11 - Surprise!

The next morning, she woke at 10:00, to find Wolf still there, his arms around her. She wriggled and stretched. “You stayed this time,” she yawned.

“That I did.” With finality as though he had been watching and waiting for her to wake, he slid out and left the door open on his way to the kitchen. Sunlight filtered in through the door, the window being closed, the curtains tightly shut.

She stretched luxuriously several times, and remained, half awake, unwilling to move. She only dragged herself out when Wolf called her to get out for her coffee.

“Is it a little late?” she wondered, fingers once again around the mug, begging for warmth.

“Nah,” he shrugged verbally, pausing intent work on his phone. “We’re superior after all. We make nature work for us.”

He never questioned, only asserted. It had helped her gain confidence in her own life, she had told herself. Perhaps she was right.

She sipped the hot stuff gently, to find creamer had already made its way in. Man, he must have been feeling extra generous today.

Texting war over, he slapped the phone down on the island with finality. “Your bagel’s waiting,” he announced, and suddenly turned and dramatically slouched into the next room.

She found and buttered it herself, and sat at the table, waiting. A few minutes and sips elapsed, when she called, “You coming? You know I didn’t get to see you at the party.”

“I’ll be there,” came the voice from the living room.

She knew he made her his priority, so she sat, one more sip and one ravenous bite of blueberry and he came. “Guess what?” he said, grinning, as he slid into the seat opposite hers. “I saw you were alone last night, so I’m taking you out.”

Fran nearly dropped her mug. “What!! Where??” she gasped.

His grin widened. “Think—it’s got everything.”

“Downtown Mall?” she squealed.

“Yup!!” he crowed. “Let’s check out that little perfume shop, see if it’s got anything new.”

Cheering inside, she finished her bagel quickly (he had already eaten) and rushed to her room to get ready.

He called from the other room, “Just don’t forget your pill. It was one of those nights.”

“Oh, right.” She took it first, then changed into her ruffled wine-red outfit again, then rushing to the attached bathroom to apply her mascara.

This time, he leaned casually against the door frame patiently, watching her closely. “Very lovely,” he said as she emerged. “Come on!”