chapter Eight
We caught an elevator going up and it seemed like we’d be the only ones on the elevator until a drunk couple staggered in with us. They seemed completely oblivious our presence in the elevator with them. They were all over each other, practically having sex in the elevator next to us. It made my stomach turn. Not because of what they were doing but because I thought about all of the times that had been me, falling all over a guy, allowing him to seduce me in public.
I didn’t want to be that girl anymore and with Brett I didn’t have to be. Brett treated me with kindness and respect. I wasn’t just an easy lay or a one-night stand. With Brett I could have more and be more.
When the elevator stopped, Brett pulled me out and I took one last look at the drunk couple. I was glad to see the door close on them. It felt like I was also closing the door on the girl I no longer wanted to be.
Brett made me wait outside his hotel room door for a few seconds while he got something ready. He wouldn’t tell me what but that was a surprise. He told me to close my eyes as he led me into the room.
“Okay, open your eyes.”
I took in a sharp breath when I opened my eyes. The lights in the room were out but it was being illuminated by what seemed like hundreds of candles. They were all white in various shapes and sizes. There were also several beautiful bouquets of different types of flowers placed around the room and the bed was covered with flower petals. It was one of the loveliest things I had ever seen.
“This is unbelievable,” I whispered. I turned to Brett and he was staring at me, gauging my reaction. I could feel my eyes starting to water. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“I told you I wanted this to be special.”
I leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “Just being with you is special.”
Brett took my hand and led me to the bed. He laid me down and told me to close my eyes again. I did as I was told. I could feel Brett lay down in the bed next to me. Then I felt a tickling sensation under my nose.
“What does it smell like?” he asked.
I inhaled. “Jasmine?”
“You’re good,” Brett affirmed. “Jasmine is for sensuality.”
I could feel him place another flower under my nose. “How about this one?”
I inhaled the flower’s scent. It wasn’t familiar to me. “I don’t know.”
“That’s lilac. It’s for first emotions of love.”
“One more,” Brett said as he placed the flower under my nose.
I inhaled. “That’s easy. That’s a rose.”
“Yes,” Brett said. “And roses are for passion and love, depending on the color. I’ve got several colors. Covering all of the bases.”
That made me laugh. “Can I open my eyes now?”
“Not yet. What does this feel like?” I could feel Brett’s lips on mine. A tender kiss.
I opened my eyes and Brett was staring at me, taking in my features. He ran his index finger softly down my cheek. “I want to make love to you,” he said as he gazed into my eyes. It seemed like such an antiquated expression. Guys wanted to hook up or tap that. But I knew this was something completely different. This wasn’t just about sex. It was about being intimate with someone you cared about. As many times as I had sex, it was never about love. There were too many times when I didn’t even really like the guy all that much. Even though I hadn’t been a virgin since I hit puberty, this was going to be a first for me. This was the first time I had ever been with someone I could truly say I loved.
Brett kissed me again. This time his kissed ignited something inside and my entire body responded. I wasn’t drunk but I was suddenly feeling light headed. And the more I responded, the more forceful and passionate Brett became. It was like he was trying to devour me.
“My, God, Anna,” he whispered breathlessly. “I’ve never felt like this before. I want you so badly it hurts.”
I knew exactly how he felt. There was a longing deep inside me that I knew only he could fill. It excited every inch of me and frightened me to the core.
Brett pulled me close and I could feel his erection. I moaned as he pressed himself against me; he was rock hard.
I knew Brett wasn’t the most experienced lover but his passion and desire for me overcame any awkwardness there was until I was so turned on, I wanted to rip Brett’s clothes off. But I held back and let Brett lead the way.
Brett sat me up and slowly pulled the straps of my bridesmaid dress down off my shoulders. He kissed each of my shoulders with light butterfly kisses that sent waves of desire rushing through my body.
Everything Brett did was slow and deliberate and left me wanting more. My desire for him was building so much, I could have had an orgasm with my clothes still on.
Brett unzipped the back of the dress and pulled it down to my waist so that my black lace push-up bra was exposed. I watched him as he savored the moment. Then he pulled the dress down a bit more and I lifted my hips so he could get the dress completely off me.
I was now in my bra and panties and Brett looked at me for a long minute. It was like he was appreciating the sight of me. No one had ever done that before. Guys always seemed to be quick to get to the finish line; quicker to get their dicks inside me and go off.
