As my eyes open slowly, I sense movement beside me. After my sight adjusts, I see my sleeping beauty. Her hair is splayed across her pillow, a peacefulness to her face. Our passionate embrace last night was different to the other times, at least it was for me. We’ve somehow managed to reach another level in our relationship. There are now no secrets between us. Nothing is keeping us apart. She’s managed to take away the trepidation I’ve been living with since I was seventeen and now finally at twenty-three, it’s as if a burden has been lifted, only slightly though.
The first part of our interaction replays in my mind. I can’t believe I told her. She’s different, so different to anyone I’ve ever dated—not that I’ve dated many. Being damaged and having nightmares every night doesn’t make me want to invite girls into my bed. The replaying of those horrible memories causes me to wake drenched in sweat, my heart racing. Yeah, it’s probably best not to have someone witness my night terrors as well. My dreams were different last night—they were of Chloe. Happy dreams.
We were in the future and we were together, living happily. A perfect dream, one would think. But what if she looks at me differently today because of what I told her? Will she hate me?
“Chloe, dear?” Nan walks in before I can stop her.
Chloe stirs slightly.
Nan eyes me with a questioning look. Slowly, I move from the bed, taking Chloe’s hand from mine. Before leaving, I place a kiss to her forehead.
Once out the door, Nan questions me. “What were you doing in there, Seth? She’s our guest. What if I had been her parents? You know I’m pretty laid back about this since you and Chloe are grown-ups, but her parents might not see it like that.”
“Sorry Nan, we were—talking last night. I told her about Mum, Dad, and Olive.”
Her hands come up to her open mouth. Her eyes look ready to pop out of her head. “Oh honey, how are you?”
“To be honest, I’m kind of relieved. I had the best rest last night, and waking up beside her is nothing short of amazing.” I’m unable to hold back the huge smile, and Nan returns one before wrapping her arms around me.
“You’re a wonderful young man. They would be proud of you, as I am.” She releases me, stepping back.
“Thanks, Nan. Things have been looking up lately, and it’s because of that girl in there.”
“I know. I’ve been watching and paying very close attention to you both. Come, have some breakfast.” She turns, walking towards the kitchen, and I follow, coming to a halt at the picture that started the whole conversation with Chloe. Olive’s beaming smile greets me. I wonder what she’d be like today. She’d probably still be an annoying little thing. Damn, I miss her. Mum’s smiling face and Dad’s silly one make me laugh; their relationship was a crazy one. Dad was such a joker and Mum was always trying to be serious, but he always managed to make her laugh.
That trip was our last, but it had been the best. We’d taught Olive to put a prawn onto a hook for fishing. It was hilarious.
“Eww Seth, can’t you do it for me . . . please?” Her blue eyes had begged me, and they even had small tears in them. Mine had been filled with tears of laughter. She’d touched the prawn and gagged so much, she’d almost thrown up her lunch.
“No, you can do it. It’s dead!”
“But feeding the hook through its bum, that’s just not right.” Her protests had continued. “Can’t we just use bread?”
“Do you want to eat tonight?”
“Mum has food!”
“No, she doesn’t,” I’d teased.
“Yes, she does!” she’d said, her loud cry echoing through the hills.
“What’s going on here, crazy kids?” Dad’s voice had drowned out the whining Olive kept producing. As her older brother, I’d loved teasing her; it had been my job.
Olive had stomped over to Dad. With her pouty lips and puppy-dog eyes, I’d been sure she’d have Dad wrapped around her pinky finger. “Daddy, Seth is being mean.”
“What’s he doing, princess?”
“Making me put the prawn on myself.”
Dad’s laugh had taunted her. “It’s not hard, honey—just thread the hook through its bum.”
At the mention of the process, her face had screwed up and even paled.
“Dad, it makes her gag even touching it.” I’d snickered.
“Oh. Seth, do it for your sister.”
“What? No way. She has to learn herself.” I’d been annoyed that I was always the one who had to give in.
“Come here, princess.” Dad had taken a seat on a rock. Olive sat beside him. He’d reached inside the cooler and pulled out a big stinky prawn. Stopping what I was doing, my first thought had been This is going to be gold.
Reeling in my fishing line, I’d taken a seat on the grass and prepared for what was about to happen.
Dad had never been much of a fisherman. Grandad taught me all that I know. Mum even knew more that Dad.
