Page 131 of Only Ever You

“Did you really still watch anime even after…” She pauses, then looks up, eyes locked on mine. “Even after we stopped talking?”

I nod. “I always thought anime was fun, but you made me fall in love with it. Watching it with you, talking with you about the episodes, about new seasons, were some of my favorite things to do.”

“So this one means something to you?”

“Most of them do.”

“Most of them?”

“Well, some ink is here simply because I thought it looked cool.”

She snorts. “Gotta love your honesty.”

A low growl rolling through her stomach makes us both freeze. She curls forward and hides her face in my neck.

“You heard nothing,” she rumbles, her voice reverberating through me.

“Isla.”

“Michael.”

“I think that’s my cue.” I turn, flipping her onto her back. Her hair spills over the pillow, her cheeks flushed. She’s so beautiful. I could look at her all day, and it wouldn’t be enough.

“Cue for what?” she whispers.

I press my lips to her forehead and then push myself up. “For breakfast.” I snag my sweatpants from the floor and put them on. “Stay here. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

I collect all the supplies I need for scrambled eggs and avocado toast. While I’m mashing an avocado into a bowl, the door to her room opens, and she steps out, wearing tiny shorts and an oversized white tee. Her eyes meet mine as she makes her way to the kitchen counter.

“Nope,” I say before she even opens her mouth.

“I haven’t said anything.”

“You were about to offer help.”

She drags her teeth over her bottom lip. “Maybe.”

“The answer is no.” I wink at her. “Go sit. I’m almost done.”

I pluck the toast from the toaster and spread the avocado on top. “You still put chili flakes on yours?”

“You remember that?” she asks in a breathy whisper.

Head lifted, I smile at her. “Of course. I remember everything about you.”

“Yeah, chili flakes would be great.” She nods.

I’m adding a squeeze of lemon juice when she makes a beeline for the coffee pot. I sigh.

As she passes, I catch her and throw her over my shoulder, then smack her ass lightly.

A squeal escapes her. “Michael!”

“I asked you to sit down.” I lower her to the bar stool and hover over her.

She looks like a ruffled bird with her lips pushed out in a pout. Adorable.

“I can help.”