Page 52 of Sorry

CHAPTER 54

ALEX

Sam was plating our breakfast, I didn’t have to go downstairs anymore as the bakery was done, and ready for Sam to work his magic when it opened. I wanted to talk to him about our living arrangement because I shouldn’t just assume I could just keep living here for free. He was kind enough to offer because I was in a shitty situation, but maybe he’d prefer to have his own space. It would hurt my soul to not wake up beside him every morning, but I understood that even if we already said we loved each other, a few months might be too fast to move in together fully.

“Our day is open to do anything we want. I am going to pick up the posters in an hour. Would you like to start making the bakery sign? We could have snacks and I can make a jug of lemonade as now we have a fridge downstairs. We can set up in the back yard?” He suggested.

“That sounds fun Pup. I am in. Can we have some of the cheese breadsticks you made last week?” I tried to do those pleading puppy eyes at him, so he’d make the breadsticks.

The grin on his face was priceless, he loved cooking and baking so much he looked for any reason to do it. Luckily I could eat for five people, so I always asked for food; not only to eat but to see that smile. I didn't really need to beg for it.

“I will make them now, before I go to pick up the posters!” he clapped his hands excitedly.

Sam made the breadsticks and the whole house smelled delicious. Dishes were washed, tables had been cleared. I waited for him to return from the store, then I remembered that we had a lot of cardboard leftover from all the appliances, that we could lay down on the concrete slabs so we didn’t ruin them. So I collected them all and set up everything we needed to paint the new sign for his bakery.

“Honey! I’m hoooome!” He greeted me, laughing in a sing-songy voice as he came out to the yard, carrying a pitcher of lemonade and a tupperware full of cheese breadsticks, “I always wanted to say that. It fits because I already call you that.”

Standing up from the ground, I gave him a hand with all the things he was carrying. I asked, “Why do you call me Honey?”

“Well, there are multiple reasons. First one is you are as sweet as honey, second is you call me by a sweet pet name, so I thought I’d match you and third you are a teddy bear and bears like honey.” he was so cute.

“HAHAHA, that actually makes sense, I love it, Pup. Look, I set everything up, are you ready? What did you have in mind?” We sat down on the cardboard beside each other, putting gloves and masks on.

“A simple name ‘Mila’s Bakery’, I want it to stand out, bright in neon colors. We can each make a sign and we can pick which one we like better, there are enough boards that even if we mess up we can try again.” Waving with his hands in the air, trying to paint his vision to me.

I removed both of our masks so I could give him a quick peck and pulled them back up again, which made him smile. “I love the name baby. It will look awesome.”

“Let’s get to it, when we are done they can dry while I go and put posters around the town.” he was already opening the cans.

“I will do that for you. I might get Jake and Matt to tag along with me, you can take a bath or call your friends.” I offered, so I could take the part of his workload off his hands.

“Awww Alex, thank you. I will take you up on that. I haven't used the bath yet since we have been showering together, which is my favourite time but I won’t lie, a soak in the tub sounds amazing too.” he said, a dreamy expression crossed his face, probably imagining that bubble bath.

“I wish the tub was bigger so we could fit together.” I resented my size because soaking in the tub with Sam, would probably be so much fun.

“We could get a jacuzzi for the yard then we could fit together in it.” That made me pause. I should just ask him.

“Sam, I wanted to talk to you about something.” he stopped painting to look at me, eyes worried.

“I know you were kind enough to invite me to stay because of my situation. I am grateful to you for that, I could never repay you. But I…”

He took his mask off in a panic and ran his gloved hands that were covered in paint, through his hair. Pink and blue streaks appeared in his hair and the sides of his face were smudged, making the two colors mix into a purplish color. “Y…You want to leave? You don’t want to live here anymore? Did I do something wrong?”

“Oh Pup, shhh. Come here. No, no, no. Far from it. I don’t ever want to be away from you. I am asking in case you were being too nice to tell me you wanted your space back.” he scooted closer, almost sitting in my lap. Both of us were now covered in paint. We looked like we had been to a neon paint rave.

“I don’t want space, I want you in my space, in my home, in my bed, in my skin where you already live. Honey I would be lost if you moved out. Please stay." He hopped on top of me, wrapping arms and legs around my torso like a little koala.

I dissolved in his hands. He wanted me. He really wanted me, for me, for who I was, for a man who eats too much and too fast. He wanted me, with all my ruined work pants and calloused hands. “Sam I will stay, of course I will stay.”

We were kissing, holding onto each other tightly. He pushed forward and we fell on top of his sign and I rolled us over, landing him on top of my spray painted one, me ending up on top of him. Our kissing quickly evolved into a playful wrestling match. Now that we had ruined the signs, I picked up some of the pink paint and smeared it on his nose.

“Oh no, you didn’t just do that!” he wriggled under me, and reached for neon blue paint and smudged it on my cheek. We were a complete mess but happy, laughing. Two adults acting like teenagers in love. It was the best feeling.

“Well… I may start making a new sign, you should clean up and go out with Matt and Jake to put up the posters before it gets dark.” He said, a grin still plastered on his face.

“Okay Pup, I’m going. I’m sorry we fucked up the signs.” I apologized, even though I knew there was enough material to make more.

“Don’t be, that was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Pour the cold lemonade into three bottles for the whole Crew. You will need it while you are out and about in this heat.” Genuine happiness radiated from him.