But Brett was in no hurry. This wasn’t a conquest. There was no finish line. He was enjoying every second of the journey we were on. This was an experience to be savored.
“Lie back down,” Brett instructed.
When I did, he took a rose petal between his thumb and index finger and lightly ran it along my collar bone. Another wave of shivers rushed through my body. Brett slowly ran his finger along the outline of my bra then ran his finger over my nipples, which now stood completely erect against my lace bra. Brett slowly pulled my bra straps down and placed butterfly kisses on my shoulders where the straps had been. I was beginning to love those butterfly kisses. I wondered how they would feel all over the rest of my body. It wouldn’t take long to find out.
Brett pulled my bra off my breasts and admired them for a long moment. Then he took a daisy that was on the bed next to him and teased my nipples with it. They got even harder.
Brett then teased my breasts with his tongue and licked his way from a spot between my breasts down to my belly button. He tickled my belly button with his tongue, which made me squirm with pleasure.
When I looked at Brett, he gave me a sly grin. Then he assaulted my stomach with butterfly kisses, which turned me on so quickly and so completely, I thought I would lose my mind.
“Brett,” I moaned. “I want you so much.”
“Not yet,” he said. “You’re not ready yet.”
I felt very ready. I could feel how wet I was. I yearned to feel him inside me.
Brett slowly pulled my panties off. He stared at me, now completely naked. I had never felt so vulnerable in my life.
“You still have all your clothes on,” I whispered.
“I know,” was his response but he made no effort to change the situation. He just kept looking at me, naked on his bed, full of need and desire.
He parted my knees and moved his head between my legs. I closed my eyes as I felt his tongue move inside me. I let out a moan of pure pleasure.
I stopped thinking as his tongue worked magic between my legs and before I knew it, I fell over the edge. I screamed out as I was overtaken and shaking with the bliss of my orgasm.
When Brett kissed me, I could taste myself on his lips. “I want you,” he whispered in my ear. “Are you ready for me?”
“Yes,” I whispered back. “I’m ready.”
Brett climbed out of bed and quickly removed his shirt and pants. He wasn’t a big guy, like most of the jocks I had been with, but his slender build was toned. When he removed his boxer briefs, I instinctively licked my lips as I admired the sight of his fine erection. I had no doubt he would be able to get the job done.
He grabbed a condom from the night stand and put it on. Then he crawled back into bed and eased himself between my legs. He kissed me fiercely and hungrily as he pushed himself inside me.
I cried out in pure pleasure as his manhood filled me.
“Oh, God, Anna,” he moaned.
He continued to ravage me with kisses as he pumped hard and fast. It was such as sharp contrast to all of the slow and deliberate moves that led to this point, my head was reeling. He had every intention of making me forget every man who had come before him and he was succeeding on every level. He was completely rocking my world.
“Oh, Brett,” I practically yelled as I could feel myself heading over the edge of the cliff. Brett was tireless as he continued his quest to make me come.
“Come with me, Anna,” he whispered as we both gasped with the pleasure of ultimate release.
We both looked at the other for a long moment, taking each other in. Then Brett ran his thumb softly down my cheek. “So, was it worth the wait?”
A grin formed in the corner of my mouth. I nodded and he gave me a soft kiss.
***
“So,” I said as we lay in bed watching Sixteen Candles and cuddling. “My sister’s getting married the first weekend in August in Scottsdale. Want to come with me?”
“I would love to accompany you to your sister’s wedding. Are you a bridesmaid?”
“Hard to believe, but yes, I am. My sister and I were never close. She’s 10 years older and we have nothing in common. She’s superwoman and I’m a slouch, which happens to be Flaw 85.”
Brett kissed my cheek. “I love that you’re a slouch,” he teased. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
“You realize you’re in a relationship with someone, who is seriously flawed. I have one hundred and twenty six flaws to prove it.”
“Maybe I love your flaws,” he said as he placed butterfly kisses on my forehead and cheeks. “Maybe I love everything about you.”
I held his shoulders and looked into his eyes. “Maybe you’re too good for me.”
He shook his head as he continued staring into my eyes. “You’re perfect for me…” He gave me a gentle kiss on the lips. “In every way.” He kissed me again, this time with more passion and longing.
