Page 125 of Doc Rock
The moment Mai slid into the passenger seat, her eyelids drooped, and she was asleep before Ford even climbed into the car.
The next thing she was aware of was the engine turning off and Ford opening her door.
“Come on, sleeping beauty. You need to shower and go to bed.”He leaned over, unfastened her seatbelt, and helped her out of the car.
Mai blinked sleepily and followed him without question, clinging to his arm as she stumbled along. At the front door, she stoodtherefor far too long until she recalled she needed togetthe keys out of her bag and open it.
Stepping in, she gestured to the table by the door.“I’ve got a spare key inthere. You should take it. I’ll clear out some wardrobe space when Iarrivehome from work tomorrow.”
Mai continued down to her kitchen. She needed to grab some water, shower, and then pass out.
It wasonly when she got to the sink that she realised Ford wasn’t with her any more. She turned around toseehim standing in the hall, staring at her.
“Ford? Are you okay?”Mai asked.
“You want me to move in immediately?”he murmured.
Mai stepped towards him, unsure for a moment. Maybe he hadn’t meant what he said. Maybe he didn’t want to live with her so quickly. But she was too tired to play games; she was going to tell him exactly what she wanted.
“Of course. For me, this is it. You and me. After sixteen years without you, I don’t want to spend another day apart when we can be together.”Mai tried to read his expression.
Ford blinked slowly, and she was afraid that he’d changed his mind, when a grin split his face.“Good. You’ll have to work hard togetrid of me again.”
Mai mirrored his grin.“I won’t ever try togetrid of you.”
“I’ll remind you of that when I’m being irritating,”Ford teased, wandering into her living room.
Mai nodded.“I doseeyour point. Can I add a caveat to that statement?”
“Nope.”Ford shook his head.
Another yawn caught Mai, and she put her hand up to stifle it.“Okay. Showers, then bed. I’ll grab a towel for you.”
“I’m staying tonight?”
“Of course,”she said simply and walked up the stairs with her glass of water.
Mai showered quickly, crawled into bed and was asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. Her brain fought its way back to consciousness when someone climbed into the bed next to her.
Ford gently tugged her into his arms, and she instinctively curled into the position that she had always slept in with him: her head on his chest, and his arm holding her close.
It wasthe best night’s sleep she’d had in sixteen years.
Epilogue
Mai
Mai stood in front of the mirror in the pub toilet, carefully touching up her makeup and making sure the raccoon eyeliner was to her liking.
She spoke over her shoulder to Ford.“I don’tknowwhy you insisted on following me to the ladies’ toilet.”Turning back to the mirror, she examined the eyeliner behind her glasses.
He grinned, and Mai could see his reflection.
“No one’s here yet. No one cares if I’m in the girls’ toilets.”Ford stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist, and leaned his head on her shoulder.
Mai huffed a sigh.“Youknowthat makes it really difficult to put on makeup.”
“Yup.”He kissed the side of her neck.
