Six Weeks of Loving You

by Karli Perrin

  “Hey,” she answers almost immediately. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah, fine. How are you?” I ask.

  “I’m okay, just the usual headache.”

  “Headache?”

  “Oh.” She pauses. “You don’t remember.” It’s more of a statement than a question.

  “Is that a joke? Because you know my memory is a little hazy these days…”

  She laughs. “No…I just…I didn’t realize it was that time. I was talking to you about my headaches a few days ago. I thought you had another week left. Is it day one today?”

  “Day two. Tell me about the headaches.”

  “I’ve been getting them for the past few weeks. It’s no big deal.”

  “You need to get checked out.”

  “I already have. My doctor ran a few tests and everything’s fine. They’re just annoying.”

  “Are you sure?” For as long as I can remember, she’s always played things down.

  “Of course. There’s no need to worry, I promise. Hey, are you still coming tomorrow? It’s okay if you’re not feeling up to it. I completely understand.”

  “I want to see you, but how do I usually get there? The scrapbook doesn’t say anything. I don’t have a car and I can’t take the…” I close my eyes and take some deep breaths when I think about the train crash. Even though I don’t have any actual memories of it, the thought of getting on another train makes me feel sick.

  “Hey, no, don’t worry. Roxy usually drives.”

  “Oh, okay. She didn’t mention anything today. I’ll ask her later. I’m heading over to Sanctum soon.”

  “For your morning fix?”

  I open my eyes when my mind jumps to Spencer. “Yes."

  “Hey, have they hired anybody new yet? Last time I spoke to Roxy, she was swamped.”

  “Yeah, a new guy started,” I reply, as casually as I can.

  “Oh.” She pauses. “What’s he like?”

  Gorgeous. “I don’t know. I only met him yesterday.”

  “Well what does he look like? Is he handsome?”

  “I haven’t noticed...” Liar.

  “Well maybe you could notice and report back to me tomorrow.”

  “And maybe you could stop being so nosy.”

  She giggles. “That’s never going to happen.”

  “I’m going to jump in the shower,” I say, before she can ask me any more questions. Spencer was right when he called me a terrible liar. My sister would see straight through my lies. “I’ll let you know what Roxy says later.”

  I hang up and even though the conversation only lasted for a minute, I already feel more like myself. I don’t see my family half as much as I’d like to, but when I do, they bring out the real me. The old me.

  Here’s hoping that Roxy is in the mood for a road trip.

  ***

  The little bell chimes, announcing my arrival at Sanctum. Spencer looks up and smiles when he sees me. I make my way over to him, feeling naked under his gaze. I even glance down to check that I haven’t forgotten to wear clothes. I breathe a little sigh of relief when I see my favorite jeans and sweater.

  “Good morning, Sunshine,” he says, when I reach the counter.

  “Good morning, Spencer.”

  “Are you feeling any better today?”

  “If you’re referring to World War Three in my womb then no, not really.”

  Roxy appears next to him, looking sheepish. She hands me my coffee as a phone rings from somewhere behind them. “Can you get that?” she asks Spencer.

  “Do I have to?”

  “Don’t worry, Cora will still be here when you get back,” she jokes.

  “In that case, excuse me, ladies.” He turns around and my greedy eyes fall to his ass. I reluctantly look away when Roxy catches me ogling him. I frown as I try to figure out today’s latte art. “What is it?”

  She grins. “I wanted to make you laugh after yesterday. It’s a uterus.”

  “Um…okay. I thought you said you were going to draw me something awesome…”

  “It is awesome.”

  “A uterus isn’t exactly what I expected to see in my morning coffee, Rox.”

  “It’s not just a uterus. Look closer…it’s menstrual island. I saw it on Instagram a while back.”

  “What the hell is menstrual island?” I ask, eyes wide.

  She leans over and almost sticks her fingers into my coffee. “It’s like a map. This line separates crampy valley and hater lake. That little triangle is a mountain of pain and those three little lines are supposed to join up to make a mood swing.”

