Love, Utley - Page 176

My eyes move to the four large black square frames mounted on the wall that I swear weren’t there before.

Inside each frame is a black and white photograph.

I move to them, and that feeling of tenderness tightens around my throat.

It’s the HOP University campus.

A photo of the quad. Where I first saw Maddox.

A photo of the economics building. Where I ran into Maddox.

A photo of the football stadium. Where I watched my first game.

A photo of the library. Where we shared our first everything.

I press my hand to my chest.

“When?” I ask the question to the empty room.

This man…

I hurry out of the room, needing to be near him.

When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I release the banister and eye the fresh flowers displayed on the small antique table.

Has that little table always been there?

What is happening in this house?

I hear movement as I near the kitchen and find Maddox closing the fridge.

“Hey, when did you…” I trail off.

On the island, next to another bouquet of flowers, is the yellow mug from the office. The one I used on Friday.

Then I step closer.

It’s not the same one. The yellow glaze is slightly darker.

Pinpricks dance across my ribs. “Where did you get this?”

When Maddox doesn’t answer, I glance up to see him sipping out of an identical mug, only his is blue.

“Ordered them online,” he answers, then dips his head to the mug on the counter. “I made it decaf, but I can make you some regular coffee if you’d like.”

I stare at the mug. Then I stare up at him.

“Maddox, what is —”

The doorbell rings.

Maddox smiles at me as he sets his coffee mug down next to mine. “I’ll get that.”

He presses a kiss to my forehead, then walks past me to answer the door.

I look back at the mugs. Then to the flowers.

With my heart thudding, I move around the island and pull open the cupboard where he keeps his dishes.