Forrest

“Thank God he understands how this is. But why does he have to be so nice? Forrest Taylor, you are killing me.”

Taking my first sip of coffee, it’s like liquid gold sliding down my throat.

Smiling to myself, I grab my phone. I take a picture of the coffee cup in my hand and the burrito moved out of the picture frame, just the two Tylenol left on the plate. I attach the caption to the picture: “Thank you, but don’t flatter yourself. No pain relief needed.”

Hitting the send button on the text message to him, I start to giggle as I pick up the pills and wash them down with my coffee. I one hundred percent need them, but he doesn’t need to know that.

* * *

The real world has a habit of getting in the way of the little bubble we thought we could live inside in Forrest’s apartment. Whereas he had an early meeting this morning, I was stuck in a late-night one with Felisha when an overseas negotiation for a new hotel was going pear-shaped, and we were not about to let that happen.

So, by the time I get home, Forrest is in a Zoom meeting, and I don’t want to interrupt, so I just give him a wave and head to my room to crash. Walking down the hallway, I suddenly remember that I have to find some fresh sheets but decide to dump my bag and take off my shoes first, then I will start opening cupboards until I find some.

The moment I enter my room, I see the bed is freshly made and my pajamas are folded neatly on my pillow, and when I lift them to my nose, they smell freshly laundered.

Why can’t I find a way past my insecurities to be with a man, because he could be so easy to fall for.

After getting no sleep last night and today being a very long day, I can’t keep my eyes open and figure I’ll just catch up with Forrest in the morning. I think between his note this morning and the laughing emoji I got in reply to the text message I sent him that we are okay, and I don’t need to be too worried about having a big deep and meaningful talk tonight. He’s busy, and I need sleep.

* * *

Waking the next morning to my alarm, I feel rested and calm which seems to be becoming a new normal for me. Must be the bed, because I feel like I sleep better here than even in my super-expensive bed in my apartment. I might have to buy it off Forrest when I eventually move back home.