“Of course, of course. Take off whatever you’d like.”
I froze, frantic that she might have misunderstood me. Looking away, I waited for her to slap me.
“Oh boy, Idid notmean it that way. I’m so sorry. I, I just wanted you to feel comfortable here. Please don’t be offended. I was not trying to be smooth. Don’t think I haveeverbeen smooth, just so you know. I’m a computer nerd, a geek to the core.Sovery not smooth.” I was rambling like a fool and wished for a time machine.
But when I looked down at her, she was pursing her lips together, obviously trying not to laugh. Grateful that she just accepted my dorky side, I sighed in relief.
“You are the funniest guy. I know you didn’t mean it like that. But thanks for letting me get comfortable. Like I said, it’s been a long week.” She looked around and asked, “Where’s MJ?”
“Oh, she’s at Mom’s for the night. Girls’ night and all. Something about Korean face masks and a movie marathon. Said to tell you hello and how much she loved the pillows. It was really great of you to remember all those things.”
“That makes me so happy. I love when things come together like that.”
“You say it like you didn’t have anything to do with it. This was all you, Vicky. You’re very good at what you do. You seem to look deeper than most would.”
“Think so?”
I took a step closer to her. We hadn’t made it out of the entryway, but something about the mix of joy and uncertainty in her voice made me want to be closer to her. Convince her of how much of an impact her talent had already had on our home.
“Yes, I do. It’s evident that you care deeply about the people you work with. You…I don’t know? Youseethem. That’s rare.”
She took a breath and nodded. “It’s what’s important to me. To see them, understand them. To make their home a sanctuary. A safe place.”
I didn’t remember taking another step closer, but she was now within my grasp, and my fingers flexed with the tension of wanting to be near her.
“Doyouhave that? A place that’s your sanctuary?” I asked, my voice lowered, my eyes scanning hers. Her beautiful face softened as she spoke.I forced myself to listen because it was important, but her amber eyes and pert, slightly turned-up nose fought for my attention.
“I do. My home in Rome. Places like the Trevi fountain. The Vatican Gardens.”
Coming to myself, I took a step back and gestured for her to go inside as I laid her bag on the table near the door. When she walked into the living room, she gasped.
“Oh, Miles, the pictures you sent didn’t do it justice.” She spun around, eyes as wide as her smile. “It’s…”
“Perfect. I can only imagine what you could do when given actual direction,” I said with a chuckle.
She spun around, moving a side table closer to the sofa, letting her finger glide over a framed photo of MJ and me before turning back to me.
“Would you like something to drink? I ordered some food for us. Wasn’t sure if you had plans for dinner, and I kept forgetting to text,” I said.
“No, no plans. It shouldn’t take long to go through my sketches, though, so don’t feel obligated to feed me again,” she said, her eyes earnest.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m the one who dragged you all the way out to Coronado when you work and live in the city. It’s my thanks for accommodating me. Again, I’m a tech guy, so this is all new for me. Thought it would be easier for me to visualize your ideas here at home. Anyway, I’ve got soda, water, kombucha, orange juice.”
Vicky nodded and said, “No trouble at all. It’s really beautiful out here. Reminds me of the Amalfi Coast with the boulders and beach. Oh, and water is fine, but I’m intrigued about the kombucha.”
“Yeah, Leyla, the CEO at Luke’s company, got us all hooked on it. It’s fermented tea in different flavors. Good for the digestion,” I answered, walking toward the kitchen. With the open concept, I could still hear and see her as she looked around the living room.
Vicky snickered and said, "You remind me of my Mama. She loves fennel tea forthedigestion.” She emphasized “the” with obvious amusement.
Opening the refrigerator and grabbing a water and a watermelon kombucha, I turned to face her, placing my hand on my hip and answered, “Um, are you calling me old?” Her giggle made me ridiculously happy. “I’m only thirty-two, I’ll have you know.”
I couldn’t read the expression that crossed her face, erasing her laughter, but it was gone so quickly I thought I’d made a mistake. But when her smile returned, it wasn’t as genuine as a moment before.
Getting a glass, I carried the three items to the oak coffee table in front of the sofa where she had sat.
“Here, try some,” I said, placing it all on the table. I handed her the water bottle before opening the kombucha. The loud hiss made her eyebrows raise, and she watched intently as I poured some of the drink into the glass. She put the water bottle down and lifted the glass, inspecting it before taking a smell.
“Interesting. Smells a bit sour.” Sipping it hesistantly, her eyes widened. “Mmm, that’s actually pretty good. Thanks, old man.”
