Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
I mean, I adore our time together. There’s something intoxicating about the way we can’t seem to keep our hands off each other, the way he looks at me with that mischievous grin, the way we spend hours tangled up in each other in my bed. But I feel like all we do is hang out at my place, hidden away from the rest of the world. It’s like we’ve created this secret little world just for us, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s enough.
We’ve been secretly seeing each other for three weeks now. During the day, I’m running my shop, interacting with customers, and trying to keep my mind off how much I can’t wait to see him later. He goes to work, too, and then at night, without fail, he comes over, and we lose ourselves in each other. The sex is incredible—crazy, even, like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It feels perfect, like we’ve found this rhythm that’s ours alone.
And yet, there’s this nagging feeling I can’t ignore, like something is missing, like there’s a part of us we’re not exploring. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s there, lurking in the background, making me wonder if this is all there is or if there’s more waiting for us beyond these four walls.
It’s Sunday, and Tripp had to leave early to have dinner with his family. Sunday dinner—a tradition that I know all too well. When I was dating Brock, I was always invited to these dinners. It was a given, something that tied us together in a more official way. But with Tripp, it’s different. He hasn’t invited me yet, and I don’t know if it’s because we’re keeping things under wraps or if it’s something else entirely.
Am I mad about it? I don’t even know, to be honest. Part of me wants to brush it off, to focus on the fact that we’re happy, that things between us feel right. But another part of me—one I’m not quite ready to admit to—wonders why he hasn’t asked me to be part of that part of his life. Why haven’t we stepped out of this little bubble we’ve created?
I just want to spend time with him, all of him, and not just in the confines of my apartment. I want to see what it’s like out there, in the real world, where we don’t have to hide, where we can be more than just a secret. I just wish I knew how to bring it up without shattering the perfection of what we have now.
My phone pings with a new message, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance over at the screen and see Violet’s name, a small thrill of excitement bubbling up inside me.
Violet: Come downstairs and open the door.
A wide smile spreads across my face as I quickly text her back, letting her know I’m on my way. My shop is usually closed on Sundays, a day reserved for quiet moments and catching up on things I never seem to have time for during the week. But for Violet, I’m more than happy to make an exception.
I toss my phone onto the bed and hurry over to the mirror, smoothing down my hair with a few quick brushes. I dab a bit of lip balm on and swipe on a hint of mascara, just enough to feel refreshed. My reflection shows a hint of the glow Violet had commented on before, and I can’t help but grin at the memory. Maybe she’s right—maybe there’s something different about me now.
I throw on a cozy sweater, the soft knit hugging my skin as I pull it over my head, and slip into my favorite jeans. They’re slightly worn at the knees, but they’re comfortable, and I know Violet won’t judge me for choosing comfort over fashion. I grab my shop keys from the dresser and take one last look in the mirror before heading out.
As I make my way downstairs, the familiar creak of the wooden steps under my feet brings a sense of calm, a reminder of the routine I’ve built here. The scent of old books and the faint trace of coffee still linger in the air, even though the shop is closed. It’s my sanctuary, a place where everything feels just right.
When I reach the bottom, I take a deep breath and unlock the door, swinging it open with a warm smile. "Hey," I say, my voice full of affection as I greet Violet, who’s standing on the other side, looking as radiant as ever.
"Hey yourself," Violet replies with a grin, her eyes sparkling with that familiar, playful glint that always seems to put me at ease.
"What brings you by?" I ask, stepping aside to let her in. The autumn air slips in for a moment as she passes, a crisp reminder of the changing seasons.