Last night Andrew came over and we all had a self care night. We watched movies, did face masks and ate way too many snacks. I told them everything that happened, and explained my text to Cody. It was great.

Today, I'm going to the gym to start out the day and then going to work. I needed to pick up a last minute shift today.

When I get to the gym, I start out with a mile run and then move onto machines. I concentrate on my legs, needing to build the riding muscles back up.

The gym goes fast. I quickly shower and change into my uniform, running off to my car after shooting the workers a goodbye.

"Leah, glad to have you back" Sydney nods, smiling when I walk in.

"I wish I could say the same but I'm gonna be honest, Italy is a lot nicer than Santa Rosa" I laugh.

"Fair enough. Well, we missed you. Your regulars were asking for you. They'll be happy to see you back" She smiles, walking into her office.

Christine walks in shortly after, a smile appearing when she recognizes me.

"You're back. How was the trip?" She gushes, clapping.

"It was amazing. Completely caught me by surprise, you have no idea" She laughs, nodding.

"I know, not many people know their secret. It's crazy. I bet it was beautiful" She smiles.

"It was, but what can I get you?" I ask.

"Oh, an iced caramel macchiato and a black coffee" She orders, I raise my eyebrows.

"Richie is meeting me here. I told him I would get his coffee for him.

"Ohh, are you guys getting serious?" I raise my eyebrows, winking.

"I wanted to but we're going away to separate schools in a little over a month" Her smiles falters a little, showing me that Richie's the one who doesn't want to try distance.

"I'm sorry, Chris" I hand her the coffees.

"It's okay" She smiles as Richie comes through the door, a smile on his face.

"Hey Chris, Leah. How are you two?" He wraps an arm around her.

"I'm good. You two go, have fun" I smile, mixing a drink and placing it down, calling the name on the cup.

Work goes on per usual, the regulars come in and leave me an extra tip as a welcome home gift. I thank them and make their drinks.

By the time dinner comes around I'm exhausted, and want nothing more but to cuddle up and watch a movie.

I drive home, walking into my place to greet Bella.

I quickly shower, throwing my hair into a bun and making some pasta for dinner.

Bella jumps at my leg, running around the apartment in search of Mason.

"He's not here Belle" I smile, picking her up and propping her on my hip.

I finish making my pasta, putting The Vampire Diaries on the TV.

Once the episode is done and so is my food, I wash the dishes and head into my room, cleaning a little before I relax.

I can't help but doze off as soon as my head touches the pillow, still slightly alert.

The door opens and I pay no mind to it, until a dip in my bed is felt and a heavy arm is rested over my hip.

I roll over, putting my head further into his chest, taking in the smell of his aftershave.

"Hi, baby" He chuckles, rubbing my arm.

"Hi. Did you shower?" I question, feeling really comfortable.

"I did. I had practice so I showered after and came right over" He kisses the top of my head.

I shift closer to him, running my hand up and down his back, feeling his muscles tense.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"Mhm" I crack my eye open, looking up at him.

"Are you sure?" He runs his hand through my hair.

"Yeah babe, why?" I pull away.

"No, come back. I was just making sure you're okay" He pulls me back into his chest.

I smile, pushing my hair away from my face so I can talk.

"I'm perfect actually. This is exactly what I wanted while I was at work, but didn't think I was getting it tonight.

"What do you mean?" He asks, shifting as I attempt to pull my comforter over him.

"I really wanted nothing more than to lay here with you, but I hadn't heard from you so I figured you were busy" I move, letting him get completely under the comforter.

"I was going to call but thought you might like a surprise better" He kisses my neck, lovingly.

"Mm, thats very true" I smile, playing with the strings of his bracelet.

"Are you tired?" He brushes a few strands of hair off my face.

"Very. But I could stay awake for some time, talk a little" I yawn.

"How was practice?" I look up at him, pulling the blanket further up.

"It was good. Exhausting. Coach ran us like crazy. It was all conditioning with a few drills thrown in. I hate practices like that" He laughs, running his hand through his damp hair.

"Aw, I'm sorry babe. At least you got a good workout in" I frown.

"That, I did. It was really good actually. I just wish we had done more ab stuff" He chuckles.

"Like you need it. You already have a twelve pack" I laugh, patting his abdomen.

"Oh shush, you love it" He shakes his head, amusement laced in his voice.

"I never said I didn't" I wink, smiling.

"Are you working again tomorrow?" Mason asks, scrolling through the selection of movies.

"Yeah, I'm opening and closing tomorrow" I sigh, causing a whine to leave Masons mouth.

"Whyy? I wanted to do something. That's way too long" Mason slips his hands underneath his oversized t-shirt I'm wearing. It's at this time I realized I'm wearing nothing but a t-shirt and my undergarments.

"After? I'll treat you to dinner" I suggest.

"No, come over after work and I'll cook something. It's been a while and I need to practice my chef skills" He smiles.

"Okay, I will. Are you staying over?" I question, getting up and laying out my uniform.

"If you would like me to" He props himself up on his elbows.

I grab out some of his clothes and toss them over to him, slipping a pair of shorts on as well.

"Thank you" He kisses my cheek and goes to the bathroom.

I turn off the lights and crawl back into my bed, turing on my side light. I make sure Mason has enough pillows and room and lay down.

A couple minutes later Mason comes in, sweatpants hanging low on his torso and no shirt on, showing off his extremely defined muscles.

