Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Thanks, Essie. Really the prototype is just step one, and it’ll take a while to get it where it needs to be, but it’s affirming to have a team that supports me. How’s your work?”
“I’m on a fantasy set right now, and one of the senior artists has taken me under her wing. It’s been a challenge, and I love it.”
“That’s great, Ess. I saw one of your posts, but I didn’t comment because I wanted to respect your space. I didn’t want to be a creeper.”
I want to crawl through the phone and hug him. “You’re not a creeper unless you start liking my stuff from five years ago and commenting on all of it.”
“I was only planning to go back three years,” he jokes.
“Totally reasonable and safely outside of creeper territory.” I trade Catalina for the heart pillow he bought me and hug it to my chest. It’s soft and fuzzy and my new favorite. “How’s therapy?”
He exhales a long breath.
“That good, eh?” I laugh, but I’m nervous.
“Half the time it’s as if she can read my mind. Like, how dare she know me so well already, you know? What is she, a witch?” He chuckles. “Mostly it’s good, though, even though it’s hard.”
“What do you talk about?” This is what I want most from him, for him to open up to me, too. To share the parts of himself he’s afraid to share with anyone else.
“The obvious stuff—my mom, what it was like growing up before she left, what it was like after, what my relationships have been like.” His voice drops to a whisper. “I talk about you a lot, too.”
“Oh?” My heart stutters.
“I told her all the reasons I’m in love with you.”
“Do you want to tell me about those?” My heart beats faster. He’s showing me he’s trying in all the ways that count, that he thinks I’m worth the effort.
“You have the most amazing, open heart.”
“Sometimes it gets me into trouble,” I counter.
“I think that’s probably true for all of us,” he replies. “You’re truly sunshine and rainbows. You make people happy just by being you. Talking to you right now is the highlight of my day.”
My heart squeezes. I’ve missed him so much—the banter, planning things with him, spending time with him. So many times he’s affirmed me without even knowing, and maybe this time it’s intentional, but it’s softening my already marshmallow soft heart. “It’s the highlight of mine, too.”
“You’re smart and fun to be around. You’re a caretaker, and you always show up for people when it matters the most.” He clears his throat. “You have such beautiful faith in the power of love. I was so jaded that I couldn’t understand why you’d welcome the potential for pain. It scared the hell out of me.”
“Does it still scare you?” My heart hammers in my chest. He’s trying so hard, sharing his vulnerability with me.
“Absolutely. But it’s worth it if it means I get to have a life that’s full and it includes people like you.”
“I’m done thinking,” I blurt. “I’ll go on a date with you.”
CHAPTER 40
NATE
“Looking good, my man.” Flip stops eating his giant bowl of KD long enough to give me an approving thumbs-up and a nod. “Where are you taking Essie for dinner?”
“We’re going to Scaramouche, and then I’m taking her to see Wicked the musical.”
Tonight is our first official date. The past few weeks have been hard, but I’m making strides in therapy and learning how to let my walls down so I can love the people in my life the way they deserve.
“Nice. She’ll love that.” Flip nods his approval.
“I think so, too.” I check for my phone, wallet, and keys before I grab the bouquet of hot pink flowers and the box of chocolates from the counter. “You have plans tonight?”
Flip glances at his phone. “A couple of the guys are talking about going to the Watering Hole. I might join them.”
“Say hi to everyone, if you do.”
“I will. Have fun and play safe, honey bear.” He winks.
I have no expectations for tonight, other than spending time with Essie. Would I love to end up curled around her and wake up the next morning with her hair in my face? Absolutely. But one step at a time.
I leave Flip to his neon noodles and drive the short distance to Essie’s apartment. We all live in the same area, close to the arena and the business sector of downtown. Essie buzzes me in, and my heart rate jacks up as the elevator climbs to her floor.
Her door opens before I can even knock.
“Hi.” Seeing her for the first time in days is like seeing a rainbow after a storm. She’s wearing a long, gauzy pink dress, and her dark hair with matching pink streaks falls in loose waves over her shoulders. Her makeup is light, eyes rimmed in liner to make them pop, and her lips are glossy. “You look incredible.”