Six Weeks of Loving You

by Karli Perrin

  “Yay! I can’t wait to see you!”

  “You too. I’m actually calling to ask for a favor.”

  “Sure. What is it?”

  “Spencer’s friend cancelled so he has nowhere to stay. Can he crash at yours? He’s talking about checking into a…”

  “Of course he can!” she replies, overenthusiastically.

  “Oh,” I reply, a little taken aback. I was expecting her to need some persuading. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. He’s going to be tired after the long drive.”

  “Yeah. He offered to pay for a hotel but…”

  “Nope. No way. Not after driving my baby sister to come and see me.”

  “Yeah, okay, well I’ll see you soon.”

  “See you soon!” She squeals excitedly before hanging up.

  “You’re close with your sister,” Spencer says.

  I nod. “She’s my rock. She’s the only family I have over here. My dad died when I was young, and my mom moved to England when I was eighteen. She came back for a while after the…” Accident. I shrug. “She always goes back. She has a husband, and he has grandchildren. We only speak a couple of times a year. It’s hard not having my mom around, you know?”

  He nods. I love how he listens so intently without feeling the need to ask questions. He allows me to tell him as little or as much as I want. Having him around feels like having a safety net. He’s never imposing and gives you the right amount of space, but he’s there if you need him. And if he’s the safety net, I’m the tightrope walker. It’s unknown territory with Spencer. It’s scary but exhilarating. Even if there’s a net…I still can’t allow myself to fall. “Are you close with your parents?” I ask.

  His eyes soften. “I am.”

  “Do you see them much?”

  “Yes. Every Sunday for lunch.”

  “Aww, that’s cute.”

  “You think that I’m cute?”

  “I think making the effort to see your family every Sunday is cute.”

  “They’re my blood. There’s no effort involved.”

  I smile. “Do you have any siblings?”

  “Two older brothers.”

  “Oh, wow, so you’re the baby of the family.”

  “Yep.” He winks. “My parents saved the best until last.”

  “Are you the modest one too?”

  “Who, me?” he jokes.

  “Did your brothers get into medicine?”

  “No. One’s an architect and the other’s a detective.”

  “Nice.” I wiggle my eyebrows up and down. “Are they single?”

  He sighs. “Don’t play with my emotions like that, Sunshine. They’re both married.”

  “Damn it,” I tease. “So you’re my only option.”

  “Um, hold up. Can I get that in writing? I’m your only option. In the whole wide world, I’m the only one for you.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “See, this right here is why I need it in writing; for when you try to go back on your word.”

  “You’re wasting your time. You can get that in writing.”

  “What a shame, I don’t have any paper.”

  “Your hotel will probably have some.” He glances at me, eyebrows raised in question. “My sister said you can’t crash at her house,” I lie. “Sorry.”

  “That’s fine. No problem at all.”

  I last about ten seconds before coming clean. I can’t lie to him. He reeks of honesty and I owe him that in return. That’s why this weekend, I need to be completely honest with him. I’ll tell him everything, and when I do, I won’t need to worry about getting attached to him, because somebody as good as him would never be interested in somebody as messed up as me.

  Chapter Nine

  I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I see my sister waiting for me on the front porch. I’m about to throw open the car door when I remember my manners - and the beautiful man sitting next to me. “Thank you for the ride and, you know, not murdering me. I appreciate it.”

  He chuckles. “Go hug your sister.”

  I open the door and we run up to each other as though it’s a scene out of a movie. I wrap my arms around her, and my heart feels whole again. “I’ve missed you,” she says, her voice wobbly.

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  “I’ve missed you more,” she teases. “You’re too busy writing and forgetting all about me.”

  “Wait, who are you again?” I joke, before pointing to the knitting needles on the porch step. “Seriously, who are you? You knit?”

  “Hell yeah, I knit.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since a couple of weeks ago.”

  “You’re thirty-two, not seventy-two.”

  She shushes me. “Keep your voice down. My neighbors think I’m twenty-six.”

  “And why is that? Could it be because you told them you were twenty-six?”

  “Maybe. Or maybe it’s because I look like I’m twenty-six.”

  I laugh. “You’re way too young to be lying about your age, sis.”

  “Way too young being the operative words.” She looks over my shoulder and grins. I turn around to see Spencer standing a few feet away, a smile on his face. My stomach flips when I spot my bag in his hand. Jeez, this man is perfect.

  I clear my throat. “Spencer, this is my sister, Connie. Con, this is Spencer Hale.” It should probably feel a little awkward introducing a stranger to my family, but surprisingly, it doesn’t.

  I expect them to shake hands or something, but he pulls her into a hug. He’s clearly trying to get into my good books…or hers. “How was the drive?” she asks him.

  He glances at me. “Glorious.”

  “Thanks for getting her here safely.”

  “Of course. Anytime.”

  She turns to me and wiggles her eyebrows. “Did you hear that, Cora? Anytime.”

  I ignore her and look around for Adam. “Where’s your husband-to-be?”

  “He’s practicing his lines somewhere. He has a big audition tomorrow.”

