“I will. Be right back,” I promise them but I’m pretty sure that I hear my mom tell me to take my time.
I lace my fingers with Hartley’s and try to shield her from the wind the best I can as we climb the stairs to her apartment. I wait until Hartley has unlocked the door before I turn to leave.
“Sweets, wait,” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her into me.
I cup her face in my hands and tilt her head up until her blue eyes meet mine.
“Tomorrow is going to be great. You’re going to be great.”
“Everything is going to be great,” she deadpans and I bite back a grin.
“Smartass.”
The sound of Hartley’s giggle has me feeling lighter.
“Don’t stress tonight. Alright?”
“I won’t,” she promises and I lower my lips until they meet hers.
“Sweet dreams.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says, leaning up and kissing me before she steps inside and closes the door after her.
I tuck my jacket tighter around me as I jog back down the stairs and over to my truck. My mom talks the whole drive back to my house about how cute the bakery sign is and how nice it is to see the two of us together.
I carry her suitcase into the house and offer them something to eat or drink, but they’re both almost falling asleep on their feet. I tell them goodnight and leave them in the guest bedroom before I head down the hall to my own room. It’s late and I shower quickly before I crawl into bed. I should fall asleep right away. I’m exhausted from working all day and helping Hartley this afternoon, but I don’t.
I toss and turn for over an hour and it takes me a while to figure out why I’m so restless.
It’s because Hartley isn’t here next to me.
We’ve been spending the nights at each other’s place a lot, almost every single night, and this is the first time in over a week that we’re not together.
My phone dings softly on the nightstand and I reach over, smiling when I see Hartley’s name on the screen.
HARTLEY: I can’t sleep.
ELI: Me either.
HARTLEY: I miss you. The bed is too big without you taking up all of the space.
ELI: Smartass.
HARTLEY: Wanna sneak into my bedroom?
ELI: I’m on my way.
I grinas I pull on some clothes and tiptoe down the hallway. I can hear my parents snoring as I pass by the guest room and out the front door. The streets are empty as I drive down them back toward the bakery.
Hartley has left the front door unlocked for me and I lock it and kick off my boots, hanging up my jacket before I make my way to the bedroom.
She’s laying on her side, facing the door, and she smiles when she sees me. I hurry to undress and crawl into bed beside her.
“Scoot over,” I tease as I sprawl out in the center of the bed.
Hartley giggles, cuddling into my side and resting her head on my chest.
“Do you feel like a teenager sneaking into your girlfriend’s house? Trying not to wake her parents?” she asks.
“I wouldn’t know. I never had a girlfriend and I’ve never snuck into anyone’s house.”
“I’ve never had anyone sneak into my room late at night either.”
“I’m glad to be your first,” I tease.
Hartley elbows me and we fall silent.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she says in a tired voice after a minute.
“Me too,” I whisper back as I close my eyes and let sleep finally claim me.