As he pulled me close and I could feel his desire for me growing, neither of us cared about watching the rest of the movie.
***
The next morning I was in a funk. It would be a few weeks until my friends Sarah and Sean’s wedding in Las Vegas, when I would see Brett again. It already felt like it was a few weeks too long.
“What’s wrong,” Brett said as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek.
I turned to face him. “I know this is going to sound stupid but I miss you already and you’re not even gone yet.”
He grinned. “That doesn’t sound stupid at all. It’s sweet.”
“You may be the first person to ever call me sweet. Heinous bitch is usually the preferred moniker.”
Brett rolled out of bed and headed toward the bathroom. I got up and started gathering my clothes.
“My flight leaves pretty early,” Brett yelled from the bathroom. “But I have time for a quick breakfast. Do you want to order room service?”
“What do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
I wasn’t that hungry for food but I was for Brett. I posed seductively on the bed and awaited his return.
“Did you decide what you want?” Brett said as he returned. He stopped and stared at me lying on the bed naked and needy.
“You,” I said as I curled my index finger in a come-hither gesture.
“Breakfast of champions,” Brett said as he removed his boxer briefs and joined me in bed.
***
As I pulled my suitcase into my apartment, it felt more lonely than usual. I noticed Marvin’s soil was a little dry and he was starting to wilt. It was a reflection of how I felt. My life seemed to lack direction and purpose. The only thing that felt good and right was being with Brett. The only problem was that my time with Brett was limited and infrequent. And aside from the weddings, we really hadn’t made any plans to be together.
I always made fun of people in long distance romances. I thought it was overly sentimental rubbish. Now I had fallen into the same trap. I was living for those moments when I could see Brett again and everything else seemed like filler in between.
“I didn’t know whether to water your plant,” Winter said as she entered the living/dining area. We both stared at Marvin. “He’s looking a little dry.”
“No problem. I can water him.”
I filled my mister and gave Marvin a few sprits.
“How was the wedding?” Winter asked but the question sounded rote and hollow.
“Great.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Great, huh?”
I nodded.
“And what made it great?” That question held more curiosity than I had ever heard from her. “A guy?”
I nodded.
“Like a guy and not just a hook-up?”
“Something like that.”
“I never thought I’d hear you say that,” she stated as she entered the kitchen area and grabbed the kettle.
“I didn’t either,” I admitted.
“Want some tea?” That was the first time Winter ever offered me some of her tea even though she made it every day.
“Yeah, thanks.”
As she fixed the tea, we continued talking. It felt weird actually having a female to talk to. While I wouldn’t exactly call us friends, we were definitely becoming more than the two ships that passed in the night we had been for months.
“So, tell me about your guy.”
I wasn’t sure what I should tell her or how much I wanted to. “His name is Brett. We went to college together but we weren’t really friends. He’s different than any other guy I’ve been with. He’s considerate. He’s caring. He’s passionate. He’s a rocket scientist and he loves gardens.”
“Well, at least that explains Marvin.”
“He’s really into plants.”
“So, what’s the fatal flaw?” she asked as she poured tea for both of us. She handed me a cup.
“What do you mean?”
“His fatal flaw. The big thing you’ll have to overcome if you want to be together. Yours, obviously, is drinking. What’s his?”
I gulped. Was my drinking an obvious issue to everyone but me? I thought about Brett. He wasn’t flawed like me. Now that his clown hair was under control, he was perfect. The only thing I could think of that might ever come between us was Sweater Vest. “He does have an ex fiancé,” I said.
“Just how ex is she?”
“Not ex enough,” I lamented and Winter nodded like she completely understood. I continued, “They dated all through college and she was his first. They just broke up a few months ago and I’m the only other person he’s been with since.”
“Do you think there’s a possibility she’ll want to get back together with him?”
“Yes,” I admitted. It was my greatest fear. “I don’t think she wants to see him with anyone else.”
“Shared history isn’t easy to overcome. You need to make it your goal to create as much history with him as you can.”
“How did you get so wise?”
Winter laughed. “I work at a New Age bookstore. I read self- help books all day long.”
***
The week crawled by at the pace of drying paint. Brett was busy with a big project, so he didn’t have much time to talk with me in the evenings. After my talk with Winter, I was hyper-alert towards any communications I saw between Sweater Vest and Brett on Facebook. I noticed she was posting more on his wall and the posts seemed more flirtatious than I liked. I noticed Brett had time to make cute responses to her posts, which both hurt and pissed me off.