  “Wow.” I nod slowly, trying to think of what to say next. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time…”

  “Thanks. It’s cool, isn’t it?”

  “Um, I’m not really sure what to think of it.”

  “Upload it to your Instagram, see how many likes it gets.”

  “I think I’ll pass on posting it online.” I might even pass on drinking it.

  “Why? You post all of my other designs.”

  “This one’s a little TMI, especially for this time of day.” I close my eyes and take a small sip, focusing on the caffeine.

  “Are we talking about vaginas again?” Spencer asks as he strolls towards us, looking like he should be on a catwalk. “Because I want in.”

  I almost spit an ovary in his face. “You want in?”

  His eyes dance mischievously. “I do.”

  I pass him my cup. “Here - have my uterus.”

  “Be careful, Cora. I may get crossed wires...”

  I roll my eyes and place the heating pad on top of the counter. “Please tell Verity I said thank you.”

  He smirks. “I'll tell her when I take her out to dinner. Are you sure you don’t want to keep it for a bit longer?”

  “I’m good, thanks.” I look to Roxy. “I might be visiting my sister tomorrow. Are you up for a road trip?”

  “Aww, I’d love to but I’m working all weekend.”

  “Oh, okay,” I reply, trying not to sound too disappointed. “It’s fine. We can go another time.”

  “But you haven’t seen her in a while. Have you already arranged it with her?”

  “Apparently so.”

  “You haven’t mentioned anything before now, or I would have booked the weekend off.”

  I shrug. “Honestly, it’s fine. I spoke to her earlier and she said we can arrange it for a different week.”

  “I can give you a ride,” Spencer says. “I'm already heading out of town."

  It's an attractive offer but I'm not sure it’s a good idea to be left alone with him. “You don’t even know where my sister lives. It could be anywhere.”

  “Well I’m heading to L.A.”

  Roxy nudges me. “What a coincidence.”

  What a set-up more like. “And who are you visiting in L.A.?”

  “My buddy.”

  I narrow my eyes. “What’s his name?”

  “AJ. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at nine.”

  “I haven’t accepted the offer yet.”

  “Do you want to see your sister?" I nod. “Then I’ll pick you up at nine.”

  “You don’t know where I live.”

  “Then show me. Maybe I can walk you home later.”

  “Maybe I can write it down for you.”

  He smirks. “What’s up, Sunshine? Are you scared to be alone with me?”

  Oh, great. Now all I can think about is Spencer in my apartment. In my bedroom. “You know what? l'll just visit my sister some other time.”

  “I’m working every weekend next month,” Roxy says. “And I know that she misses you.”

  I’m overcome with guilt. How many times have I visited her in the last eighteen months? I can’t even remember the last time I saw her. I sigh. “How would I get home?”

  Spencer chuckles. “I’m not going to leave you stranded. I’ll drive you back whenever you want. I haven’t made any solid plans, but I’m off work all we
ekend.”

  I shrug. “Fine. But I’m paying for gas.”

  “No you’re not. I’m driving there whether you come with me or not. I’ll pay for my own gas.”

  “But I want to pay.”

  “I won’t let you pay unless you let me buy you lunch.”

  I fold my arms across my chest. “Are you blackmailing me?”

  “Nah, I think it’s more of a bribe."

  We suddenly become rivals in a staring contest which I already know I’m going to lose. I clear my throat. “I’ll bring food. We can eat lunch in the car. Sorted.”

  “Or you can bring a dress and we can eat at a restaurant.”

  “We can just eat on the way there. It’ll be quicker.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “Quicker isn’t always better, Cora. I like to take my time.” His eyes do the rest of the talking.

  I want to play this game with him. I want to flirt back. I want him to carry on looking at me like I'm the snack. Hell, I want him to feast on me. But we can’t always have what we want. I know the rules. I need to be responsible. I look away when the weight of his stare becomes too much. “I need to start editing.”

