Leon opens the door and steps through it, looking hotter than a book cover model, and my stomach does a weird somersault that it’s been doing all week around him.
For years, I hid how I felt about him, but those feelings are still there. They’ve been lurking beneath the surface, which has thrown me off a little.
Why do I still want him when I can’t have him?
His brows dip, looking worried, oblivious to my conflicting thoughts.
“You good?” he asks, as if he detects my aura of confusion.
“Yes, and no.” I shrug, pushing my past emotions for my best friend aside.
“With time, you’ll have forgotten about Huck, the wedding, everything, I promise.” He winks, making my legs turn to Jell-O.
Shit, what the hell is wrong with me?
I’ve been with Huck for years, and yet, only five days away from him has somehow reawakened my feelings for Leon. I wish I could say they’ve stayed the same, but the truth is, I can’t, because the way he makes my heart flutter is much stronger this time. It’s supercharged, and I seem to have no control over it.
If I don’t get a handle on this now, I’ll have to suggest I go on vacation alone. That’s not what I want, but distance might be the only way I survive this time around.
“I made you a hot sweet tea, and I thought I should give you this.” Leon hands me a wrapped rectangular gift box, roughly the same width as a shoe box but only a third of its height, with an envelope resting on top, before he sets my mug of steaming tea on the nightstand.
“Oh no, I can’t accept any wedding gifts,” I object, holding up my hands.
He shakes his head in disagreement. “The gift inside the box is a personal present from me to you for your birthday next month. I thought it might cheer you up. And inside the envelope is a private yacht lagoon day trip with lunch in Bora Bora, which is a special gift from me to you. It’s not a wedding gift. I figuredyou could use a treat. And I could come too,” he adds at the end, his voice a little shaky as if uncertain.
How can I say no to that? It sounds incredible. “You’re unbelievable, Mr. Hill. Thank you. And of course you can come with me.” Spending time with Leon is effortless, and we always have such a laugh together. “It’ll be fun.” And I can’t wait to see him in his swim shorts.
Leon takes a seat by the window that overlooks the acres of land stretching for miles behind his house. “And I will be reimbursing you for the entire honeymoon. It’ll be my treat. You’ve already spent enough on the wedding, from the sounds of it.”
I casually wave him off. “I’m not arguing about those things right now. You’re coming on vacation with me, and that’s all that matters.” I don’t want any money from him; spending time with him is what I’m looking forward to. I’m excited.
I’m also excited about not having to set an alarm every day. This week has been heaven. I’ve had nowhere to be and nothing important to do.
Leon also knows how bad my sleep pattern is, so I have no doubt he will let me sleep until noon while we are away and insist I make a dent in my to-be-read list while eating my body weight in food.
Holding onto the wrapped gift, I place the envelope on the bed. “What’s inside?” I can barely contain myself and begin carefully untying the giant white bow around the box, then remove the soft lilac-colored wrapping paper with white polka dots.
“Open it and see,” he replies, pointing to it as he leans back in the armchair.
I discard the ripped wrapping paper on the bed and pull the lid of the plain black box from the base, the suction tight as if itdoesn’t want to come apart. When it finally slides off with a hiss, I gasp as a shiny new stethoscope comes into view.
Nestled in molded black foam with double lumen purple tubing, it’s the exact stethoscope I told him I wanted months ago, but never got around to buying.
“It’s beautiful, Leon.” I scoop my new toy out of the box.
“It has some fancy tunable tech which can detect low and high frequencies or something.” He clears his throat, running his hands down his thighs.
These things cost a fortune.
“It’s engraved.” He points to it just as I’m about to place the soft seal ear tips into my ears.
I pause mid-task and pick up the high-polished rainbow chest piece to inspect it and read the personalized message aloud. “Listen to your heart.” I swoon inside at the little love heart added at the end.
That’s what I did on Saturday. I listened to my heart.
“It’s perfect.” It’s a truly special gift. Thoughtful.
“No one will steal that one now. It’s yours.”
