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“Only my face?” He tilts his head to the side. “Not any other part of my body?”
I meet his sarcasm with my own. “Yep, that’s all I like.”
His expression turns serious before he grabs my chin to turn it toward him. What’s his fascination with grabbing my face and making me look at him?
“I’ll have to remind you about all the things I can offer you.” Desire drips from his mouth with every word, to the point that I’m fighting not to tremble in his grip.
“Oliver…” my voice breaks again.
“Don’t,” he says firmly. “Please don’t try to tell me what happened was a mistake. Nothing about last night was a mistake. Honestly, I think we are made for each other, and I’m fighting really hard not to think about the end of summer.”
“There’s so much you don’t know.” I swallow. “So many things you should know.”
My words die the moment I see his face. The care and love written all over his features. Without pause, Oliver pulls me into his lap, encasing me in a cocoon of himself. The first thing I’m hit with is his scent. That mixture of the water and beaches. The perfect blend of our adventurous nature.
“I know,” his words come out hoarse.
“You can’t be okay with all of this.” I plead for him to demand something.
“Okay with it?” he repeats my words with a question. “Of course, I’m not okay with it. I hate that you aren’t ready to trust me with everything, especially after last night.”
“I’m sorry.” It’s lame, but that’s all I have to say at the moment.
“I’m not okay with it, but I also promised you that I’d stay until you’re ready. And trust me, I’m ready and waiting to knock down your walls. I don’t go back on my promises, princess.”
His words weigh down my head. He's too perfect for me. What did I do to deserve someone like Oliver in my life? First, with him being my safe space, and now, on this roof again, being the person to lean on and not ask for more.
I think I’m in love with him.
“Thank you for stopping at Adrien’s Bouquet!” I call out to the customer as he walks out with his anniversary flowers.
It’s kind of fun helping people pick out the perfect bouquet for their partners, parents, or even just something to liven up their homes.
Adrien might be the best guy I know. He kind of fills a role I didn’t really have growing up. I’ve never had someone else around me that is trans. Someone who truly understands every aspect of my struggles and can talk me through my swirling thoughts.
It’s not like I’ve never had someone to talk to about it. I have two moms, and most of my family is queer in some capacity, but none of them have been able to help shed light on specific feelings. Like, how I’ll wear makeup every day even if I’m just going to the store. How my wardrobe is filled with feminine outfits because I fear being seen as masculine.
Adrien is able to talk to me about his trans experience and how it affected him in finding his wife, Isla.
The shop fills with my phone’s ringtone from the front counter.
“You have good news?” I answer on the third ring.
“We should be good to go,” Ella responds before her voice carries on away from the speaker. “We’re set up at Water's Edge. Piper convinced her dad to help out with space, plus they are doing an impromptu drink special today.”
“That sounds perfect. I’ll have to make a basket or something for him.”
“You sound like Mimi now. Not that we can pay, but hopefully, we can get the Sunday afternoon crowd that needs a cold beer, and it turns into them buying something.”
After Oliver moved in because of the water pipes fiasco, he started picking up double shifts at the bar. Then he is taking on any labor jobs around town. The past three days have already taken their toll.
He falls asleep minutes after hitting the bed, and I can’t even argue with him because he thinks he needs to handle this alone.
I admire that part of him. Oliver is someone who constantly wants to help people. He’s selfless in an unknown way to most people. I’m selfish by comparison, and selfishly, I want him to get his dream of traveling, even if it means going against his wishes.
While I love working in this flower shop, it’s for Oliver at the end of the day.
I say my goodbye to Adrien and head straight to Water's Edge. Oliver shouldn’t be around since he told me today was going to be filled with him helping to fix a few roofs around the riverfront.
