What the hell is that noise? I groan. Ugh… My alarm.
How is it Monday already? Before I can shut of the phone, I feel the bed move beneath me. I smile when I see Mitch’s arm reach over me to my phone on the bedside table. The alarm stops. He kisses my cheek.
“I think that means we have work to do,” he says in a rough voice.
I roll onto my back and look up at him as he props himself up on his elbow.
“We?”
He smiles. “Yeah. I’m working with you today. Two pairs of hands are better than one, right?”
“But… It’s work.”
He laughs. “Yeah, it is. But it’s also probably my last day here, and I don’t plan on letting you out my sight…unless it’s to use the bathroom.”
I laugh, even though his words make my insides twist into a knot. I really hope Cole manages to book another gig. I’m not ready for my last day with Mitch yet.
“After I’ve showered and gotten dressed, that is.” He smiles and kisses my forehead before slipping out of bed to put on some clothes. I feel my heart pulling to him. I guess I don’t want to let him out of my sight, either.
“See you for breakfast,” I say as light-hearted as I can.
He smiles at me one last time before he slips out of my room. It feels like I’m sinking into the mattress. It seems heavy and lonely without him here. I sigh.
Get used to it, Alex. This is going to be your life after tomorrow.
* * *
“Morning, Alex,” Brad says cheerfully as I walk into the lounge.
I frown. How did he get here before breakfast? Then my eyes widen.
“You only just got back, didn’t you?” I ask, standing at the table where he's sitting. He smirks. Knowing Bailey, I understand that look. He's still in the state of euphoria she usually leaves men in.
“Yeah. I usually leave when Bee starts to get ready for work.”
I feel slightly awful. He has seen my best friend more than I have this week, and he has probably seen more of her than I’d ever want to. I'll catch up with her once the guys leave. I know I’ll need her more than ever then.
“Well, I’m not set up yet, but fancy a coffee?” I offer.
He grins. “Sounds good.”
I walk into the kitchen and turn everything on, including the radio. I can’t do my job without music. While everything heats up, I make Brad his coffee. As I walk back into the lounge, my heart speeds up when I spot Mitch. He hands some paper to Brad, then looks at me.
“So, you ready to put me to work?” Mitch smiles.
I nod as I place the cup in front of Brad. He moves the papers and puts them on his lap.
“Yes. Your apron’s waiting for you.”
Mitch slides his hands around my waist. “Sounds like the perfect way to start the day,” he breathes. His breath is warm on my mouth just before his lips brush mine. I groan. I hear Brad cough loudly as he picks up his coffee.
I pull away from Mitch. “I have a pair of Marigolds I think would suit you, too.”
* * *
Cooking with Fin was definitely a great way to start the day. He put my apron on, even though I told him I was only joking. He sang along to every single song that came on. Music must really be like an outlet to him. I can see why, too. After his birth parents hurt him so deeply, it must have left a huge void in his life, so he turned to music.
After breakfast, we took the radio around to each of the rooms as we cleaned. Again, Mitch sang every word. He has a lovely voice. I kind of wish I could hear him sing his own lyrics.
Right now, I stand in front of my wardrobe, a towel wrapped around me, remembering the whole day with Mitch. It could very well be our last. That thought makes me wince. I hate that I might have to say goodbye to him tomorrow.
My thoughts are interrupted as my bedroom door opens. I jump, frowning.
“Mitch?” I ask, very aware I’m only in a towel and my hair’s still damp.
He's wearing his jogging bottoms and a grey t-shirt. He doesn’t look at me as he walks in shuts the door.
“I know we’re supposed to be getting ready for our lunch date, but in the interest of not letting you out of my sight, I decided to get ready down here.”
He places his folded clothes on the end of the bed, then turns to look at me. His eyes widen.
“Woah…,” he breathes, his eyes raking over me. I suddenly feel self-conscious, which is stupid. He has seen me naked many times in the last few days. “Lexi, you are beautiful.”
He walks over to me and reaches out to my face, his fingers brushing down my cheek. Smiling softly, he moves a piece of hair from my cheek and tucks it behind my ear. He leans toward me and kisses me softly.
When he pulls away, he rests his head on mine, his golden eyes looking into mine. Clearing his throat, he turns and walks to the pile of clothes on my bed.
“So, I brought a couple tops down. As my girlfriend, you get to dress me.”
He freezes. The word “girlfriend” stuns us both. We stand still, like neither of us know how to react. Do we talk about it or just let it go?
I decide to just let it go, it’s for the best right now. “Okay. If you promise to take it seriously, you can dress me, too. Seeing as you picked the place, I have no clue what to wear.”
His shoulders relaxing, he turns to me and smiles. I’m sure it’s fake, but I’ll take it over talking about our feelings.
* * *
A slight frown on my face, I watch Mitch drive. He hasn’t asked me for directions yet.
“Do you know where we’re going?” I ask.
He grins. “I do indeed. I looked it up.”
I frown even more. I thought we were just going on a random lunch date, but it seems like he researched it first. I look him over. I love the look of the navy blue shirt I chose. As usual, he's rolled the sleeves up to the elbows. Unfortunately, it’s cloudy today, so he doesn’t have to put on his sunglasses. Those would make the outfit. I look down at the cream blouse, blue skinny jeans, and white heels Mitch chose for me. I think he picked well for a lunch date.
He pulls the car up in a little car park on one of the back streets near Central Pier. I am stunned and confused. He went and thought this up, but I still have no clue where we’re going. Climbing out of the car, I take his hand as he leads me down the street.
“Here.” Mitch stops walking in front of a pub named Molloys. “You shared memories with me, so I wanted to share some more with you.”
He looks up at the building, then back at me. “Collin and Faith Finnley, my mom and dad, would take me to this little Irish bar in Dalham, O’Malley’s, on special occasions. I loved it. Every time they took me there, I’d order the same thing—Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread. I loved it so much, it became a regular thing on my birthday.”
He smiles. “As you might have guessed, my dad is Irish. We all loved that little pub. It was run by this little Irish family, so we all grew attached to it. You asked me my favourite places in Cowley, but I didn’t have any. I did have some back in Dalham. I know this isn’t O’Malley’s, but it’s the closest Irish bar I could find.
I bite my lip as I think of little Mitchell Finnely in the Irish pub, all happy and excited as he eats.
“This is perfect,” I whisper.
“Really?” he asks, sounding shocked.
“Absolutely. This is the perfect, I got to learn more about you. I never thought you’d let me in, so this is perfect.” My voice is so full of emotion right now. He shrugs like it’s nothing.
“It’s not much, but it’s something.” He rests his hands on my hips.
“Well, it means a lot to me.” I kiss him softly. Smiling, I grab his hand. “Come on. Let’s see if they have Spaghetti Bolognese on the menu.”