Gabriel wraps his arms around Valentina’s waist and presses a kiss to her cheek. She gasps in surprise but then giggles happily. My eyes shift to the floor because, whether I’d like to admit it or not, I want what they have. I pretend I don’t most of the time because the thought of wanting this impossible thing is cruel to do to myself. But I do. I want to fall hopelessly in love with someone who I can love in every way. Not just as a partner, but also as a friend, an inspiration, and a favorite person.
I want the kind of love where you fall and fall and fall, never hitting the ground.
I want the kind of love where your partner is right there beside you, holding your hands as you drift among the clouds.
I want the kind of love that isn’t easy but oh so worth it.
Gabriel and Valentina have something most people don’t see, but that I can always identify. They have an unbreakable bond. It often gets chaotic, messy, and painful, but they love each other so much, they will find a way back to one another. Even though I don’t know if any of this applies to them, I sense that it does. Just like I know it applies to Mama and Papa. Just like I know it applies to Aileen and Nova. They’ve had messy times in the past too, but they always came back to each other, every single time.
Adrian’s fingers slide onto my arm, dragging me out of my thoughts and back to reality with a wonderful spark of electricity. It settles inside of me until a dozen explosions go off, warming me until my cheeks heat with a blush. I look up at him and he stares down at me, a single look enough to draw me to him.
“How are you feeling? You seemed very upset after your conversation with Lincoln yesterday,” he says. I can’t pinpoint what makes my heart race anymore. It could be his words, but his skin on mine is also a possibility. Maybe it’s the way he’s looking at me. Or the fact that he’s even looking at me at all.
“Oh, don’t worry. Lincoln and I have known each other for years. He did something stupid a while back, so now I despise him. We fight all the time, it’s normal,” I explain without realizing how much I am sharing with this new acquaintance.
Adrian’s handsome face turns serious and part of me is tempted to place a comforting hand on his cheek, wanting to ease what troubles him.
I barely stop my eyes from revealing how surprised I am at that desire.
“You despise him while he has feelings for you. That sounds like a very complicated situation,” Adrian responds, dropping his hand from my arm and breaking the source of electricity that was rushing through my body.
“I don’t think he has feelings for me.” Even though I suspect Adrian is right, I can’t go around and confirm things like that when Lincoln hasn’t admitted to any of this.
The tall driver cocks an eyebrow at me.
“Okay, if you say so. From what I saw yesterday, I think he does, but you know him better than I do.” I cross my arms in front of my chest and study his face.
“Why do you care anyway?” One corner of my mouth lifts, but he soon makes it drop again as he steps toward me until his breath is on my skin. Adrian leans down until I’m the only one who will hear his next words.
“I could lie and say it’s mere curiosity that has me wondering about you and Lincoln, but I don’t want you to think that’s the only reason I’m interested in you.”
My breath hitches at his admission, unable to stay steady when his words are so heady and wonderful, they twist my stomach in the best way.
No part of me wants him to back away, so when he does, disappointment consumes every inch of me.
He clears his throat and straightens out his shirt.
“I should let you go back to your family. Have a wonderful evening, Nevaeh.” Adrian attempts to walk away, but I hold onto his trained arm.
“You can’t say something like that and then walk away,” I say, and he steps back in front of me with an intrigued sparkle in his eyes. I’ve surprised him and he seems to enjoy that a lot.
“Then come with me. Let’s go for a walk,” he suggests and holds out his hand to gesture for me to go first
I don’t hesitate before grabbing my jacket to lead him out of the bowling alley.
Mama and Papa are completely wrapped up in their conversation with Gabriel and Valentina so I only tell Nova where I’m going. She gives me a not-so-subtle thumbs up, and I wink at her.
Adrian waits until I’m finished putting on my jacket, and we go outside into the freezing night air.
Snow falls on us, and Adrian turns to me to adjust my scarf and hat.
“Thank you,” I mumble, and he grins at me.
“I know you have a fire inside of you that could probably melt all the snow around us, but just to be safe,” he says with a smirk. I bite my bottom lip and shake my head, trying my best not to look at his panty-dropping smile. “I really mean it, Nevaeh. You’re full of fire and confidence, and, at the same time, shy and sweet. It messes with my head a little. I don’t know what to expect from you,” he admits, but I walk past him without responding.
I’ve never received a compliment from someone that gets my heart racing in the way he does. It makes me feel all tingly inside, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with this feeling.
“You must know how good you are with your words,” I point out, and Adrian runs his tongue over his bottom lip to hide the amusement I can see creeping onto his face.