  “Have fun,” Roxy says, grinning. I bet her little matchmaking heart is happy right now.

  “Well at least she didn’t say no this time,” I hear Spencer say as I walk away.

  “Slow and steady wins the race," she replies.

  I glance down at my coffee and mentally push them both into hater lake.

  ***

  “How’s the editing going?” Spencer asks, once the lunchtime rush has calmed down. I manage to stay in my seat this time, but that’s only because I saw him walking over to me when I sneaked a look at him. I might have to find a new coffee shop or else I’m never going to finish writing this damn book.

  “It’s going okay,” I tell him. “But I don’t really like this part. I prefer the writing.”

  He sits opposite me in the same chair as yesterday. “Interesting. I used to know someone who said editing is their favorite part because it’s their chance to make the book better.”

  “That’s true, but I prefer the first draft where I can just let my imagination run free. There’s no pressure for it to be any good.”

  He laughs. “Write drunk, edit sober.”

  “Yep. It’s no fun being sober.”

  “Are you happy with what you’ve got so far?”

  “I am. I love the characters.”

  I watch as he leans back and crosses his ankles, making himself more comfortable. “Read me some.”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Come on. Just one line.”

  “I told you yesterday that I don’t like anybody reading my work until it’s finished.”

  “One line can’t hurt. Pick me a good one.”

  I raise an eyebrow as I turn to face my laptop. I skim through a couple of earlier chapters, looking for a specific scene which is still playing on my mind. I clear my throat. “‘I’m going to spread you out on this table and eat you for dessert.’”

  I laugh when his eyes widen. “Okay, well I definitely wasn’t expecting that. Tell me more.”

  “Nope. That’s all you’re getting from me.”

  “Oh, Sunshine, if that was all I was getting from you then I would be a very happy man indeed.”

  I groan. “I should have kept my mouth shut.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have. Carry on.”

  “No way.”

  “You can’t leave me hanging like that.”

  “Did you just come over here to distract me or is there something you want?”

  He grins. “Well now I want dessert, but I originally came over here to give you this.” He slides a napkin across the table.

  I glance at the handwritten number. “Another taco place?”

  He laughs. “No. This is the number for a really good baggage handler.”

  “Baggage handler?”

  “After our conversation last night, I thought you might feel like unloading. You don’t have to carry your baggage all by yourself. There are people who can help with things like that. People like me.”

  I shrug. “My baggage, my problem.”

  “Ugh, you’re so greedy keeping all of your problems to yourself. You need to learn how to share.”

  “I don’t like to share.”

  “Not even dessert?” He tries to hypnotize me again with his bedroom eyes. “Tell me, Cora…when you write, do you take inspiration from real life?”

  “Sometimes.”

  “What about that line you just read to me? Has anybody ever spread you out and eaten you for dessert?”

  I attempt to clear my throat but end up choking on my own spit. Smooth. “Thanks for the little visit but I really need to get back to work.”

  He has a grin on his face as he stands up. “There’s still plenty of time to make it a reality...”

  Wrong. I won’t remember you next month.

  And that’s what I’ll have to keep telling myself this afternoon if I want to get any work done.

  Chapter Five

  “Your carriage awaits, milady,” Spencer says, dead on four o’clock.

  I stop typing midsentence and look up. “My carriage?”

  “Okay, I lied. There is no carriage, but I’d take great pleasure in throwing you over my shoulder.” His eyes do that stupid sparkly thing which makes me go weak at the knees.

  “And where exactly would you be taking me?”

  “Home.”

  “My home or your home?” I ask.

  “Either is good with me. I’ve just finished my shift so I’m free to take you wherever you want to go.” He winks. “Did I tell you that I know a really awesome taco place?”

  I sigh as my stomach rumbles right on cue. Traitor body. “Yes, you did, five hundred times. If we go for tacos, will you shut up about taking me out to dinner?”

