AllFreeNovel
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When we get home, together we sit in the kitchen making all the food.
Everything I talked to Lawson about, wanting everything, is right here. This moment is far more than I ever thought. Feeling slightly emotionally overwhelmed with it all, I take a moment to sneak out to the garage for a moment of clarity. I sit and examine this large, open space. I’m doing my best to absorb everything. The universal pull between us last night was so clear. And on the flip side, how easy it would’ve been to have never talked to him, just walked away.
How different it all could’ve been.
My eyes land on the brand-new tool set and workbench. They still have the tags on. The alloy smell is like heaven on earth.
“Baby? Are you alright?” Victor’s voice echoes in a hollow space. I turn to see this angel of a man.
“More than… I just…” Words escape me.
Victor comes and sits in front of me, taking my hands in his. He carries a worried look. His fingers rub against my knuckles, applying just the right amount of pressure for comfort.
“I just … I don’t know what to say. You are giving me the world.”
“Well, it’s easy when you don’t ask for much.” He bounces our hands, trying to lighten the mood.
“Yeah.” I let out a soft giggle. “It just doesn’t seem real.”
Victor pulls my hands to his lips and leaves sweet kisses along each of my knuckles.
“I never knew how much I loved these small gestures.”
“Well, it’s a first for me. I never knew how much I enjoy doing them to make you smile,” Victor states. “Ready to have this BBQ?”
“I guess. Who’s coming?”
“Everyone important.” Victor still doesn’t give much away. “Let’s go show everyone how bad you are at cooking.”
“What? You are worse.” I retort.
“No way.” He shakes his head. He jumps to his feet and pulls me up to him. My body falls flush with his as his arms sneak around my back, holding me close.
“Why are we having people over if we both suck at cooking?” Suddenly, I realized this might be a bad idea.
Victor lets off a hearty laugh. “I didn’t think about it. We’ll be fine.”
I try to drag my feet as he pulls us back into the house. His hearty laugh makes my whole chest explode. A loud ring plays out through the house.
“Ah, everyone is here,” he says.
I rush to the door and rip it open. My brothers, Massey, and her dad stand outside wide-eyed. Massey and I laugh. I rip open this door pretty harshly. I usher everyone in, and now I’m more excited than anything. This will be our first time sitting at a table with Massey’s dad. I’m curious to why he’s here.
“Hey,” Victor’s voice over my shoulder is warm and inviting. “Come on in!”
Everyone piles into the house and talks over one another. Victor chimes in on their conversation, offering a handshake to everyone. Through the mass of people, Massey seeks me out.
“Show me around.” She shimmies her shoulders as her feet tap against the hardwood floors.
Secretly, I’m thankful she did this. I take her hand in mine, and we rush off. My fingers jut out, pointing to different rooms or decorations as we dash toward the master. When we get to the primary bedroom, she geeks out.
“Collins, this place is amazing! Look at these photos of you guys!” She looks at every single one.
“I honestly don’t remember taking them. I mean, I remember taking them, but I didn’t remember looking like that.”
“Well, we all saw.” She places the pictures down with tender care.
The photos are of us are completely happy. I tiptoe to the door and close it. Massey looks over her shoulder and sees the nervousness in my face.
