Over Before She Loved Me novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Is It Mine

Joelle woke to sunlight and the smell of coffee.

Her stomach rolled before her eyes opened.

She put her hand over her mouth and lay still until it passed.

The sheets on his side were empty and still warm.

He had let Barrett's call ring out last night.

He had pulled her back against his chest and said, "Tomorrow," and she had been too happy to argue.

She had meant to tell him.

She would tell him this morning, before anything else.

She pulled on his shirt and went down the stairs holding the rail.

Dustin stood at the kitchen counter in yesterday's trousers and no shirt, pouring a mug.

He turned and smiled at her.

It was a small smile, and it undid her.

"Good morning."

"I made you tea instead." He nodded at the mug on the island. "You haven't touched my coffee in a week. I finally figured out you hate it."

She laughed, and it came out wet.

"I do hate it."

"Why didn't you say so?"

"I never said anything."

"No," he said, and crossed the kitchen and kissed her forehead. "That was our problem."

She slid her arms around his waist and pressed her face to his chest.

"Dustin, I have to tell you something."

"Tell me."

The front door opened.

Nobody had rung the bell.

Joelle froze, and Dustin's arms tightened.

Footsteps came down the hall.

Barrett appeared in the kitchen doorway, in a crisp suit with a cardboard tray of coffees in one hand.

Behind him came Dolores in her camel coat.

"Good morning," Barrett said. "Hope I'm not interrupting."

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