Drew’s hands dug into his pockets. “I’m happy for you.”
Veronica dropped her chin. “Thank you.”
My gaze bounced between them. Who was this woman to Drew?
She stopped in front of another door. “As I said, everything is set up. I’ll leave you to it.” With a small wave, she left.
I’d been so absorbed by their curious exchange, I hadn’t even paid attention to where we were. Posters of constellations hung on the wall as well as a bust and plaque of Galileo.
“You brought me to the planetarium?”
He rocked back on his heels. “There’s so much light pollution in the city, but I wanted to give you the stars.”
I didn’t even try to hold back my smile as I shook my head at him. “You and your lines.”
He opened the door and escorted me in. A blanket and pillows had been set up on the floor near the middle of the circular room. We lowered ourselves to the blanket, and I ran my hand across the fleece, remembering the floor-is-lava incident. My life hadn’t really been boring before Drew, but it had definitely become more fun and full of surprises since he’d entered the scene.
“You’re probably curious about Veronica.” His words pulled my head from the clouds—or the stars, rather, considering our location—and plunked me back in the present. Strange I could forget that little curiosity so quickly.
“She and I were engaged, once upon a time,” he admitted.
Hold the phone. “She’s the one who left you because you’re infertile, and now she’s pregnant!” My outraged voice echoed back to me.
Drew stretched his arms out to me, a big grin on his face. “Whoa. It’s okay.”
My nostrils flared. Now that I knew who Veronica was, I wanted to have a few words with her.
“Really, Nicole. It’s okay. I couldn’t give her everything she needed. She was right to end things when she did.” He scooted toward me. “If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here with you now, and there’s no place I’d rather be.”
My spine melted. “Fine. I’ll stow away my righteous indignation on your behalf.”
He leaned forward, and I thought he might kiss me, but instead he ran the side of his finger down the slope of my nose. “Thank you.” Standing, he walked to a console and pushed a few buttons. “Let’s get this show started.” The room plunged into darkness, then stars began to appear overhead.
The back of my eyes burned. No one had ever done anything so sweet or thoughtful before. Drew had not only set this whole thing up; he’d had to call the woman who’d broken his heart to do it. How could I doubt the validity of his earlier declaration when he’d gone to such lengths to make this night so memorable for me?
Drew sat beside me and arranged the pillows behind us. Once they’d been sufficiently fluffed, he lay down, and I followed his example.
The Milky Way burst in light and color against the black expanse. Purples and blues and whites. It was breathtaking, the beauty of creation. The largeness of the universe never ceased to make me more aware of how small I actually was, but also that my miniscule-ness didn’t distract from my importance to the One who gave me life. That even set amongst the vastness of His creation, He cared enough to direct my steps.
A crick formed in my neck, so I wiggled, trying to get more comfortable without disturbing Drew.
His face turned toward me. “Something wrong?”
I stilled, my neck at an odd angle. He must have noticed because he lifted his arm closest to me and patted his chest in invitation with his other hand.
Dare I?
“I promise I won’t bite.”
It had been a long time since I’d been held. Greg had never been a cuddler, and I hadn’t particularly wanted to snuggle up to him anyway. But Drew’s shoulder looked so inviting. So did the soft look in his eyes.
I may regret this later.But that was future me’s problem. Present me scooted down and over and laid her cheek in the comfortable crook created by Drew’s chest and shoulder. His heart beat a steady rhythm under my ear, and his shirt smelled earthy. Like sandalwood and the salt spray coming off the Pacific.
A contented sigh passed my lips, and I looked back up to stare at our galaxy.
Drew’s finger glided up and down over the backside of my arm, causing gooseflesh to rise.
“I could get used to this,” he murmured into my hairline.
