Chapter 15 I Thought You Were Gone
April
I collapse on the sofa with an iced coffee, exhausted. It has been a busy day trying to get everything organised that arrived today. My entire body aches. I should probably have waited for Corran to come by and help with some of the heavier things, but I have gotten used to doing everything for myself for so long. I am suffering for it now, though.
Sighing, I rest back on the sofa and take a sip of my coffee. I close my eyes and take a breather.
“Did you miss, baby girl?”
The sound of Corbin’s voice perks me up, and a smile grows on my lips. I was getting worried since I hadn’t seen him for nearly two days. He is never gone that long. I open my eyes and see him standing before me, smiling brightly.
“Where have you been? I was getting worried. Are you mad at me because I slept next to Corran?” I ask nervously.
Shaking his head, he takes his spot next to me. “No, of course not. I have been around. I just haven’t shown myself. I didn’t want you getting distracted by me. Plus, I think the time I have you with Corran was a good thing. I know nothing is going on, but it was nice to watch you sleep peacefully, rather than being so restless.” He smiles and rests his hand on my knee.
“It has been a long time since I have slept so peacefully. I am sorry if seeing me sleep next to another man hurt you in any way, my love.”
“It wasn’t easy, but it didn’t hurt me. I knew one day the time would come. It isn’t like you were doing anything but sleeping.”
“As long as you aren’t mad at me.”
Corbin reaches in and caresses my cheek. I close my eyes and move into his touch. “I could never be mad at you, sweetheart.” His lips press against mine, and my breath hitches in my throat.
Smiling, he parts first.
“Where did you go?”
“I was around. I was hanging out at Corran’s place when he was here.” He chuckles.
I can usually sense if he is close by. Weirdly, I didn’t over the last couple of days.
“Why?”
“I fancied a change of scenery. I saw Edin again. She always seems to be around, too, but as I said, she can’t seem to be around in the same way I can, but she is there.”
“I wonder if she was upset,” I sigh.
I hope she wasn’t. I don’t want her to think I want her husband. I wish I could know for sure, but I can’t see her, and she doesn’t seem to be around long enough for Corbin to talk to her.
“If she is anything like me, then probably not. She didn’t seem upset. If anything, she seemed like she was smiling.”
I don’t know if that is the truth or if Corbin is telling me that to try make me feel better. I place my head on his shoulder and sigh.
“Everything will be okay, April. I promise.”
I hope that is true because the last few days have been complicated enough, and I don’t want to add anything more on top of it. Silence fills the room; it is a comfortable one.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper.
“I told you, angel, I am always close by.”
A knock on the front door ends the conversation. “That must be, Corran. I can ignore it, though.”
I am enjoying being alone with Corbin. I don’t want to be rude, but I have spent all my time with Corran recently.
“No, you don’t need to do that, April. You should answer the door.” He encourages before he vanishes again.
I stare at the door, still tempted not to answer it, but I should. He has been so helpful and has been a good friend. He doesn’t deserve to be dismissed. I gather myself, put on my best smile and answer the door. He must have gone home first because when he left this morning, he was in a suit; now he is in jeans and a hoodie. He looked good in a suit, very handsome. He looks just as handsome in casual clothes.
“Hey, here as promised to give you a hand.”
“Hey, um, one thing, there is nothing left to do. I did everything.” I laugh.
Corran crosses his arms over his chest and raises his brow. “You couldn’t have waited?”
I shake my head. “Nope! I was bored. I got used to doing everything for myself.”
He chuckles. “Stubborn is what you are. Well, if you don’t need me, then I will leave you in peace.”
“You don’t need to. Please, come in.”
“Okay.”
I don’t want him to think I only want him around if I need help, but it isn’t like that at all. I step aside, motioning for him to come in. Smiling, he enters the flat, and I close the door behind us.
“Do you want a coffee?”
“No, I am okay, thanks. The place looks great.” He smiles, glancing around.
I grin. “It does! It feels more like a home now.”
It will never be home, not really. Nowhere has felt like home since Corbin died.
“How did you manage to move some of these things? Or did the delivery guys help you?”
“Nope, no help. I am stronger than I look. Though I am suffering for it now.” I pout.
“You have no one to blame but yourself.” He teases, nudging me.
I roll my eyes. “Mean!”
He laughs loudly and takes a seat on the sofa. I know not to look to him for sympathy. It is true. I have no one to blame but myself. I will take a nice, warm bubble bath later to help ease my muscles.
“Have you taken time to eat at least?”
“Um, not since breakfast.”
I have been too busy to think about eating.
“April! You need to eat. We can go out for dinner.”
“Or we can go grocery shopping, and I can cook us something with my new cooker. I really want to use it. I love to cook.”
I have missed cooking, especially for more than just myself.
“Even better. You can’t beat a home-cooked meal.”
“Perfect. Let me change, and we can go pick some things up.”
I need a decent shop since I haven’t had one since I arrived, since I never had anything to keep everything in or cook with. I will be happy to have my fridge, freezer, and cabinets full. I don’t know what I want to cook. We can decide when we get there because I can cook most things. Corbin and I always loved cooking together. We used to take classes, it is where I learned to be such a good cook.
“Okay, take your time.” Corran smiles.
I nod and disappear to my room to change. I am excited to cook again.