“You are absolutely stunning,” he says, his eyes lifting up until they land on mine.
Usually, it’s every girl’s dream to get dressed up, and blow a guy’s mind, and have him tell her how stunning she is. I know it’s a dream I’ve had, but that was until Luke did the same thing even though I’m wearing a silly pair of pajamas and my face is completely bare of any makeup.
How does he do that? Make me feel special no matter what I look like?
“Where did Wren and Zane go?” I ask.
“I forced them to help me clean, and then I sent them packing once I heard the shower turnoff.”
“I still can’t believe Wren did this,” I admit.
“She’s going through a hard time, especially with it being her first Christmas without—” He was about to say Wren’s ex-husband’s name, but I frown at him because we don’t mentionhisname anymore. “He-who-shall-not-be-named. Being here brought her a sense of comfort, and you know how Wren gets when she gets comfortable.”
“Yeah, she forgets all about being a responsible adult and doesn’t pick up after herself.”
He grins at me, taking the dish towel off his shoulder and drying his hands. “She admitted to me that since she’s been living with your parents, she’s made sure to stay on top of everything, and this weekend allowed her to finally breathe for the first time in months.”
I cross my arms and shrug my shoulders, “Fine! I guess I’ll let this go.”
He’s staring at me in a way that makes me feel like I’m Cameron Diaz inThe Holiday,and Luke is my very own Jude Law. So, this is what swooning feels like? Yeah, I could get used to this.
Luke makes his way toward me, taking both of his hands, and grabs my face as he pulls me in for a kiss. It’s the kind of kiss that sends a spark through every nerve, settling in my chest like a promise I wasn’t ready for, but what I want anyway. He pulls away, placing his forehead on mine, and exhales loudly.
“Sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that ever since the drive home.” His words touch my skin in a rough whisper. A sigh loosens from his chest, and he drops his hand, taking two steps back, his dark eyes piercing into mine. “So…should we get settled and talk about everything?”
The simple question is enough to pop the bubble we had around us. Reality hits me like a ton of bricks as I remember that we need to sit down to define whatthisis. Even though I’m pretty sure I know what I want to happen between us, I’m still scared to take that step. I hate that life has made methis hesitant, always second-guessing something that feels so right.
“We can also wait, if you’d like. There’s no rush.”
I release a pent-up breath, feeling my shoulders drop from the weight he just lifted from them. “Want to eat that charcuterie board Zane made and play some Mario Kart with me?”
He pauses for a moment, chin dipping until his eyes are locked on mine again, as he answers, “That sounds perfect.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Luke
Olivia and I spent the evening in our usual spots, playing our usual game, falling into our usual conversations. It felt normal and yet like something completely new all in the same. Once we became tired, we awkwardly told each other goodnight, and she slipped into her room while I took the guest room. I knew as soon as my head hit the pillow that I wouldn’t be sleeping.
That was, until Olivia lightly knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to come cuddle with her. She didn’t have to ask me twice. I happily followed her into her room and wrapped her in my arms. Sharing a bed together over the weekend felt necessary for the lie we were trying to tell, but here, lying next to each other, where pretending is no longer necessary, the truth makes itself known.
That whatever we were before—friends or something in between—isn’t enough anymore.
Her head is laying against me. I can feel every inhale and exhale of her breath on my chest. I’m thankful that I no longerhave to suppress my feelings and that, if I want to, I could kiss her and enjoy every second of it. My alarm starts beeping, signaling that it’s way too early, but I need to get up if I want to make it to work on time.
Olivia stirs beside me, twisting onto her stomach, and presses her face into my arm. She swats a hand toward the sound of my alarm and grunts into my skin.
“Who knew you were such a morning person.” I chuckle, moving her hair from her face so she can look up at me.
“If you’re expecting me to wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed every morning, I suggest you go cuddle a squirrel instead.”
“But you’re cuter than a squirrel, especially when you’re grumpy.” I give her nose aboopbefore removing myself from her warmth. “I’ll go make us some coffee.”
A few minutes later, I’m dressed, have my bags set by the front door, and have coffee brewing. Olivia has a blanket wrapped around her as she shuffles into the kitchen. I grin, loving that I got to wake up with her this morning.
She tries to blink away the sleep in her eyes.
“Are you awake yet?” I ask as I reach for her favorite mug and pour coffee into it.
