“Take a seat,” Tom said, gesturing toward the couch before turning away. Agnes watched him head to the wardrobe, curiosity flickering in her eyes. She settled onto the couch by the window, picking up his well-worn philosophy book and flipping through it idly.
“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound; people are the same-the emptier the mind, the more talkative they are,” she read aloud, pausing to let the words sink in.
The sound of running water broke her reverie. She glanced up to see Tom stepping out of the bathroom, a towel slung over his shoulder. He walked over, plucked the book from her hands, and without warning, scooped her up in a princess carry. Agnes let out a soft gasp, her arms instinctively looping around his neck. She couldn’t help but steal another look at him-his sharp features, the calm confidence in his eyes.
“I’ve got your clothes ready and started your bath. Go freshen up,” he said, his voice soft but firm as he carried her toward the bathroom. Agnes felt a warmth spread through her chest. “Is this how Professor Fritz treats his girlfriend?” she teased.
“This is just the beginning,” he replied, his tone steady but with a hint of amusement. “You’ll see what it’s like to be Professor Fritz’s wife.”
Her cheeks flushed as he set her down in the bathroom. She lingered in his arms, reluctant to let go. “Guess how much I weigh?” she asked, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Ninety pounds,” he answered without hesitation, his gaze meeting hers.
She blinked, surprised. “How did you know?”
“Lucky guess,” he said with a shrug.
She narrowed her eyes, skeptical. “Really? That accurate?”
He chuckled, setting her down gently by the bathtub. “You can always trust a chemistry professor when it comes to estimations. Especially weight.”
Agnes tilted her head, studying him. How much did she really know about this man? There was so much more to him than she’d realized-or maybe she didn’t know him at all. But one thing was certain: he was someone worth knowing.
“Take your time,” he said, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat. “I’ll be outside. Don’t slip.” With that, he left, closing the door behind him.
Twenty minutes later, Agnes stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and her skin glowing. She found Tom on the couch, his laptop balanced on his knees, fingers flying across the keyboard. The intensity of his focus was magnetic.
She tiptoed toward him, not wanting to interrupt but unable to resist getting closer.
“All done?” he asked, his eyes still on the screen. He stopped typing and reached out a hand toward her.
She took it, her fingers curling into his palm. “Are you still working tonight?”
“Just finished an email,” he said, closing the laptop and setting it aside. He reached up to touch her hair. “Did you dry it yourself?”
She nodded, settling beside him and wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned into his chest, her voice soft. “Kitten, it all feels like a dream.”
He tilted her chin up, his brow furrowing slightly. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern. “Are you upset because I wasn’t with you today?”