“Welcome to Ireland,” he said, pushing the door open.
I gasped, my eyes taking in the sight. Jaime wasn’t there, but in his place was a bottle of champagne, a dozen roses, and chocolate.
“Excuse me,” I said to the man. “Do you know where the other person in this room is? Did he leave, do you know?”
He shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t. If you come downstairs, I can check for you.”
I didn’t want to leave and risk missing him again, so I shook my head and moved toward the champagne. “No, I’m all set, thank you.”
The door thudded behind him and the lock clicked, reminding me I had ruined a beautiful night and was now trapped in my choices. He probably thinks I went back to Galway. I was gone the entire day. What did I expect? That he’d be sitting here, waiting for me? I dropped onto the bed and sobbed into the pillow. I blew it. I had an amazing thing, and I blew it.
I grabbed a piece of hotel stationery and started writing, pouring my heart onto the paper. Jaime’s belongings stared at me from the corner of the room, reminding me he’d be back, but I didn’t know if our next interaction would comprise love or hate.
Dear Jaime, I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. An idiot terrified of having her heart broken again. I’ve been fighting my feelings for you all semester because we live in practically different worlds, but I’m tired of being scared. I’m tired of doing what’s expected of me to have a safe, pain-free life. My parents’ baggage is attached to me with chains, and I’m tired of dragging it around. It’s not fair to you and it’s not fair to me. I love you, Jaime. And I’m in love with you. I’m sorry for all the pain I caused. I hope you never felt unloved. Maybe things could be different for us. I guess we have to take it one day at a time. Love, Rory.
By the time I finished, my tears had dried and my body had stilled. I folded up the piece of paper and stuck it on his pillow. Wanting him to read it, I didn’t want to be here when he did. Too much pressure to risk losing my heart again.
I stumbled into the bathroom and pulled the plush bathrobe off the hook. Dropping my clothes on the floor, I wrapped the bathrobe around me and tightened the strap. The soft fibers tickled my skin, and an overwhelming sense of home washed over me. Hot water filled the tub, and I dropped a dollop of bubble bath, watching the bubbles transform the bathroom into a day spa.
Climbing in, the hot water zapped my skin, and I sank further down. Closing my eyes, my pain washed away and all I could hear was my steady breathing. For the first time all day, the tension and panic escaped my muscles, and I took a satisfied breath. I finally spoke my truth, even if it came out of my fingertips and lay on the pillow. The hot air around me made me drowsy, and I closed my eyes, listening to the gentle splash of water as I stretched my leg above the faucet.
My mind remained empty until the water turned cold. I stepped out of the tub, dried off, and wrapped the plush bathrobe around my cool body. Pulling the plug, I gathered my clothes and opened the bathroom door.
“Jaime,” I gasped. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I didn’t know you were here.” His flat voice matched his flat affect. He sat on the armchair in the corner of the room, his left leg crossed over his right knee, and he stroked the paper dripping with my handwriting. “Do you mean this?” His voice cracked, and he waved the paper in front of him.
I tightened my bathrobe and kneeled beside the arm of the chair, looking straight into his eyes. “Yes.” My voice came out breathier than I wanted. “I’m so sorry. For everything.” Those stupid tears climbed behind my eyes again, and frustration at myself forced them back. I needed to remain composed. I grabbed his hands in mine. “I love you, Jaime. I didn’t want to fall in love. I wanted to come here and have a great time, see the country and learn about the culture, but you showed up, and I fell in love with you.” My blood raced throughout my body as I struggled to breathe. The questionnaire from the Matchmaking Festival floated before me. Taller than me. Healthy/fit. Kind. Thoughtful. Faithful. Motivated/goal-oriented. Good with money. Good with kids. I had no idea if Jaime was goal-oriented, good with money, or good with kids, but it didn’t matter.
His icy hands contradicted his warm eyes. I could tell he was unsure if I was being true. His face didn’t respond, his mouth fixed in a hard-set line, and his upright posture kept me on guard.
“I screwed up, and I know that, and I’m sorry for hurting you. I know it might be too late, but this may be the last night we have together alone. Can we take a step back and forget about the history of the last few weeks and enjoy our time together? Please?” I kissed the top of his hand, but he pulled it away. His reaction to me didn’t surprise me; I would’ve been angry too. “Jaime?”
He flipped the paper in his hands, staring at the painting behind me. “Do you promise me you’re being honest?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“And do you think you can have an open heart to the future? Or maybe not the far future, but the next week? Let’s enjoy our time together. Can you do that?”
“Yes.”
He leaned into me and pressed his lips against mine with such a force my body instantly melted. I wrapped my arms around him and ravaged his lips hungrily. All my insecurities fled, leaving pure lust for this man that could easily have been a figment of my imagination.
“Did you get me champagne?” The cart remained in the center of the room.
“Surprise. I ordered it when I booked the room and they brought it up when you disappeared. I thought I’d have to drink the entire bottle myself.” He kissed my neck and I gripped his shoulders to intensify the feeling.
He moved me to the bed, and I lay under the canopy feeling like a princess. The environment transported me away from my life and into a dream-like reality where Jaime and I lived happily ever after. “Hey,” I whispered, staring up at him over me. “You really are my Prince Charming and I don’t deserve you.”
He shushed me, placing his index finger over my lips. He unraveled the belt holding my bathrobe closed and treated me like his queen.
I wanted to stay there with him, forever.
Chapter 38
Shimmering rays of sunlight warmed my face the next morning, and I stretched and opened my eyes. I rolled over and placed my arm around Jaime’s bare chest. He mumbled but didn’t wake up, so I pushed against him, wrapping my leg around his thigh.
“Morning,” I said.
