“For my practicum, I worked at an assisted living facility in Mountainview,” I say. “The program accepts people suffering from addictions. They also deal with mental illnesses of all kinds.”
“Is it a private facility?”
“It is. And I know that makes it out of range financially for a lot of people.”
“Pretty much anything that’s not free will be out of range for this guy,” Brayden murmurs.
“The thing is,” I say. “Maybe we can get creative somehow.”
“What do you mean?” His blue eyes zero in on mine.
“Well, for example, if one of your cousins runs any kind of a charity, they could potentially sponsor him through a scholarship or some type of aid.”
“Are you serious? The facility accepts patients that way?”
“Absolutely. They take several people a year who qualify through scholarships. I don’t know if that’s feasible, of course, but it’s one idea. And if that doesn’t work, I’m sure we can figure out another solution.”
Brayden moves his foot so that it’s touching my thigh. “Thank you. I would never have thought of that.”
Where he’s touching me is burning up, and my nipples tighten. This is not good. Not good at all.
“How late can you stay?” he asks me in a soft tone.
I glance at the time on my phone. I can’t believe I’m having so much fun with this man that I nearly forgot about my fiancé and his wine.
“I should have left ten minutes ago.”
Brayden nods, and his sapphire eyes lose their sparkle. I want to say more, but I don’t know how.
He sits up and gestures to the red string around my finger. “How long has this been on?”
I inhale. “Six months. You know… it’s one of those knots that stick.”
He nods. “Must be some strong string.”
“I don’t know where he got it, but the red is supposed to be for love.”
Brayden’s lips part as his eyes fix on mine, and my heart beats faster.
I fight the urge to lean forward and throw my body passionately against his. God, that sounds like such a ridiculous soap opera moment.
I’ve always admired those soap opera characters in a way. They really seem to live life to the fullest, not caring if they make fools of themselves or whether or not they’re going to piss somebody off. They just do what they do in the moment and live with the consequences. I’m not certain I’m courageous enough to live with the consequences of what I’ve set into motion, and I don’t know that I have the necessary tools to come out of it gracefully. I don’t want to lose Brayden at the end of the month, but I don’t see any other way around it, because once a gold band replaces this piece of red string, everything will change.
It’s hard to believe that in a little over two weeks, Phillip and I will be married and on our way to the Galapagos. He and I have never felt farther apart, and my gut twinges uncomfortably.
It’s almost like Phillip thinks we’ll just show up at the courthouse and exchange vows ASAP so he can get back to his research.
“Are you okay?”
“Uh-huh.” I flash a quick smile before blurting out, “Phillip and I had a talk. I was concerned that he’s unhappy in our relationship. He didn’t say as much, but the implication was there.”
Brayden’s expression is blank. “Did you tell him how that made you feel?”
I feel my face go hot. “Sort of. I asked him what he likes.”
Maybe I’m imagining it, but the pulse on Brayden’s neck seems to pick up, and his breathing quickens. “What do you mean?”
“He has a bucket list to sleep with a professor. And because I failed my thesis, well…”
