The man’s a delicate lotus flower. All my instincts say he needs to clear his head after a day like this.
Still, if he wants to do something unholy under those perfect sheets, who am I to act like a saint?
“Your bedroom’s really nice,” I say, taking it all in. “Peaceful.”
He flashes me a soft smile, opening one of the closets to pull out a stack of towels.
“This was the one space I needed finished first. From here, I’ll tackle the rest.”
“Why?” I ask, lowkey obsessed with the way his brain works.
“A good night’s sleep is the foundation of everything. It’s when you process the day, recharge, reduce stress, repair your musclesand cells. You know what it’s like when you’ve been awake all night.”
My throat tightens. Yeah, I do.
“Everything here's meant to help me feel at ease.”
I’m genuinely impressed.
“I could learn a lot from you.”
I mean it. I’ve spent my whole life rushing from city to city, project to project. Always chasing the next thing, never really taking a break.
Truth is, I didn’t dare. I was afraid of what would happen if I actually did.
He lets out a very cute laugh.
“You can take the bed. Bathroom's next door. The toilet works, but you need to shower outside. I’m sleeping in the hammock.”
Yeah, no. That’s not happening.
“Come on, Yosh. You’re not sleeping outside, the mosquitoes will eat you alive. I’ve shared beds with people I barely knew— night trains in Thailand, sketchy back rooms of Kraków nightclubs. Trust me, I don’t mind.”
He hesitates. Maybe he’s used to being alone, guarding his space, but that wall he’s built around himself? It’s cracking. Slowly. Quietly. I’m waiting patiently for it to collapse. In the meantime, I don’t want to push.
“If you’d rather have your own space, that’s okay too. Just don’t sleep outside for my sake.”
He stares like he’s weighing all the risks, then nods like he’s still not sure. I’ll take it as a win.
“Here, take a towel,” he says, tossing one at me. “And grab something from the closet. My shirts will look good on you.” He smirks like he’s proud of himself.
I bark out a laugh. Yesterday he tried so hard to pretend he hadn’t heard that. Now I know for sure he was tripping over his own damn chakras.
“I know your shirts will look good on me, love, but don’t you worry about me.” I unzip my bag. “Three extra sets. Always. Life of a musician.”
I toss the shirts and some underwear onto the bed. Even my toothbrush goes everywhere with me.
But I do grab the towel, and without another word, I head outside for a shower under the stars.
The outdoor shower’s tucked behind a row of palm trees, half hidden in the dark. When I turn the tap, a thin stream of lukewarm water spills out. Barely any pressure, but it’s enough to wash the salt and sweat from my skin.
It’s quiet out here. Really quiet. Just the hiss of the water and the low hum of crickets somewhere off in the distance.
I tilt my head, facing the sky. Palm leaves sway gently overhead. The moon breaks through in flashes with every soft gust of wind.
I get why he fell for this place. It feels like the fucking garden of Eden out here.
With the towel knotted loosely around my hips, I head back inside. I find Yosh in the kitchen, barefoot, holding a glass of water. His eyes lift as I enter.