  “That’s awesome! Why didn’t you mention anything?”

  “He only found out about it the other day. He’s super nervous.”

  “What’s it for?” Spencer asks.

  “Some new Netflix show.”

  “It’s called The Honey Trap,” Adam announces, as he walks down the porch steps wearing a swanky suit.

  “Aww, you dressed up for me,” I joke.

  He winks. “Always. But I’m also auditioning for the role of a millionaire so I’m trying to get into character.” He messes up my hair before pulling me into a bear hug. He’s the big brother I never had. “I’m surprised you even remember me…”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re hilarious.”

  “Seriously though, it’s been too long this time.”

  “You’re the one who moved to L.A.”

  “And you’re the one who stayed in San Francisco.”

  He walks over to Spencer and they do some kind of secret handshake. How is it that men always know which one to do? Do they practice all different types? I only know the standard handshake. “Hey, man.”

  “How’s it going, brother?” Brother? Does he try to win over everyone he meets? And there I was, feeling special.

  “It’s all good over here. How are things with you?”

  “I can’t complain,” Spencer replies. “Are you ready for your big audition?”

  “I think so. I hope so.”

  “You’re definitely ready,” Connie says. “The show is based on a book and he’s even read that.”

  “It’s just research,” he adds modestly.

  “I doubt the other actors have read it from start to finish.”

  “Only time will tell.” He gestures to Spencer. “Come on, let’s find you a beer.”

  I raise my eyebrow as I watch them walk into the house. Spencer glances back at me and winks. “Stop looking at my ass, Cora.”

  I curse under my breath as my gaze inst
inctively travels south. I shake my head and turn to my sister. She has a huge grin on her face. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I like him…and I think you do too.”

  “You don’t know him. I don’t even know him.”

  “I know that he drove five hours so my little sister could visit her family. I know that he’s going to sleep on my uncomfortable couch until you’re ready to go home. He’s a good guy, Cora.”

  I sigh. “I know.”

  She nudges me. “And he’s not too shabby to look at, right?”

  Since my sister can read me like a book, there’s no point even trying to lie. “How can somebody be that handsome?”

  “Have you spoken to him about…”

  “No,” I interrupt her. “Not yet.”

  She nods. “I’m sure he won’t care.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “And you don’t know that he would. Remember what your therapist said. You can’t make decisions for other people. You have no control over what they can and can’t handle.”

  “But I do have control over my own life, and if I don’t want to mess with somebody else’s, then that’s my decision.”

  “But that’s only how you perceive it. You automatically assume you’re going to have a negative impact, which is bullshit. I’d be lost without you. If a person wants you in their life, that’s their decision and you should respect that.”

  I sigh. “I need a drink.”

  “Cora…”

  I begin to walk away. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to enjoy my time with you.”

  She falls into step next to me. “Me too.”

  We find Spencer and Adam huddled in the kitchen. They’re both holding bottles of beer and stop talking when they see us. “Don’t stop on our account,” I say. “What are you two plotting?”

  Adam laughs. “Nothing. We’re talking about football.”

  “Then please do stop on our account,” Connie says, as she opens the fridge and takes out two bottles of water. She hands one to me before taking a sip of her own.

  “Thanks. I’ll take a beer too.”

  She grabs one and removes the cap before passing it to me. “Cheers,” I say to nobody in particular.

  The others hold up their bottles. “Cheers to family,” Adam says.

  I catch Spencer’s eye, and Connie’s words echo in my head. I’m caught off guard by how much I’ll care if he decides that he can’t handle my reality.

  Chapter Ten

  Several hours (and beers) later, I’m outside getting some air when I hear the door open. I turn around and smile when I see Spencer leaning against the doorframe. I wait for him to come over, but he just stands there, watching me. “Take a picture, it’ll last longer,” I joke, as I turn away from him.

  He chuckles and a few seconds later, I hear the click of a shutter. I spin around to see his cell aimed straight at me. I close my eyes when I’m suddenly blinded by a flash. “Jesus! Are you trying to blind me?”

  “Sorry,” he says, sliding the cell back into his jeans pocket. “I didn’t know the flash was on.”

  “I’m sure I look beautiful in that photo,” I say sarcastically.

  “I agree,” he replies, without a single hint of sarcasm.

  “Please delete it.”

  He sits down next to me. “Now why would I do that?”

  “Because I’m asking you to…and because my hair is all frizzy.”

  “I like your hair like that.”

  I blush as I try to flatten it down. “Well I guess somebody has to.”

  “I’m more than happy to be that somebody. I actually like most things about you, Cora.”

  “Most things, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  “So what things don’t you like?”

  He laughs. “Aww, come on. Don’t twist my words.”

  I cross my arms. “I’d love to know. Don’t keep me waiting.”

  He stretches his legs and crosses his ankles. “Okay then. I don’t like how you distract me. I can’t concentrate whenever you’re around. Do you know how many coffee orders I’ve gotten wrong because of you?”

  I roll my eyes. “Do you know what turns me on?”