“Here’s what you do.” He’d begun by taking the hook on her line. Olive’s face had been white. “Line up the butt of the prawn with the hook and just thread it on,” he’d stated matter-of-factly, while threading it onto the hook, then turned to Olive, who’d remained silent with a blank expression on her face.
“See, honey? Easy. Are you alright?”
Before he’d got a chance to move, her lunch made a reappearance, only this time it was all over Dad. It had made me nauseous. But I’d still doubled over with laughter—how could anyone not? My hands had gripped my ribs that hurt from the laughter.
Dad had said nothing. He’d looked a shade of green as well.
“Better go for a swim.” Mum had laughed as she made her way over to Dad and Olive to assist before Dad’s lunch reappeared, too.
“What’s so funny?” Chloe’s face makes an appearance around the corner. Hobbling along without her crutches, she pauses when she sees me smiling. “Are you going to get my crutches? I called out, but I don’t think you heard me.”
“Crap sorry, I’m a terrible host. I should be taking better care of you.” I race over scooping them up, handing them to her.
“It’s okay. So, what were you laughing at?” I watch with an eagle eye to make sure she doesn’t fall while settling on her stabilisers.
“Oh, I was remembering this trip to the lake. It was one of the funniest we’d ever been on. I’d completely forgotten about it until I stopped and looked at this picture. Before last night, it would taunt me. Now, it’s a reminder of the love my family had for each other.”
Her lips curl up into a beautiful grin. “I’m so glad. Will you tell me about this trip?”
“Sure. Come, I’ll tell you over breakfast. We’ve got a big day of planning ahead of us.”
A few hours later and after several coffee refills, Nan and Chloe have finalised the menu. A new chef named Ava had ordered all the food stock needed. Ava had moved here a few weeks back and had been searching for work. Nan invited Ava over to the house to have an interview. Chloe and her clicked right away, the house was full of their laughter. It brought me great joy hearing Chloe’s laughter. Nan gave Ava the job right after the meeting, and she accepted. Everything was falling into place.
A week later we all arrive for the grand opening of Huggamug Café. This past few days have been hectic, to say the least. Chloe has been limited to what she can do, so she’s been making calls to builders to finish the final touches, and to the food suppliers making sure everything will be on time. She’s amazing.
Walking through the doors of the café, I’m blown away. I’ve seen it through the week but Nan and Ava, along with Jodie and Stanley came in early today to hang the last few pictures on the walls, and to stock the bookshelf with some books Chloe had ordered.
It looks amazing, so colourful and fresh. There’s a window fridge displaying a selection of pastries, cooked by my talented Nan and her assistant chef, Ava. When Nan told me she’d found the perfect chef, I’d nearly fallen over because since we live in a small town, I’d thought it would take a while. But Ava is perfect. She has a cheerful personality that fosters the kind of vibe Nan and Chloe want throughout the café.
Nan has been teaching her her recipes. She also plans to teach Chloe when she’s feeling better.
“Hey, Ava,” I call, walking through the back door. Nothing could kill the happiness flowing through me today.
“Hey, Seth. How’s that arm of yours?” She continues kneading the pastry dough, with Nan watching closely while doing another batch of something.
“It’s a pain, but I’m alive and Chloe’s alive and on the mend; that all that matters.”
“Life is a precious gift. You only get one, so grab it by the balls.” Ava laughs while fisting a handful of the dough. Inwardly I cringe at the thought of my balls being handled like that.
“Oh, I plan to, don’t worry about that.” My thoughts quickly turn to Chloe, bringing a new sensation of intensified emotion burning in my chest, her body against mine, warm and comforting. Those lips, oh so delicious—I plan to claim them any time I want.
“Actually, I’d love your help with something for tonight if you have time?”
Ava stops what she’s doing and looks at me. A glimmer of excitement glows in her eyes. “Oh yes, I’d love to help. What can I do?”
“I’d like to do something special for Chloe.”
Her eyebrows raise, and there’s a tiny smirk on her lips. “Like what?”
“I have a plan. I’ll let you know later.” Winking at her, I turn to greet Chloe’s parents.
Tonight, is going to be nothing short of romantic. Chloe is worth all the crap Chance is going to give me. He’s my next stop . . . His help is needed for something. I can hear all his playful taunts now.
All that aside, tonight magic is going to be in the air.