“No problem,” a deep voice said. “Do you need help carrying that?”
“Actually-” I started and turned to him. I froze in an instant.
Weston Briggs stood before me in a gray t-shirt and blue jeans. His blonde hair was cut short. He looked bigger, like he’d been lifting more weights. And his face looked older, despite us saying goodbye only a year ago.
What made my heart flutter was the familiar smile he gave me. The smile lit up his eyes. He looked like someone new on the outside, but that expression never changed nor did my swooning when I saw it.
“Help would be great,” I finished with an awkward laugh.
He nodded and took the water from me. Our fingers brushed during the exchange. His palm sported calluses harder than before. I tried to imagine what he’d been doing to encourage the change.
“Where are we headed to?” he asked.
“Um, the move-in tent,” I informed. He fell into step beside me as I started walking. “Are you… is it okay if people see you?”
“I would prefer not to see anyone besides you right now,” he confessed. “I haven’t exactly told people I’m back. I want to talk to you before I’m bombarded with questions from everyone. Is that okay? If I take you somewhere or you take me somewhere to talk?”
I nodded numbly with a racing heart. “When we get close enough, I’ll drop off the water and then we'll go somewhere. My shift was almost over anyway.”
“Perfect.” Weston smiled. I tried to smile back but ducked my head down in embarrassment.
He was here. He wanted to talk. Out of nowhere. I had so many questions starting with, how was he and ending with, did he plan to stay?
I dropped the water off at the tent and told Yara and Ari, I was going for a walk. They both looked suspicious but I had a habit of going off on my own from time to time to warrant the sudden request.
“Text me when you’re ready to come home,” Ari instructed while handing me another green juice bottle. “I’ll pick you up.”
“Thanks.” I gave them both tight hugs before rejoining Weston who stood yards away.
“Take me somewhere,” I requested.
He gave me a warm smile. “I’ve got just the place.”
Chapter 41
Weston tookme to the botanical gardens on campus. I couldn’t hold back a laugh as he put his truck in park.
“Was this on purpose?” I asked with a teasing glint in my eyes.
He smiled. “I figured I should take you to an actual garden at some point. Since you’re not a fan of my metaphors and whatnot.”
“I never said I wasn’t a fan,” I argued as I opened my door. “I simply thought them to be a bit frustrating. Though admittedly, I missed them.”
“You’re not going to wait for me?” Weston asked.
I blinked at him. My heart sounded in my ears. So, we were just diving in? No precursor. At least one thing appeared the same, Weston didn’t enjoy being subtle.
“I agreed I wouldn’t,” I reminded him in a quiet voice.
His wrinkled forehead surprised me. I frowned back as I studied the confused look in his eyes. His gaze scanned me too, as if he suddenly didn’t understand English. After a few seconds of sheer uncertainty on both ends, Weston’s eyes widened with understanding.
“I meant, to help you down,” he said with a low chuckle. “You always waited for me before.”
I could feel my cheeks warm. “Right. Of course. I’ll wait for you.”
Weston continued to chuckle as he stepped out of the truck and came to my side. Like old times, he reached for me. Unlike old times, his hands didn’t find their way around my waist. Instead, he held onto my hand to keep me steady as I hopped down.
“Thank you,” I whispered as he closed the door behind me.