  “I guess there’s only one way to find out.”

  I close my laptop. “Fine. Let’s go check if off your list so you can move on.”

  “Ah, is that how it’s going to work? Because I have a long list of things for us to do, Sunshine.”

  I roll my eyes. “Just take me to the damn tacos.”

  ***

  I moan as I shovel more food into my mouth, not realizing how hungry I was until now. I guess that’s what happens when you’re so busy you forget to eat lunch.

  “Good?” he asks with a grin on his face.

  “The best I’ve ever had.”

  “I could get used to hearing you say that.”

  I roll my eyes. “Shush. Let me enjoy this.”

  He leans back in his chair and watches as I take another bite. “Oh, I will. Please continue with the orgasm noises.” Just hearing the word orgasm come out of his mouth makes me blush. He chuckles. “I love it when you do that.”

  I finish chewing my food and then swallow hard. His eyes shoot to my throat and I feel too self-conscious to put anything else in my mouth while he’s watching me so intently. How the hell has he made eating feel sexual? “Do what? Make noises?”

  “Well that too but I love it when you blush.” I push my plate away and pick up a napkin. “Please don’t stop.”

  And I could get used to hearing him say that. I shrug. “I’ve finished.”

  “Have you got room for dessert?”

  I ignore him and stop a waitress as she walks by. “Excuse me. Please can we grab the check?”

  “Sure. I’ll get that sorted for…oh my god, Spencer! Long time, no see!”

  “Rosalie…hey.”

  “Where have you been hiding, stranger?” She angles her body towards him, excluding me from the conversation. “I thought you must have moved away or something. We never see you these days.”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Doing what?”

  “The usual. Working. Eating. Sleeping.”

  “All work and no play makes Spencer a dull boy.”

  “I’m doing just fine.”


  She glances at me. “Is this your girlfriend?”

  “Oh…um…no…she’s my…” It’s the first time I’ve seen him flustered. “She’s a friend.”

  I mean, we’re having dinner together and it’s not a date, so I guess that makes us friends.

  Rosalie seems pleased by his answer and turns back to face him, shoving her ass in my face. “Cool. Have you still got the same number?”

  He glances at me before answering. “Mmhmm.”

  “Then I’ll call you.” She places a hand on his shoulder. “We need a catch up.”

  “It was good to see you again, Rose,” he simply replies.

  I note his use of nickname and then get mad at myself for feeling jealous.

  “It’s always good to see you, Spencer. I’ll get your check sorted right away.”

  We sit in silence for a few seconds. “Well,” I finally say. “She seems friendly. Shame I only got to see her ass though.” He laughs but there’s a hint of something behind his eyes…disappointment, or possibly regret. “Ex-girlfriend?” I ask, as casually as possible.

  “Nah. Just an old friend. I went to college with her.”

  I nod. “What did you study?”

  His body begins to relax. “Take a guess.”

  “Oooh, I like games,” I lean my head to the side and study him. “Hmmm. Let’s see what I already know about you. You’re friendly…confident…composed.”

  He smiles. “Composed? So you think that I’m cool.”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re calm. Laid back. You seem like you could work under pressure. I could see you as a doctor or maybe a lawyer.”

  He sits up a little straighter. “Did Roxy tell you?”

  “Tell me what? Did I guess right?” I clap my hands together.

  “Yes. I studied biology then became an EMT.”

  “Wow. Did you go to med school?”

  “Not quite. I did an advanced paramedic program. I loved my job, so I wasn’t interested in becoming a doctor.”

  “So what changed?”

  He clenches his jaw. “I wasn’t cut out for it.”

  “In what way?”

  “I saw a few things which changed me. Changed my outlook on life.”

  “Oh. I’m sorry.”

  He reaches out as though he’s going to take my hand but stops and awkwardly retracts it. “You don’t have to be sorry.”