Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Look, you’re the one who tried to make me put it into words.”
I started up the hill so he wouldn’t see the color rise in my cheeks, and as he followed me, he said, “Okay. But like, what part of the Sistine Chapel do I remind you of? And are you Catholic? Because I feel like that affects the context.”
I glanced at him and tried to frown. The amusement that sparkled in his eyes was pretty cute, though. “No, I’m not. I think it’s sacred because it contains some of Michelangelo’s greatest works of art, not because it’s a church. Those masterpieces aren’t just beautiful. They’re rare and truly something special, and they need to be cherished, protected, and treated with respect. Like you.”
A huge smile spread across his face. “That just went from the goofiest analogy ever to the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
When we reached the car, I paused and fidgeted with the key fob. “I don’t know what you thought I was before, but you just got a lot of new information about me. If you’d prefer to call off this trip and go back to Vegas, I understand. Seriously. I won’t even be offended.”
“I don’t want to do that. Why would I, because you told me you’re a criminal?”
“That’d be enough for most people.”
“I’m not most people,” he informed me, with a playful smirk. “In fact, I’m the Sistine Chapel of human beings. Oh hey, that’s good! Remind me to have business cards printed up with that caption.” I pretended to scowl at him, which made him chuckle. Then he grew serious and told me, “I do have one question, though.”
I could only imagine what it might be after all of that. I braced myself and said, “Sure. What is it?”
His smile returned as he asked, “Can I keep driving?”
I was grinning as I tossed him the keys.
5
Romy
Once we started driving again, we narrowed down our destination to San Diego. Neither of us had been there before, and we liked the idea of exploring someplace new.
Marcus researched several hotels on his phone before making a reservation for us. A few minutes after that, he fell asleep. This wasn’t surprising, since he’d spent the night before on a chair at my bedside and couldn’t have gotten much rest.
I snuck a look at him as I thought about all he’d told me. Given what he’d been through, it was amazing that he trusted me enough to open up. Then again, maybe it was a bit like confessing to a priest, or telling a therapist his deepest feelings—I was someone he didn’t have emotional ties to, so what was the harm in being vulnerable with me? I’d done the same thing to him the night before.
Actually, it fit with him seeing this as a short-term thing—and that was definitely what he meant by telling me he couldn’t promise anything beyond the next few days. We were two people who’d met at a crossroads, and our lives were traveling in different directions. It made sense that this was just for now.
Although…
I glanced at him again before returning my gaze to the open road. Despite all my claims that I was done with relationships, I really hoped this ended up turning into more than just a quick fling. I wasn’t just attracted to Marcus, I was drawn to him. And even though it was obvious we were very different people, I couldn’t help but think we fit together somehow.
But I had to play it cool. It was important to go into this without a lot of expectations and just be open to whatever happened. If it was meant to be, we’d figure that out.
Marcus woke with a start a few hours later, looking an awful lot like he was ready to punch somebody as he blurted, “Where am I?”
Because I’d predicted this, I was sitting on a nearby bench, reading an ebook. I pocketed my phone as I explained, “We’re in San Diego. Since you told me waking up in unfamiliar places feels disorienting, I decided to stop at this park for a while. It seemed like a better idea than letting you wake up at valet parking in front of the hotel.”
“Good call.” He climbed out of the car and stretched before joining me on the bench. “What would you have done if I’d woken up swinging while you were driving?”
“I would have pulled to the side of the road and talked you down.”
“That must be your EMT training. I doubt most people would seem so calm about it.” After a moment, he glanced at me and said, “I’m really sorry. I know it’s weird.”
“There’s no need to apologize. It’s not something you can control.”
“No, but I should have tried harder to stay awake.”
I shrugged. “You were up most of the night, so I’m glad you got some rest.”