Free Growing Love (Brookfield) by Lacey Wolfe

playfully smacked her.
    “Are you sure about that?”
    “Yes, I’m sure.”
    “See ya. Call me if you need me.” Alyssa hugged her again and headed for the front door.
    A moment later, Diane stood there alone with just Matt. It was awkward. What to say? What to do?
    “Crap.” He broke the silence. “My ice cream.”
    She joined him in the living room and watch ed the TV as Matt quickly ate up the gloppy cream.
    * * *
    Diane woke after the best night of sleep she’d had in months. Rolling over, she snuggled her face into the pillow and inhaled Matt’s intoxicating scent. Last night she hadn’t woken once. And she felt amazing, ready to take on the world. But now she had to wonder, why did she feel this way? Was it his bed? Was it being back here with Matt?
    She didn’t have time to dwell on it. Now that she was up, her bladder demanded release. Tossing the plus h comforter back, she climbed out of bed and hurried across the oak floors to the bathroom. A moment later, she emerged ready to begin the day.
    In the kitchen she rummaged through the pantry until she came across some cereal. She opened a nd closed a few cabinets and finally found the dishes. After her cereal was poured in the bowl and milk added, she walked over to the small table she assumed was the dining room table.
    Matt groaned from the living area.
    “How’d you sleep?” she asked.
    “Horrible. Leather couches are not made to sleep on.”
    It probably wasn’t a good time to tell him she’d slept great.
    Matt stumbled into the dining area and sat. Mornings were good to him. He had a face full of sexy stubble and his hair stuck up in every direction. “Coffee?”
    “Don’t drink it anymore.” She pointed at her belly.
    “God, you must’ve been a nightmare when you first gave that up. You were a pot-a-morning kinda gal.”
    “It wasn’t easy. But usually I have a cup of hot tea now. ” She took a bite of the cereal.
    “I don’t have any.” He rubbed his chin. “We should go grocery shopping today. I need more fruits and veggies in here for you.”
    She smiled at that, touched by his mentioning something they should do together.
    “I’m gonna make coffee.” He stood and went into the kitchen.
    She continued eating her cereal until her phone rang from her bedroom. Matt hollered he’d get it and as he walked back with the now-quiet phone, he handed it to her.
    “It was Tom. I didn’t get it in time.” He left with a look back.
    She should’ve told him then that Tom and she weren’t together. The disappointed look on his face caused a pang of guilt in her belly. But now that she’d kept the secret so long, she was having a hard time forming the words.
    The sound of water running echoed through the qui et apartment. He must be getting in the shower. Pushing her bowl away, she called Tom back.
    “Hey,” he answered.
    “Hi. Sorry I didn’t get to the phone.”
    “Don’t apologize. How is it going?”
    “I slept wonderful last night.”
    “Good. Your bed will be there mid-week. So only a few more days.”
    Sleeping in Matt’s bed a few more nights sounded just fine to her. “Great. Will you be coming with the bed?”
    “Oh yeah, me in a truck with some hot delivery men. Sounds like a fantasy to me.”
    “Don’t get too carried away.” She set the spoon down.
    “But now, I won’t be coming. Sorry. I think I’ll stay away for a bit and give you and Matt time to mend. I’m sure he doesn’t want me around. But we’ll talk.”
    “Good. I couldn’t handle if you weren’t calling me.”
    “Don’t worry ; you’ll still be my last call before bed.”
    She sighed. The day Tom moved on and met someone new, she was going be jealous. Right now she was his world and she loved it—even though it was selfish. “So tell me, have you met anyone since I’ve been gone and you’ve had all this free time?”
    * * *
    Matt pulled up his jeans then tugged on a clean T-shirt. Diane’s laughter echoed through the apartment.
    He