By Friday night, I was getting extremely restless. I didn’t want to spend another weekend home alone. Winter told me she was getting together with her witch friends to celebrate some kind of pagan something that I didn’t really pay attention to. The only thing I really heard was that she was going to be gone all weekend.
Old habits die hard and come back to haunt you when your guard is down. Before my rationale mind had a chance to talk me out of it, I found myself walking into The Twisted Keg, a post college hang out not too far from campus. The place catered to a mid-to-late 20s crowd. It was a little bit more upscale than the college bars and a little bit pricier. I purposefully dressed down because I wasn’t looking to pick anyone up. I was really just tired of being alone in my apartment. I wore a pair of skinny jeans, a hot pink tee shirt and flats. I even threw my hair into a ponytail to complete the dressed down look.
The first people I ran into were Paige and Molly. Not surprising. They had a bit of a reputation for being barflies.
“We haven’t seen you out in a while,” Paige said as the two walked up to me. They were each nursing draft beers.
“I’ve been busy.” I didn’t want to go into a lot of detail about my personal life with the girls because they were known to have loose lips.
“With clown hair?” Molly asked snidely.
I just shrugged.
“Did you see Joey Vincetti,” Paige asked. She pointed over towards the dance floor. “You know that guy is crazy about you.”
“I’m not really looking for any action tonight,” I said.
Both girls raised their eyebrows in unison. “That’s a first,” Molly snickered.
I gave her the stink eye.
“Well, it’s true,” Molly said defensively. “Anna not looking for action is like a dog not looking for food. It just doesn’t happen.”
“It’s happening right now,” I countered.
“Just wait till she’s had a few drinks,” Paige said to Molly loud enough that I could hear. “She’ll change her tune.”
“I know, right,” Molly agreed.
“You said the magic word, girls. I’m headed over to the bar right now.”
And with that, I turned on my heels in search of a drink. The bar was already packed with people trying to purchase beverages. I rarely had to buy my own drinks but I wasn’t exactly dressed to kill, so I thought this night might be an exception. I was wrong.
“Can I buy you a drink,” a male voice said behind me. When I turned around it was Joey. I wondered how he was able to hone in on me so quickly in a place so packed. Had he seen me walk in?
“I never say no to a free drink,” I said sweetly.
Joey smiled then elbowed his way toward the bar in search of bevies. A few minutes later, he handed me a bottle of Bud Light.
“Cheers,” he said as we both took sips. The beer went down too well. It was like running into an old friend and feeling like you’d never been apart. I was reacquainted with my old friend alcohol in no time.
The place was noisy, so Joey moved close to my ear. “I haven’t seen you in a while,” he said.
“I’ve been busy,” I replied. It was fast becoming my standard line.
“What happened to that guy you were with at the wedding?”
“Nothing happened to him. He lives in California.”
That seemed to appease him. He didn’t ask any more questions. I wished he hadn’t brought Brett up. I immediately felt guilty for being in the bar, even though I wasn’t doing anything but having a drink, and Brett and I hadn’t actually discussed whether we had a relationship and if it was exclusive. I really didn’t know what was going on between us. I did know that what I wanted to have with Brett didn’t include Joey. But as much as my brain told my body that, my body wasn’t listening. My body loved the excitement of being in a bar and the comfortably numb feeling of the alcohol as it worked its magic. And my body craved attention from the opposite sex and right now I was getting a lot of attention from Joey.
“Drink up,” he said as he gulped his beer. “I’ll get us a couple more.”
He was no dummy. The more alcohol he supplied now, the more he knew I would supply later.
I took a few more big swigs of the beer in anticipation of the fresh bottle. A few minutes later, when Joey handed me the new one, I handed him back an empty bottle. “That’s my girl,” he said as he tossed the empty in a trash bin behind him. “When you finish that one, we can hit the dance floor.”
We both downed the second bottles fairly quickly and my head was feeling light. I hadn’t eaten anything and I’d downed the drinks in less than 30 minutes, so I was feeling no pain.
