“It’s okay. You want me to move in. You shouldn’t have to hide that from me.”
Xander cracked one eye open. “Maybe not, but you made it clear you’re not ready to make that decision. I’m sorry if I came across as pushy.”
“You were making a joke. I can take a joke.”
“I’m still sorry.”
“I know. But you don’t need to be. Close your eyes.”
He obeyed.
I picked up two cotton rounds I’d already run under warm water in the bathroom and gently took the cleansing oil off his skin. Judging by the dirt I got off his skin, the facial had come not a moment too soon.
“Next, I’m going to cleanse your skin.”
“Didn’t you just do that?”
“That was cleansing oil. This is an ultra-hydrating cleanser.”
“I’m so lost.”
“And that’s why I love you. You’re my gorgeous, handsome, clueless boyfriend.”
Xander’s eyes popped open. “Come again?”
“You’re my gorgeous, handsome, clueless boyfriend.”
He rolled his hand. “Not that bit. What you said before that.”
I replayed what I’d said in my mind and gasped as three distinct words popped into my memory.
“Maybe I misheard,” Xander said, closing his eyes again.
He was letting me off the hook. The question was, did I want to be let off it? While mulling that over, I used my fingers to massage the cleansing lotion into his skin. Considering he’d been using soap to wash his face his whole life, his skin felt okay. It wasn’t too dry but wasn’t as soft as I knew it could be. I stared at his face. Aside from the gentle smile on his lips, it almost looked like he was asleep. It showed how much he trusted me. Knowing that made my heart beat faster. It also made me feel oddly confident, like having him on my team meant I could take on the world one open-call casting at a time.
“I said I love you.”
“That’s what I thought you said.”
“Too soon?” I wiped the cleanser away, using two clean, damp cotton rounds.
“No. It took us too long to realise we were meant for each other.”
“It didn’t help that you moved away.” I’d meant it as a joke but realised it was in bad taste when the words left my lips. It was too late. I couldn’t take them back.
“I know.” He opened his eyes, caught hold of my hand, and pressed it to his lips so he could kiss it. “Do you think we might have got together sooner if I’d stayed?”
“I don’t know.” I cupped his slightly damp cheek. “I think we needed to change and grow before finding our way to each other. Besides, I left too. I went to uni.”
“True.” Xander motioned to his face. “Are we done?”
“Oh no, I’m just getting started.”
He gaped at me. “What else do you have to do?”
“In an ideal world, I’d steam your face next, but my steamer was too big to bring on the train.”
“Steamer? I’m not broccoli!”
