A rumble of laughter escapes him as he leans back and stretches his legs out. “Before my brother adopted me, I lived in foster homes, and believe me, money was something I couldn’t even fathom to possess. The foster home I lived in the longest was absolute hell on earth. For a year, I had to surmount the worst nightmare of my life until an Angelrescued me.”
I picture a kid version of him, scared and living in a terrible environment. My heart clenches and I squeeze his hand, hoping my sympathy will reach him. I can’t imagine just how tough it must have been to be alone and down on his luck, hoping his family would come and find him.
"Your brother?"
A melancholic smile curls his lips when he shakes his head and cups my cheek, caressing my skin with his thumb. “A young man found me after I ran away and welcomed me in his home for a while until my brother and I got reunited.”
I lean into his touch, gazing deeply at him and wishing I knew how to comfort him. “Are you still in touch with that person?”
“Sort of but it’s become complicated now.”
“Why?”
His hand leaves my cheek, and I feel the loss of his warmth instantly. “We lost contact for a really long time so when I spoke to him again, things had drastically changed.”
“I see. Well, I’m glad you’re here and safe.”
Andrew’s eyes widen and a sudden laugh escapes him, his body shaking next to mine.
I frown. “What’s so funny?”
He gets off the trunk and pulls me to my feet, pressing me against his chest as he smiles down at me. “You have no idea how hard my heart beats for you when you say sweet things to me.”
“You’re an idiot.”
He smirks and tips my head up. “Youridiot.” Then he pulls out his phone and turns on ‘Tenderly’by Chet Baker, and I almost wheeze at the absurdity. “Dance with me.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
Smiling, he shoves his phone in his back pocket and presses me against him, moving to the melody of the song. “Ridiculously in love.”
“You seem happy about it.”
“Very.”
Could I too be happily in love if I allowed myself to? Maybe he could be the one to soothe my pain and replace it with soft affection.
Or he could destroy you and leave you to rot.
Don’t trust him.
Just for a while, I want to believe that this could be real even for me. Just for tonight, I’ll let myself forget about the rotten truth and accept his feelings.
Just a bit. I want to dream.
Even if I end up waking up and realizing that it was never meant to be.
Locking my arms around his neck, we sway to the music. His eyes shimmer with so much love and affection that I almost look away. But he tenderly leans his forehead against mine and smiles.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I was just thinking about how long I’ve waited for this moment and how I can’t believe you’re really here with me, in my arms, gazing at me like I hung the stars.”
Chuckling, I slide my hand in his hair and enjoy the little groan that slips out of him when I tug on the strands. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, Prince Charming.”
“Is it really so hard to admit your feelings for me?” he asks quietly, looking like a kicked puppy in the rain.
“I don’t think I’m ready to admit anything right now.”
