Coen wherever he goes. It’s evident that he’s really respected in this busy little tourist town. He seems older than he does in the City, more comfortable in his skin, while I feel more and more like a little kid the longer I’m here.
Giddy. Lighthearted. And so happy I don’t even know what to do with myself.
When I’ve had my fill of shopping, we grab a drink at an old-fashioned tavern and then walk toward the river. A gazebo faces the water and we stop and sit down inside.
“I can see now why you’re so special,” I tell him. “You’ve been adored your whole life, but also challenged to do something with yourself … no time for being spoiled, except with love.”
He laces his fingers with mine. Slowly slides them out. Laces them back together.
“Not everyone appreciates my upbringing,” he says. “Most of my exes have been intimidated by it.”
“It’s intimidating, in some ways, for sure. But I want to get back to the exes.”
“I’ll tell you all you want to know, but it’s not very exciting. I’d rather talk about you. How about we save the exes conversation for sometime when I don’t want to kiss your face off … which will be never.” He leans over and kisses the cleavage showing just above my neckline.
I squeak.
“I’ve been dying to do that all day.”
“Hmm, or avoiding something, maybe?” I try to act nonchalant, but it’s really hard.
I can’t stop thinking about how he made me feel that night that feels like forever ago now. I cross my legs and try to stay focused. I keep hearing him say, “You look … drunk” over and over again. I shift in my seat again.
“Not at all. Okay, exes. Katy, Ashleigh, Sara, Jennifer, and Jess. Oh … and Laura.”
“Wow, that’s … a lot.” I lift an eyebrow.
“You think?” He frowns and sticks out his lips. “I was only serious about one of them. Katy…”
“Were they all tall?”
“Tall? Why do you ask?”
“Your whole family is tall. I’m like the little troll under the bridge. Like the lecher who continuously hugs the women and rests his head on their bosom.”
He squeezes his eyes shut and gives his head a shake, like he’s clearing it out. “What? What?”
“So what happened to Katy?” I attempt to rein in the loony.
He looks at me like I’ve lost it and chuckles. “I dated her through college. We broke up soon after we got home. I think she wanted someone more Wall Street than me. And I wanted someone more carefree … easygoing.”
I grip the bench under me. “I’m not carefree, you know.”
“You sure about that?”
I nod. “I’m very … uptight.”
He cocks his head and studies me. “Really? I’ve not seen that side of you yet. I bet it’s cute though.”
I snort and then laugh at myself. “Did she snort? Ha! I bet I have that on her.”
Coen laughs and pulls me closer. “No, she didn’t. Do it again,” he says, poking me in the side.
I roll my eyes and don’t give in to the tickle. “I take medicine to help me not be so … insane.”
He looks to see if I’m joking and when he realizes I’m not, he nods. “Okay. I don’t really like using that word about you, but … what’s it like when you’re insane?”
“I stay awake all night organizing. I wash until I bleed. I count while I’m running until I sometimes pass out. I feel like I’m losing my mind…”
“Wow. I … didn’t realize. I mean, you’ve mentioned little things and I’ve noticed you counting under your breath sometimes, and being very clean, but … I didn’t know it was quite like that. Must be really difficult.” He looks at me and waits for me to say more.
I take a deep breath. “It is, but I’ve been going to therapy, which has helped a lot. And the medication helps too. Staying in a routine is best for me, but lately I’ve been able to shake that a little. Maybe because of the therapy and medication? I don’t know…”
“Will you let me know if you feel it’s coming—like a bad stretch of it?”
“I’ll try.”
“Is this what you meant before when you said Saul knows what he’s getting into?”
“Yes.”
Coen nods. “It’s all making more sense to me now. I’m glad you told me, Maby. Thank you.”
And just like that, I’ve spilled my worst secret to him and there’s no pity or disgust, just kindness and concern.
“Are you okay if I look into this? I don’t know much about it, but my mom knows a lot about different herbal remedies and which foods help certain things. We can see what else might also help…”
I stare at him and my eyes fill. Again. It’s embarrassing.
“I’m making you cry way too much,” he whispers. “That can’t be good.”
“You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” I tell him.
SPAGHETTI DINNER IS a hilarious affair. Aunt Eeny is exactly how Coen described her, only even slightly more unkempt than I expected. But for all her hairs and odd lumps, she is sweetness personified. And sassy as hell. They are all clearly crazy about her. Eeny, short for Enid, is Janie’s grandmother’s sister, and is proudly in her 90s. Abraham, her gentleman friend, is the only one she’s snippy with, but he seems to eat it up.
“Get me by the girl, Abraham,” she snaps.
He promptly scuttles over to help her into the seat next to me at the table.
“So you’re trying to steal our young Coen from us,” she starts right in.
I stutter around until I notice that her shoulders are shaking just like Janie’s did earlier.
“Ahh, the teasing runs in the family, I see.” I laugh.
“What do you mean, dear? Who’s teasing?” She pokes out her lips and looks around the table. When she sees the look on my face, the shoulders start moving again.
I shake my head. “It’s a conspiracy.”
“I’m just happy he finally brought you home. Thoug
ht we were just gonna have to hear tall tales about you forever.” She beams at Coen. “She’s a lovely one, dear. Much nicer than that tall one you tried out last.” She shakes her head in what appears to be disgust, although she might just be joking again. “For a while there he liked gold diggers.” She stage whispers gold diggers.
“Tall, huh,” I say, staring pointedly at Coen.
He clears his throat and has the grace to look contrite. “I didn’t know trolls could be soul mates?” he tries, but backs up when I glare at him. “Kidding.” He peers around me. “I learned my lesson, Aunt Eeny. And I think you scared them all off too.”
She throws her head back and laughs at that. “Well, I should hope so!”
“Abraham!” she barks. “Quit dozing. You’re missing Mabel. Such a fine name too,” she says to the whole table. “They just don’t name young folks fine names like that any more.”
“Sure don’t,” Abraham perks up long enough to agree.
The spaghetti is delicious and the wine is hitting us all right. Throughout the night I laugh more than I ever remember laughing. We move from the kitchen to the living room and I cuddle into Coen’s side as we all talk. I’m wiping my eyes from laughing, not crying, when I catch Coen staring at me.
“What?”
He gets close so only I can hear him. “I can’t believe you’re in my life. Being with you is even better than I imagined,” he says.
I gulp and turn to face him. “I never dreamed I would find someone like you. Are you sure, Coen? Are you sure you want me?”
He leans his forehead against mine. “You’ve taken possession of my heart little by little, and now you own it, Maby. Completely.”
He puts his hand on my cheek and whispers against my lips. “I love you.”
“Oh my God, you guys are so hot together. This is so weird!” Jade shrieks. “And gross!”
“Jade!” Janie swats her with a throw pillow.
“Well, it is,” she says between her teeth. “I mean, I love it, but … it’s … ew.”
Coen stands up and pulls me up with him. “Thanks for dinner. I think we’re gonna head out. As always, Aunt Eeny…” He kisses her hand and gives everyone else a wave.