Joey grabbed me by the waist and led me to the dance floor. The DJ was playing some pretty heavy techno-pop so Joey and I joined in. Between the heavy beat of the music, the flashing stage lights and the booze rattling my brain, I was quickly put into a hypnotic state. I could feel Joey pull me close and I could feel his body grinding into mine but I made no move to stop him. At that moment, the rest of the world seemed to disappear.
After a few songs, Joey and I were both out of breath, so we walked over to the bar and this time he ordered rum and Cokes.
“It’s a double,” he murmured into my ear as he handed me the cold beverage. I was so thirsty from dancing the drink went down way too quickly. Joey gave me a sexy grin then downed his drink. He excused himself and a few minutes later, he was back with two more rum and Cokes.
I could feel myself moving quickly into wasted territory but I felt helpless to stop it. I tried to sip the new drink Joey handed me but it tasted too good and was too smooth going down my throat.
Joey leaned in and whispered in my ear. “Wanna dance again?”
I nodded. I held the slightest hope that maybe some physical activity would sober me up a bit.
“Finish your drink first,” he ordered.
I nodded and drank what remained in the cup. Joey grabbed the empty from me and tossed it with his into the trash.
I could feel him grab my ass but my reflexes were slow and I only half-heartedly made an effort to shoo his hand away. He laughed. Then he leaned down and kissed my neck. My body responded to his touch and I squirmed a little.
“I love it when you wear your hair in a ponytail,” he sighed. “It shows off your sexy neck.”
Joey grabbed me and pulled me with him toward the dance floor. I was so drunk I actually felt boneless. Joey was now behind me. He placed his hands on my stomach and pulled me in close. I was so close there was no space between my back and his front. As we moved together to the music, I could feel his erection hard against me.
“God, Anna,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re so f*cking hot.”
My head was swimming with all kinds of crazy and only semi-rationale thoughts. I only planned on having one or two beers and going home alone. Now it seemed like I was fated to go home with Joey. Did I even want to be with Joey? I remembered promising Brett I would say no if I didn’t want to have sex with someone. But now, drunk, with Joey’s erection pressed against me, it didn’t seem like an option.
And there was a small voice deep inside telling me that I only wanted to be with Brett but he wasn’t there. He was hundreds of miles way. Or so I thought.
Until I felt a hand on my upper arm yank me from Joey’s clutches.
“What the f*ck, Man,” I heard Joey yell and before it even registered, I was standing behind Brett. He had placed himself between me and Joey.
I could see Joey shake his head. “Dude, not again.”
Brett waved a finger in Joey’s face. “Stay away from Anna.”
Joey shook his head. “This is not cool. You’d better keep your girlfriend on a tighter leash or something, man.”
“She’s not a dog,” Brett spat.
Joey threw up his hands. “Whatever, man. This is nuts. I’m outta here.” And without even a glance back, Joey disappeared into the crowd.
When Brett turned his attention to me, his eyes were burning with fury. He glared at me for a few moments without saying a word. It definitely sobered me up. “I’m taking you home.” He grabbed my upper arm and pulled me away.
I was sobering up enough to be truly humiliated as a small crowd formed to watch as Brett pulled me through the bar and out the door. He didn’t stop until we were at his car.
“You didn’t drive, did you?” he snapped.
I shook my head. One thing I never did was drink and drive. I was at least smart enough to rent an apartment within walking distance of dozens of bars and clubs.
“Get in,” he demanded as he unlocked the doors. There was that alpha male again. It seemed to only come out when he was royally pissed at me for getting drunk and being stupid.
I did as I was told and got into the passenger’s seat. He got into driver’s side. He started the car and took off without saying anything. He didn’t utter a sound for what seemed like an eternity but probably wasn’t more than a few minutes considering the close proximity of the bar to my home.
When he parked the car, he made no motion to get out. That made me wonder if he was just going to drop me off in the parking lot and leave. I could feel tears starting to stream down my face uncontrollably. When I made a motion to open the door, he said, “Where do you think you’re going?” His tone was so harsh it scared me.
I sat back in my seat and could feel myself cowering a bit.
Brett was looking straight ahead. I wanted him to look at me but was afraid to ask.
He drew in an angry breath. “How much did you have to drink?”
I opened my mouth but no words came out. My throat was suddenly tense. “A lot,” I finally managed to squeak out.
That’s when he turned to me and his eyes were still ablaze with anger. “How much is a lot.”
