Fog covered the mirror, and I scrubbed it with my ringless hand. I reached for the ring, stroking the round shape of it. I had removed it and looped it around the necklace Caleb gave me last night before we left Kara’s. Now all I needed was my bag so I could get ready. My bag. The one I’d left in the kitchen.
Damn it.
Carefully, I opened the door. And my heart melted for the second time this morning when I spotted my bag beside the door.
Caleb must have placed it there.
I remembered the time at Kara’s when I’d asked Caleb to leave my things on the counter and I’d found him standing there waiting for me while I was in a towel.
I grabbed my bag and didn’t waste time in pulling on jeans and a fitted, white gypsy tube top that ended just below my navel. There were red flowers stitched along the borders and white lace trim. The top showed off my shoulders. It was something that I usually didn’t wear, but Kara had bought it for me and I really liked it. I wished I could see my reflection in the mirror, but it was still foggy.
Huffing in frustration, I realized I had forgotten to bring my blow-dryer with me last night since I was in a hurry. I had no choice but to put my hair up in a bun on top of my head. I hated tying my hair when it was still wet.
I quickly made the bed, nearly groaning when I spotted Caleb’s boxers and jeans on the floor.
Oh God.
Caleb had a habit of leaving a trail of clothes on the floor, and he never picked them up, no matter how much I reminded him.
And—oh God. My clothes would be… Last night… The kitchen floor…
Had he picked them up?
Stop procrastinating. It’s time to face the music!
I blew out a breath and stepped out of Caleb’s bedroom. I smelled the pancakes right away.
I paused when I saw him in the kitchen. His back was to me, his head down as he busied himself over the stove. He was shirtless, the muscles in his arms and back rippling as he moved to grab the butter on the counter.
Déjà vu.
I felt transported to that first time I’d seen Caleb in his apartment. I could picture him in my mind. He had turned around, and as he’d spotted me standing exactly where I was standing now, a piece of bread had fallen out of his mouth.
I laughed quietly. Caleb turned at the sound, his handsome face softening as he smiled at me. His green eyes tracked my movement as I walked to him.
My heart did a long, slow jump in my chest.
I felt him draw a deep breath as I wrapped my arms around him, burrowing my nose in his neck. His arms automatically embraced me.
“I love you, Caleb.”
He rested his chin on top of my head.
“Again, Red,” he coaxed. “You almost got it. Keep saying it.”
“I love you.”
He let out a mock frustrated sigh, shaking his head. “You need to do that a million times more before I’ll feel satisfied.”
I stiffened at the word satisfied.
Was he?
“Hmm… You smell like my shampoo and my soap.” He nuzzled my cheek. “I like that.”
Smelling the pancakes, I stepped away from his embrace so I could finish cooking them.
“What time is your class?” he asked, twirling a loose strand of my hair with his finger.