MY FINGERS GENTLY GLIDE ALONG the soft white, lavender, and pale pink petals. The bouquet in a decorative vase I bought at a nearby antique store on a side table next to the couch. I sit there, leaning against the arm, daydreaming. Because a guy sent me flowers and my heart just can’t handle it.
It’s been a few days, but I can’t help but fixate on the delicate wildflowers sitting so prettily in the room.
I look down at my phone in my lap, seeing Rhett has yet to read the last text I sent him.
It’s late. Saylor and I both managed to snag the same night off—something rare for her in general because that girl doesn’t like to leave her bar. But when Rhett texted ten minutes ago letting me know he was closing up shop and heading home, I expected to hear from him by now to either let me know he was home or was heading that way.
But so far, nothing.
I don’t let myself worry, knowing he probably got held up doing something. Or possibly forgot me…
Popcorn pops in the background, Hope Floats sits on pause on the TV, while Saylor busies herself getting snacks ready in the kitchen. She deemed tonight girls’ night. A movie, food, girl talk. The works. Something I’ve never had before but was glad to do.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you, doll?”
My hand stills, and I look over to see her walk in. “No one’s ever sent me flowers before.”
When she sets the tray she was carrying down on the coffee table, I see it’s full of chocolate and gummies and a giant bowl of buttery popcorn.
“Come to think of it, no one’s sent me any either.” She plays a pout.
“Not even Nash McKinley?” I bump her with my shoulder since we’re now sitting side by side.
“Oh, girl, hush!” she replies as she throws a piece of popcorn at me.
“What?” I ask through a laugh.
“You know what. Ain’t nothing happenin’ with us.”
She blushes. Then Saylor Shaw—who I haven’t known too long but have gotten to know pretty well—blushes a pretty shade of pink that compliments her hair.
“From that blush staining your cheeks, I’d beg to differ. And what happened to you telling me you two were acting out on feelings you both realized you had?” I scoop a handful of popcorn, waiting on her answer.
She shrugs. “We’re fooling around,” she admits. “Have been since right before you moved yourself into town. But that’s as far as we’ve gotten, and I’m thinking as far as we’ll be going.”
Her tone holds a hint of sadness.
“Why do you say that?”
Another shrug.
She seems so unsure and not her normal, confident, out-there self.
“First of all, anytime I bring up telling Rhett—because I hate sneaking around behind his back, making it feel like we’re doing something wrong—Nash shoots it down immediately. Saying we need to wait for the right time. Second of all, all we’re doing is fooling around. No dates. No phone calls. No flowers. Just sex—mind-blowing, all-consuming sex.”
“Well…” I don’t even know what to say, so I don’t even try.
“Which don’t get me wrong is so damn good that I could live off of it alone. But…the thing is, I’ve been in love with Nash for so long, that mind-blowing sex will never just be enough. When Rhett and I finally moved out on our own into this very apartment, I was only fifteen. Nash’s pops and Gus have been friends for years with their respective businesses being so close. So Nash was already hangin’ around, and as soon as we moved in, there he was. The closer he and Rhett got, the more I saw of him and the more I fell in love.”
“Wow,” I say breathlessly. “I had no idea.”
“I was just a young girl, and I always thought the crush would go away. But no such luck.”
“Does he know how you feel? How you really feel?”
She shakes her head. “No, and I don’t think he ever will.”
We both get quiet, lost in thought.
“Alright now.” She sits up, shaking her arms out. “Enough about me and my sex life. Time to fall in love all over again with Justin Matisse. Hell, girl, I still can’t believe you haven’t seen this yet!” Gathering a bowl in her lap, she fills it with some popcorn and M&Ms, mixes it about, then grabs the remote. “Get ready to lose your heart to this charming cowboy.”
I think it’s too late.
As the movie starts to play, a knock sounds at the front door. Saylor and I look to each other before I’m pausing the movie as she goes to see who it is.
“Can’t a girl catch a break around here!”
I giggle as she peeks through the peephole, drops to her flat feet, and unlocks the door.
“Well, well, well. It’s a little late, isn’t it?”
Dropping my feet from the couch, I lean forward to see Rhett walk through the door. My heart kicks up a beat all for him.
His eager eyes search me out over Saylor’s head. “Angel.” That deep voice slides over me, taking me under.
I feel heat rise to my cheeks.
“What the hell am I, chopped liver?” Saylor whines.
“Hey, sis,” he replies absentmindedly, patting her shoulder. Then he’s on the move, dodging furniture to get to me.
I stand from the couch, running my hands over my messy bun and baggy, tattered sweatshirt.
“Rhett.” I say almost breathlessly. So happy to see him but wishing I had cleaned up. “What are you doing here? It’s late and I’m a sight I’m sure.”
“Bullshit. You’re gorgeous, baby.” Bulky arms wrap around my waist and pull me in. Full, warm lips lower to caress mine in a soft, slow kiss. Tender and sweet. “Sorry I didn’t reply to your text.”
How he knows me so well already, I’ll never know. “This is better,” I whisper.
“Glad to hear.” He smiles that smile that lifts one side of his lips higher than the other, stopping my heart for a beat, before kissing me again.
“Yeah, what are you doing here, big brother?” Saylor’s voice interrupts our moment. “It’s girls’ night. You got a vagina we don’t know about?”
He grunts, then kisses me once more before pulling away. “Real funny, Say.”
“Well? If you don’t, then care to explain what you’re doing here?” The question punctuated with a tap of her bare foot.
“Had to see my girl.”
His girl.
I could really get used to that.
“You saw. You kissed. You can go now. It’s late, and we have Justin Matisse to watch.”
“Wow, tough crowd,” he jokes.
I giggle and grab his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”
“‘Night, big brother,” Saylor says, plopping her behind on the couch with a huff. Grabbing her bowl, munching away.
I open the door and lean against the jamb. Rhett walks through it, then turns to face me.
“I’m sorry, but I agreed to girls’ night or I’d have asked you to stay for a little bit.” I apologize and admit. “But I’m really glad you came by.”
If he’s surprised by my admission, he doesn’t let it show. But I’m proud of myself for even saying it in the first place. Because being forward with Rhett hasn’t been my strong suit.
“No problem, angel. I know it’s late. Just wanted to steal that kiss.”
I can’t contain the smile that lifts my lips. Swept up in everything Rhett Shaw.
Sweet, confident, sure. Honest, real, true.
“How about another?” he asks through a smirk.
I don’t even need time to think. Without a word, I step toward him and offer my lips. He takes them, no tongue, just lips to lips. But this kiss, it touches all the way to my toes.