Free Thursday (Timeless Series #4) by E. L. Todd Page A

nude,” he said. “So, you’re getting an upgrade.” He lay in my bed then closed his eyes like he couldn’t keep them open for a moment longer.
    I got on my side of the bed then set an alarm. My legs touched his under the sheets but that was all the affection we shared. The TV from the living room reached my ears and I could hear it distantly playing. Axel and Francesca didn’t speak at all, which made me sad. Axel was pretty much alone because Francesca was a warm body beside him.
    “I’m sorry I drank too much…”
    “It’s okay.”
    “Next time, I’ll be totally sober.”
    “But will you be as much fun?” I teased.
    He chuckled. “Probably not. But I’ll kiss you goodnight.”
    “Alright. We’ll see.” I closed my eyes and felt my body drift away.
    Cade turned over and spooned me from behind. “This is okay, right?”
    “You aren’t quite as good as my teddy bear but I’ll take it.”
    He chuckled into my ear. “Then I’ll keep practicing.”

Beach Day
    Axel
    I carried the groceries into the house and stored them in the cabinets and the refrigerator. Francesca didn’t eat much, only when I threatened to break her neck when she refused, but most of the food was for Marie and I since we ate like normal people.
    I bought the things that Francesca loved to eat, including lots of baking ingredients. She never seemed happier unless she was making a new creation. Maybe having these things lying around would inspire her to get back into the kitchen.
    The front door opened and Marie walked inside. Her bag was over her shoulder, and she wore skin-tight jeans with brown-heeled boots. She wore a white cardigan, looking like a winter snowflake.
    Anytime she walked into the room my eyes roamed over her figure. I’ve had her once before but now it seemed like a lifetime ago. And she seemed like a different person—in my eyes. Whenever she was near me I could feel the static in the air, like our presence in each other’s space manipulated the world around us. When I moved, she registered it. And when she took a step I was completely aware of it.
    She set her bag down. “Hey. Got some good stuff?”
    “Stuff that Francesca won’t eat.” I put the milk in the refrigerator then grabbed a carton of almond creamer. “I got vanilla flavor. Is that okay?” I spotted the empty carton before I left the store. I knew Francesca wouldn’t be caught dead drinking almond milk so it had to be Marie’s.
    Marie had grabbed the mail off the table and started to sort through it. “What?”
    I held up the carton.
    She eyed it in my hand for nearly five seconds before she processed what I was asking. “How did you know I drank that…?”
    “I saw the empty carton in the fridge.”
    She continued to stare at me blankly.
    Since she wasn’t going to say anything I set the carton on the shelf.
    “Thank you…that was sweet of you.”
    I shrugged and continued to unpack the groceries. “I got you some coffee too. I noticed you were low.”
    She tossed the mail on the table and came to my side. She grabbed the bag of coffee from my hands. “It’s whole bean.”
    “Isn’t that what you like?” I wasn’t usually here in the mornings but I noticed the grinder on the counter. Francesca drank coffee but she wasn’t picky about it. I assumed it belonged to Marie.
    “How did you know that?”
    I shrugged again. “I just deduced it.” I set the beans on the counter.
    Marie stared at me for a few more seconds before she helped me unload the groceries. Quietly, we worked together and placed everything where it belonged. Her arm brushed against mine when she passed and I got a draft of her scent. “You’re a sweet brother.”
    “And friend, I hope.” The words left my mouth without being considered. They just flew out like word vomit. I set the bag of chips in the cabinet before I met her gaze.
    She nodded. “Yes. A good friend.”
    When I stared at her like that I felt the tension deep in my gut. Being this close