I tried to clear my throat. “Two beers and two rum and Cokes but the rum and Cokes were doubles.”
He looked at his watch. I wasn’t wearing one but I thought it was probably only around nine o’clock.
“Why?” he asked.
I wasn’t sure how he wanted me to respond. “Why what?” was the only thing I could think to say.
“Why did you go out? Why did you drink so much? Why were you with Joey?”
I shook my head. I really didn’t know. I looked down at the seat and picked at a small ball of lint on the seat cushion.
“Look at me,” Brett ordered. “What would have happened if I hadn’t stopped Joey when I did?”
I swallowed. I didn’t want to tell Brett the truth. That as much as I may have wanted to, I wouldn’t have been able to say no. I would most likely have hooked up with Joey.
“Don’t I mean anything to you?” Brett said now more hurt than angry. The pain in his voice and in his eyes sliced my heart and made me wish he was still angry instead.
Tear were now pouring down my face. “You’re the only one, who means anything to me,” I blubbered between uncontrollable sobs.
“Then why?” he said but it didn’t sound like a question. I didn’t have an answer anyway.
“I’m so sorry,” I sobbed. “It hurts me when you’re hurting and I hate myself for doing that to you.”
I could see his eyes were getting watery.
“Please forgive me,” I begged. I didn’t want to lose Brett but at that moment it felt inevitable. How could he ever want a girl as f*cked up as me?
I was surprised when he made a move to get out of the car. “Let’s get you inside.”
When we got out of the car, Brett grabbed my elbow and led me to my door. I could feel my heart start to race as he stood at the entry waiting for me to unlock the door. I wondered if he was just going to drop me off or if he’d stay. My heart sank when I realized he didn’t have a bag with him; that seemed to make the odds of him staying low.
As I opened the door, he followed me inside. Winter was actually pacing the floor when she turned to look at us. “You found her.”
That explained how Brett knew where to look for me. He had obviously stopped at my apartment to see me, probably surprise me, and Winter told him I was at the bar.
But what was she doing home? I thought she had gone away for the weekend. As if she was reading my mind, Winter explained, “The trip got delayed it’s raining in Sedona. We’re leaving first thing in the morning instead.” Winter’s eyes darted back and forth between the two of us. “I guess I’ll go to bed now.” Without waiting for us to respond, she darted into her room more quickly than I had ever seen her move.
Brett pulled me into my room and shut the door behind us. That’s when I noticed he had placed an overnight bag on my bed. My heart stopped racing just a little bit. There was a chance he was going to stay but he could also grab the bag and leave just as quickly, I reminded myself.
“I think you’d better get ready for bed,” he said. “Where are your pajamas?”
“I usually just sleep in a tee shirt and shorts.” I went over to my dresser and pulled out Brett’s Green Day tee shirt and sleep shorts.
As I attempted to pull off my clothes, I got a little tangled up in them. Brett stepped in and gave me a hand until my clothes were replaced with sleepwear. “Do you always wear my tee shirts to bed?”
“Usually,” I admitted. “It makes me feel like you’re with me and I’m not alone all the time.”
Brett took me into his arms and held me. “I’m right here, Anna. You’re not alone.”
I fought back the sobs that were lingering at the surface. He placed the softest of kisses on my forehead.
I attacked his lips with mine. I felt so needy and wanting. Brett returned the kiss with what felt like equal desire but then he stopped and held my shoulders. “I’m not going to sleep with you tonight, Anna. Not after you’ve been drinking.”
My heart sank. At that moment, I wanted to be with Brett more than I wanted to breath.
“I’m going to tuck you into bed and then I’m going to sleep on the couch.”
I heaved a sigh. “Don’t you trust me?”
He shook his head slowly as if to make his point clear. “I want you to be good.”
“I’m always good.”
Brett raised an eyebrow incredulous.
“I’m not?”
Brett placed a hand on my cheek. “There needs to be a little more consistency between who you are and what you do.”
I knew what he was saying was important but in my half-drunken state, it made my head swim. All I could think about was the pillow and how good it would feel under my head.
Brett led me to the bed and I got in. He tucked the blanket around me then gave me a soft kiss on the forehead.
As my eyes closed, I could hear Brett whisper, “Good night, Anna.” I fell asleep before I heard my bedroom door shut.