Chapter 5 You Shouldn't Be Encouraging This!
April
I sigh as Corran leaves. I appreciate his help, but I don’t need him to stick around and judge me. I sit on the floor, taking everything out of the bags and setting it in piles according to which room it belongs to.
“That was nice for him to give you a lift and help.”
I squeal and jump. Corbin laughs. “You should be used to this by now.”
I laugh and turn to face him. He is smiling brightly at me. “I will never get used to it. Yes, I guess it was nice of him.”
“Did you get everything you need?” he asks, sitting on the floor across from me.
“I did. Where did you vanish to?”
“I was around. I didn’t go far but kept out of sight. He didn’t need any other reasons to ask why you are talking to someone who isn’t there.”
“No, he already thinks I am crazy.” I snicker.
“You didn’t go with my suggestion,” Corbin pouts.
I roll my eyes. “Oh, don’t get all pouty on me, babe. I want some colour in the black and not all dark colours.”
He reaches over, pressing his lips to mine. I moan softly, the feel of it making my heart race in my chest. God, I wish we could do more than we can. It doesn’t matter anyway. Our bond and connections go way beyond the sexual side of things. It was amazing when we were together, but in the last few years, we have found other ways to maintain that intimacy.
“How are you feeling about being here?”
“Honestly, I am unsure. It will take some time to adjust. I just hope I don’t regret it.”
Corbin caresses my cheek. “You won’t. It is what you need, my love, a fresh start.”
I close my eyes and move into his touch. “Yes.”
A loud knock at my door pulls us out of our moment. I groan. “Who is that?”
“It can only be one person.”
“Well, I am not answering. He can go away.”
“April, you should answer. You aren’t a rude person. Why don’t you want to answer?”
“Because he annoys me.”
Corbin laughs. “Answer the door, sweetheart. He isn’t that bad. You got off on the wrong foot, is all.”
I roll my eyes. “You aren’t supposed to be encouraging me. You are meant to be on my side.” I whine.
He kisses me softly. “I am always on your side, now answer the door.”
Corbin doesn’t give me a chance to say anything because he disappears, only his beautiful laugh echoing in the air as he does. He won’t go far. He will be keeping an eye on me from somewhere. I huff and protest, but go and answer the door.
“Hello again, Miss April.”
“Hello, Corran. Can I help you with something?” I ask politely. I don’t want to seem like a bitch because I am not.
“Yes, I feel bad for what I said. I am wondering if I could make it up to you.”
I cross my arms over my chest and raise my brow at him. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
“Will you join me for dinner? I will cook. It means you won’t need to order in. I am not asking you on a date, please don’t think I am. More like a friendly neighbour’s dinner? Nothing more.”
Corran seems nervous. His words are shaky, and he is rocking slightly on his heels. Why is he so nervous if he isn’t asking me on a date?
I don’t answer straightaway, which seems to add to his nerves.
“Say yes,” Corbin’s voice says from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder, glaring at him. “Yes, it isn’t a hard word to say.”
I continue to glare at him. Holding his hands up, he chuckles and disappears again. I turn back to Corran, who is looking at me strangely. I need to be careful.
“Okay, dinner sounds nice. What time?”
If I don’t say yes, Corbin will complain to me all night for not going.
“If you come by at seven. Is there anything you don’t like? Any allergies?”
“I don’t have any allergies. I don’t like anything too spicy.”
“That is fine. I will see you in a few hours.” Corran smiles and walks away.
I close the door behind me, resting against it and sigh. “Corbin, you are in my bad books now.”
“You will get over it. It is only dinner, nothing more. You need friends.”
“But him? He seems rude and annoying.” I protest, crossing my arms over my chest.
Corbin appears before me. “You just need time to get to him. I sense he is struggling with something. That he is closed off, a bit like you. The two of you being friends may be good for both of you,” he says softly.
“I guess…”
Corbin smiles widely at me. “That is my girl. It will be fine. It is better than takeaway food.”
Corbin kisses my cheek, and I return to what I was doing. I’d better not regret agreeing to this. It will be nice to have someone to cook for me. No one has done it since Corbin. He always used to cook for me. We cooked together. Food was one of our love languages. Any time we were mad at one another, we would cook each other’s favourite dish, and everything would be okay. I miss that. I miss fighting with him. Yes, we still have a moment, but it isn’t the same. We didn’t fight often, but when we did, we never stayed mad at one another for long. We agreed when we got married that we never go to bed angry.
“Are you okay, sweetheart? You seem somewhere else.”
“I was thinking, that is all. Do you remember any time we fought, how we used to make up, and I don’t mean the sex.”
It will be his first thought.
“Of course I do, angel. We cooked our favourite dishes for one another.” He smiles.
“I miss that. You were the last person to ever cook for me.”
“I miss it too. I am sure you will enjoy the meal tonight with someone cooking for you.”
“Unless he is a horrible cook, then I won’t.”
Corbin shakes his head. “Stop being so negative.”
I furrow my brows and stick my tongue out at him. “Oh, hush.”
He was always the more positive, rational one between us. I’ve always been a little feisty and one of those people who can’t hide how they really feel because my face gives me away.
“It will be fine. It will be good for you to have some company, other than me.”
I nod, hoping he is right. I don’t want to think about it right now. I still have a little time until I need to be in Coran’s company again. God, this could get confusing, both their names are similar.