Waking Up With You Read Online Free Page B

Waking Up With You
Book: Waking Up With You Read Online Free
Author: Sofie Hartwell
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didn’t know you could cook,” I comment with astonishment.
    “Just the basics. It’s not like I attended Le Cordon Bleu.”
    “True, but I wouldn’t have thought you the type. A regular guy wouldn’t even know about Le Cordon Bleu.”
    He grins and says, “I’m a man of surprises. That should keep you on your toes.”
    “Huh!” I exclaim laughingly, though somewhat relishing the idea of uncovering more of his secrets.
    I assemble the pasta, white sauce, and roasted vegetables in a big bowl. He gets the plates and silverware from a side cabinet and sets the table for two. We sit down for our first official meal as husband and wife.
    “You’re full of surprises yourself, Em. I thought you would like the idea of a romantic dinner at a fabulous restaurant. Instead, you chose this,” he points to the table.
    “Maybe romantic is not the right word to use. Uhm, to be honest, I was nervous at the idea of going somewhere fancy with you as your …you know,” my sentence tails off.
    “As my…?” he inquires teasingly.
    “Wife!” I slap his arm.
    “Why do you have to make such a big deal out of this? I’ve known you since you were born. Your brother was my best friend. You guys were my family. Still are. End of story,” he says with a loud exhale. “I really don’t want to have to go through this again and again.”
    “Okay, Jake. I’m never bringing it up again. But, just so we’re clear, it doesn’t matter what you say… this means a lot to me. This,” I say, as I look around the room, “means the world to me. “ I stand up slightly and am about to give him a peck on the cheek, but he turns and our lips touch. I flush and immediately sit down, pretending to put some florets on my fork with my unsteady hand. He looks at me enigmatically and does not say a word.
    After an interminable silence, he says in a soft voice, “I don’t want or need your gratitude, Emma. It will make me happy, however, just to see you feeling at home and being comfortable. I don’t see why marriage should change us in any way. Be yourself. Stop tiptoeing around me and… I don’t know…” He moves his hands expansively. “Things will happen accidentally, and you don’t have to fixate on them. You don’t have to attach meaning to every little thing that happens.”
    He lifts my face, his palm beneath my chin. “Emma, can’t we just be cool and keep things simple?”
    I gesture with my head affirmatively, embarrassed that I’m again overreacting to the minutest details. “I’m sorry.” I m ust stop acting like an idiot.
    “And stop apologizing. The day has been stressful for you. I get it. You just moved into your new home. It’s a period of adjustment,” he responds with grace.
    I smile, grateful that he doesn’t want to pursue the topic.
    “This pasta is really good. Not the usual heavy cream base. You’re a terrific cook.”
    “Thanks.” After a couple of minutes, I clear my throat and ask, “I’m not sure if you know, but I missed many classes last spring, so I had no choice but to withdraw from my subjects. The next sem starts in two weeks. I know you don’t want me working at your office, but perhaps there’s some project I can help you with?” I finish awkwardly. “I can work on it at home, if you’d like.”
    He’s immersed in thought for some time. “Well, most of our work is CAD-based, and you’re not trained for that,” he finally replies.
    “Filing?”
    “The admin assistants do a great job.”
    “Mailing?”
    “Emma,” he admonishes. “What am I going to do with you?!”
    “I want to keep busy. Two weeks of doing nothing will bore me to tears.”
    “And social media doesn’t keep you busy enough?” he asks good-humoredly.
    “You may not believe it, but I check my emails only once… okay, twice a day. I’m not on Twitter. My Facebook account has been inactive for months. I don’t even follow a lot of people.”
    “Not your typical teenager, are you,” he says
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