  “Well that escalated quickly.” He smirks. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

  “Honesty. So stop trying to sweet talk me.”

  “I was being honest but if you’re not satisfied, I’m sure I can find something else that I don’t like about you.” I scowl and bump him with my shoulder. “I don’t like how you’re always thinking.”

  My eyes go wide. “Oh, wow. I’m so sorry for using my brain. They don’t come with an off switch, you do know that, right?”

  He feigns shock. “They don’t?”

  “Nope.” I lift my hair up and turn my back to him. “Go on. Take a good look.”

  A couple of seconds later, I freeze when I feel his warm breath on my neck. “Believe me, I already have.” His lips are so close now. If I were to just angle my head a little to the side…

  “You overthink things, Cora. Just go with it. Live in the moment.”

  He’s right; I do overthink things, but that’s because I need to. I need to make sure I don’t mess things up for future me, six weeks from now.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking…”

  “I want you to touch me,” I whisper.

  I feel his sharp intake of breath. “I really hope you said what I think you just said.”

  “The last time you touched me, my body reacted. I want to see if it’s going to be a regular occurrence.”

  He chuckles. “I fucking hope it’s going to be a regular occurrence.” When I don’t reply, he leans in even closer. “Where do you want me to touch you, Cora?”

  Heat pools in my stomach and I have to stop myself from saying “everywhere”.

  “Sorry to interrupt your PDA,” Adam says sarcastically. “Don’t mind me, or you know, the neighbors…”

  I let my hair fall around my shoulders as I clear my throat. “Where’s Connie?”

  “Getting a sweater. What have I missed?”

  “Not much. Spencer was just telling me all the things he hates about me.”

  Spencer sighs. “Yeah. There are so many things.”

  “Oh, cool,” Adam says. “Can I join in?”

  I raise an eyebrow at him. “Of course. Go right ahead.”

  “I hate how you obsessively plan and overthink everything.”

  Spencer’s eyes go wide. “Right? That’s what I just said.”

  “Woah, woah, woah. Hold up a minute.”

  “What’s happening?” Connie says, appearing next to me.

  “I’ll tell you what’s happening. These two seem to have a problem with me thinking. You know, that thing which we all do, and have no control over?” I look at Spencer. “No off switch, remember?”

  “Oh, is that what you were doing?” Adam asks. “I thought you were about to give her a hickey.”

  I probably would have let him.

  “Stop ganging up on my baby sister,” Connie tells them. “She’s perfect as she is.”

  “Thanks, Con.”

  “We know she is,” Adam says. “She didn’t let me finish. I was about to say that she questions everything. When I ask you important questions, you ruin my fun by needing all of the facts.”

  “Important questions? Earlier, you asked me if I would rather be a pornstar or never have sex again for the rest of my life.”

  “Which did you choose?” Spencer asks, leaning his head to one side.

  “Pornstar.”

  His eyes shoot up. “Really?”

  “Tell him your conditions,” Adam says.

  “I would marry a fellow pornstar and only have sex with him.”

  “Boringggg!” Adam says. “The monogamous pornstar.”

  “Stop asking her stupid questions,” Connie says.

  “They’re not stupid.”

  I place a hand on my hip. “Oh,
really? What about the one you asked me after that?”

  “Hey, that was a genuine question. We need to prepare for those kinds of scenarios.”

  “In case they actually happen?” He nods. “Adam…you asked if I would rather go about my normal life naked or feel like I’m constantly about to sneeze.”

  “Exactly. I ask the important questions.”

  “Are you going to make me guess which one you chose?” Spencer asks, rubbing at his temples. “Because my imagination is running away with me right now.”

  Connie sighs. “You two are gross.”

  “What do you mean?” Spencer asks, feigning innocence. “I’m imagining her sneezing over and over...”

  Adam winks at Spencer. “All I’m saying is…she hates sneezing.”

  “You’d rather be naked? Jeez, Cora, you’re killing me with these answers. Can I play with you next time?”

  I’d love for you to play with me. I hope I’m not blushing.

  “Why do your questions have to involve a pornstar or being naked?” Connie asks Adam. “You’re a creep.”

  “They don’t.” He turns to Spencer. “Would you rather be able to talk to animals or dead people?”

  “Easy,” he replies. “Animals.”

  “And would you rather be able to control minds or time?”

  “Time. These are too easy.”

  “Time? Why?” Adam asks.

  “Um, because I’m not a psychopath who wants to control other people…”

  “So you’re a psychopath who wants to control time? Have you never seen Back to the Future?”

  I try to slink off unnoticed, but Spencer ignores Adam and turns to me. “Are you going to bed?”

  I raise an eyebrow. “So what if I am?”

  “Well then I would…you know…” He smirks. “Wish you a goodnight.”

  “Just imagine if you could control minds right now…” Adam mutters under his breath, earning him a smack on the arm from Connie.

  “I’m not going to bed,” I tell him. “I need water.”

  “I’ll come with you. I’m parched.”

  Connie places a hand on his shoulder, pushing him back down. “I’ll grab you a water. You stay here and answer my boyfriend’s stupid questions.”