Xavier
Somehow she looks even more beautiful in person.
“She’s coming to,” the waiter says.
I brush her hair back from her face and with my other hand rub the ice cube along her neck. I want to lean in and kiss her right now so bad, but I’d never take advantage of anyone, especially a woman.
“Where…what?”
“You fainted,” the waiter says. “But luckily for you this gentleman caught you just before you hit the deck.”
“I fai—“
“Relax,” I say. “Just try and get some air. I’m right here until you feel better.” And I want to be here like this always. Here for her whenever she needs me.
“I’m okay,” she says.
“No need to rush. Take your time.”
And I’m certainly not in a rush for her head to come off my lap. It fits perfectly there. The entire hotel bar is cleared out. We’re in the back booth and it’s nice and quiet and dark. And with the waiter now gone it’s just the two of us.
“Would you like some water?”
“Yes,” she says.
I lift her up slowly and gently, but just a little bit. I bring the bottle to her lips and carefully tip it back slowly, letting her take just a little first to see how her system is.
“How was that?”
“Good. Maybe a little more?”
“Just tell me when,” I say, giving her more water. It feels good to take care of her. To protect her. To nurse her back, not that I ever want to see anything happen to her. I just want to wrap her up in my arms and keep her safe forever.
To stare into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. She can be my brown eyed girl for sure. My one and only.
How perfect would it be. My best friend’s sister. We’d become brothers in law.
But it can’t. Her brother told me why and it crushed me, but I still feel like maybe there could be some sort of chance. I feel like I could be the one to turn her. And if it’s ever going to happen now’s my chance.
“I can sit up,” she says.
“Okay. I got you,” I say helping her up the rest of the way.
“How are you feeling?”
“Much, much better thanks to you.”
“It was nothing. Really.”
“I…passed out?”
“More like over, but yeah,” I say trying to lighten the mood a bit. She smiles.
“Sorry. I’m not normally so clumsy.”
“It was a big day today. We could all use some rest,” I say. “Not that it looks like you need it or anything. You look incredible. I’m just saying that you had to entertain people all day and that’s a lot of work.”
“Thank you,” she says. “I’m not that tired actually. And I’m glad I’m here now. I need to unwind a bit right now.”
She motions for the waiter.
“Can I get a glass of rose on ice?”
“Coming right up,” he says.
“Are you sure you want to drink right now?”
“I haven’t had a drink all day, and I had maybe one or two my entire time in college. But right now I feel like I could really use one.”
“Who am I to argue with the woman of the hour? And one who looks so incredibly beautiful too,” I say. Tone it down Xavier!
But my mind can’t control my heart right now. Emotions are going to prevail over logic. It’s rare that I really want something but I want her and I’m not about to hold back. I have to let her know now, no matter the consequences. We don’t have a lot of time.
I’m not one to normally believe in fate, but if her collapsing into my arms isn’t enough to second-guess if fate is real I don’t know what is.
I was considered fast when I played sports in college, but the fastest I’ve ever ran was from that bar to her to catch her before she hit the ground.
I’d help anyone, friend or foe. Stranger or friend. But this was different. I felt a certain kind of fear there. A kind of loss. The idea that she might be hurt and just thinking about that possibility crushed me. There was no way I could let that happen.
Not to the girl I’ve always wanted.
And it’s time to let her know.