"What are you staring at?" He laughs, jumping into the bed.

"You" I answer simply.

"You're so cute" He laughs, leaving small kisses all over my face.

"Go to sleep Mr. White" I laugh, wrapping my arms around him.

He laughs, pulling me so I'm almost on top of him. He pulls the covers over us more and leaves a kiss on the top of my head.

"Goodnight Le, I love you"

"Goodnight Mason. I love you" I smile, slipping into a deep sleep.

I wake up to my alarm, quickly turning it off so it doesn't wake Mason.

I slip out of his arms, carefully and grab my stuff, going into the bathroom.

Once I'm all ready for work, I quickly leave a note for Mason and feed Bella, heading out the door.

I drink down my smoothie as fast as possible, knowing I won't be having anything for close to 12 hours today.

When I get to Starbucks, I rush in, clocking in and quickly put all the food in the glass and the fridge. Cleaning everything and opening the doors right on time.

"Good morning" I smile, welcoming everyone.

"Leah, you're here early" Ted, a regular smiles. I usually see him later in the day.

"Yeah, needed to pick up a longer shift. Need to pay those bills. What can I get for you? The usual?" I smile.

"Yes please. Bills? What bills? Aren't you only 18?" He asks, a confused look on his face.

"Yes, I live on my own and pay for my own car, horse and dog" I hand him his coffees. One for him, another for his wife.

"Thank you so much. Really? Wow, God bless. Good luck" He hands me a ten dollar bill.

"Thank you so much, it really means a lot. Tell Linda I say hello" I stick the money in my apron, making the next order.

"Of course, will do. Have a good day" He waves, walking out.

The first few hours fly by. The mornings are so busy, it knocks me out. Soon, someone joins me and it's not nearly as tiring or stressful.

Mason walks through the doors, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Why didn't you wake me this morning before you left?" He asks, leaning over the counter.

"A little busy here Mas" I laugh, placing a drink down and calling the name on it.

"I don't care. You can still answer. Why didn't you wake me? I wanted to see you" He frowns.

"I didn't wake you because you needed your sleep. Order for Tim. You had a long, tiring practice yesterday. You deserved to have a nice sleep" I explain, stopping in the middle to call a name.

"You gotta stop caring so much" He shakes his head.

"You wouldn't like that very much, and neither would I. Therefore, never gonna happen. Sorry, love" I laugh, mixing up a refresher with some lemonade.

I slide a black coffee over to Mason, giving my coworker money to put in the register for the drink.

"Leah, no. I can pay" Mason sighs.

"Too late" I stick my tongue out at him.

"You're so frustrating sometimes" He laughs, checking his phone.

"Brooks is blowing me up, I gotta go. I'm sorry. Practice starts in an hour and we're going early to have a catch. Don't forget, I'm making dinner. I love you" He leans over, kissing me cheek.

"Okay, have fun. Drive safe please. I could never forget. I love you too" I smile, getting back to work.

The rest of work flies by like usual. It really helps having someone taking the orders while I make the drinks.

Once everyone is gone I clean everything up, putting the food back into the fridge so it doesn't go bad. I switch the lights off, clocking out and locking up.

Once all locked up, I drive home, placing food down for Bella and jumping in the shower.

I quickly get ready, not wanting to be late or hold Mason up. I play with Bella a little before, telling Cody I'll be heading out and if he could keep an eye out for Belle.

After I send a text to Mason, I'm off to his house.

"Mas, I'm here" I knock on the door, walking in.

"I'm in the kitchen" He yells out; a wonderful smell encasing my senses.

"It smells great" I smile, kissing his cheek.

"Hopefully it tastes as good as it smells" He laughs. "How was work?"

"It was okay. Not the worst but long. I'm starving too" I smile, grabbing a water from the fridge.

"That's good. Dinner should be done shortly" He smiles, placing something in the oven, pouring some pasta into the pot.

"Can I help you with anything?" I ask.

"Nope, it's your turn to relax and let someone take care of you for once" He ruffles my hair.

"Fine. Where is everyone? Your car is the only car in the driveway and it's oddly quiet in the house" I place my cup down.

"Ellie is out with Brooks. Mom and dad are at a date night thing their friend hosts once a month" Mason chuckles.

"Aw, thats cute. Such a good idea. Do they play like games and such?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"No clue. I don't ask questions" He looks at me like I'm crazy for thinking he would know. I guess I'll just have to ask them myself.

Soon dinner is ready. Chicken parm and some pasta. A nice Italian dinner.

"Thank you so much" I smile, sitting at the table.

"Of course babe. I hope it's good" He kisses my cheek, sitting next to me.

We eat, making small talk. The food is delicious, Mason really is a good cook.

Once we finish eating we head outside, deciding on a fire.

Mason quickly lights the fire, illuminating the backyard. I warm up quickly, not holding back the smile on my face. 

I love campfires. All my childhood memories come back when I see one. 

"Someones happy" Mason chuckles, pulling me to his chest.

"Every time I went to Luke and Gracies' house we would make a fire. Roast marshmallows, occasionally get the smores, if we behaved" I explain. 

"That's cute" He pushes my hair behind my ear, staring at me.

I give him a soft smile, placing a gentle kiss on his lips, a thank you.

Question: Any predictions or expectations for what this book will bring? 

Answer: Let me hear them! If I get enough I'll decrease the goal a bit. Don't hold back!!

19 votes and 200 comments

Word count: 2297

~Leah