Zion balanced on leg on the stool, his legs relaxed, his hands crossed together in his lap. He smiled, his dark brown hair smoothed back, his brown beard neatly trimmed.
His full, muscular frame filled the space around him and looked like a giant teddy bear. A very lovable, cuddly type that gave the best hugs.
I should know. I’d had a bunch of them before.
“You ready? Smile big.” I said from behind the camera and just as it snapped the photo, Zion said, “I came back to town for you, Renata. I’ve been in love with you for years now. I love you. And I want to be together.”
CHAPTER TWO
Zion
There I said it.
Finally.
Those three words I’d been wanting to say for years.
I love you.
I’ve loved her for as long as I could remember. From the time when I knew what love was, hell probably before that.
Moving away changed nothing. I thought it would. It wasn’t the only reason I moved, wanting to learn a trade and settle into a lucrative career, but it was a big part of the reason.
Yet I still loved her. No matter what I did, what I changed, who I tried to be.
I loved my little sister’s best friend, Renata Shaffer. And I was tired of hiding it.
Applying for the job here, sure I knew what I was doing. I knew I’d see her. I knew I’d have to face it. But this time, I was ready. The first hurdle- making sure my sister, April, was cool with it.
“What do you mean you’re in love with her?” April’s eyes widened and she sat back in her chair while crossing her arms.
I came over for coffee this morning, our second visit since I’d arrived in town. I hadn’t found a place to rent yet, but I scored the rentals daily hoping something would pop up.
“Renata?MyRenata?” She clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth.
“Yes, your Renata. Can you blame me?”
“I mean, no. Yes.No. Yes.Ugh, what the fuck Z? It better not get awkward or I’ll hurt you.” Her eyebrows knitted together, and she pierced me with her gaze. “You’re supposed to look out for us.”
“I know and I will. Don’t you trust me more than some rando?”
April nodded. “But if you hurt her, I’ll never forgive you for it.”
“I get it, sis. I wouldn’t.”
“How do you even know she likes you?” One eyebrow raised, her snotty judgy look coming out in all its wonderful glory. The very one I’d seen since we were kids.
“I don’t, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“You won’t get hurt?”
“Of course. But I can’t be mad at her for that. What can I do if she genuinely doesn’t like me?”
“I care a lot about you both. Be careful, okay?”
“I will sis.”
Knowing Renata would be working her holiday gig as usual, I booked her soonest open spot and here I was, hoping to make some holiday memories with her.
