“Drink this,” I say, handing her my reusable water bottle.She peels her hazy green eyes open long enough to accept the bottle and take a sip.I pull out my arsenal.
Venus peeks curiously as I rummage through my collection.I hand her headache meds, and she swallows them in one gulp.Then, I open a package of hand wipes.
“Are you usually this prepared?”she asks weakly.
“I’m a father, a teacher, and my mother’s son, so yeah.It’s the side effect of always having to carry inhalers, I guess,” I admit with a light shrug.
“So, it’s not just to perpetuate the damsel in distress fantasy?”she asks, somewhat warily.
“Are you in distress?Because… I can’t imagine that.”
She snickers.“No, but this is, admittedly, unfamiliar territory for me.So, maybe I need a hero.”
I grin, warmed by the thought that she mightletme be her hero—if she ever needed one.“I’d like to bethatguy for you.”
“My hero?”she asks, amused.
“The one who has what you need, even if you rarely need anything.Hand, please,” I say, like I do when I need to clean up Olly.She places her dirty hand into my outstretched one.I gently wipe it clean, and she closes her eyes again.I take my time, massaging her fingers and edging between her rings.When I replace the dirty wipe with a fresh one and repeat the process, I swear she moans at the touch.
I do the same for her smudged temples, bringing a sweet smile to her face as I lean in close to her.
“Thank you,” she mutters softly through her full, pink lips, and it’s a herculean effort not to brush them with mine for a gentle, teasing kiss.
“What Venus needs,” I say instead, and her smile grows.“How about we rest here until you feel better?”
I slip my arm around her, and her head drifts to my shoulder.Her hair smells like her rosemary shampoo with a strange hint of markers.Her skin is achingly soft and sun-kissed, and she’s warm, nestled into me.I feel grateful to have a reason to do this.Help her.Hold her.Be here for her.
I watch students pass, and people move in and out of the food court, academic buildings, and library, realizing I’m finally getting my wish—Venus and me, sharing a campus.
She drifts off, melting into me, and I rest my head against hers.With her in my arms, perfectly content and comfortable, I start imagining things I shouldn’t—a second chance at things we never got to do—normal couple things, like Dr.Blake mentioned.
Dating, without limits or permissions or curfews.
Family outings, like beach days with her in a bikini, and Olly relishing her beach facts while I try to keep him sunblocked and hydrated.
Dinners with Mom and Fred, when keeping the peace between them is more amusing than frustrating, because they’d have to get along eventually.
Venus, telling Olly bedtime stories.
I imagine waking up with her beside me and grinning when we hear Olly racing down the hall to tell us it’s waffle day.
A thousand cozy moments stream in my head in changing settings.Over burgers with Olly at Queens and Dreams.Watching TV under blankets on cold nights.In a tent in the rain.Anywhere and everywhere because we are all those places together.
Reality breaks in, an attempt to wreck my fantasies, but I don’t let it.Maybe I won’t get a thousand moments with Venus, but I have one now.Right now.I need to make the most of it.
I will my thoughts into hers like the flowers falling over our heads, wishful osmosis.Venus, I want more with you.More time.More us.Please, want that, too.
She startles awake with a gasp.
“It’s okay.Everything’s okay.I’m here,” I whisper automatically.“Are you alright?”
She sits up, her eyes hazy with sleep.“I’ve kept you.”She pulls her phone from her pocket, and her eyes go wide.“I’m sorry.I have office hours.”
“I’ll walk you,” I say, before she rushes off, though it’s only a few yards away.I speedwalk next to her, trying to keep up.“It’s okay if you’re a little late.”
“I know.No one usually shows up.But, I want to be responsible.”
My brows quirk at her sudden anxiety.“How’s your head?”
