Page 40 of Lucky 22

We dance, we have dessert, and yet I keep my feelings tomyself. It may feel like we’ve known each other forever, but I have to remindmyself that it’s still early in our relationship. The last thing I want to dois scare him off.

I steal a glance at him as we walk to the elevator, and Iknow in my heart that nothing I say will change what we have. I can’t exactlyexplain why I’m so sure of that, but I am. Christian Lucas is my person, andthat’s all there is to it.

But I still opt to keep it to myself for now, my confidencewavering like a seesaw.

We’re quiet as we ride the elevator down to our floor.Holding hands in the comfortable silence works. I rest my head on his shoulder,and when the doors open, he releases my hand and rests his on my lower backagain.

I love it when he does that.

Every night that we’ve been here, we kiss goodnight at mydoor. He never asks to come in, and he’s such a gentleman that I can’t believehe’s real—or that some other woman hasn’t scooped him up already.

Though that works in my favor, so…

We reach my door and pause. This is basically it. My flightand his physical therapy session are early in the morning. I knew this momentwas coming, the goodbye, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready for it. Or want it.

“I had a wonderful time tonight,” I say dreamily.“Everything was amazing. Just like this entire trip. You really made everythingspecial.”

I can tell that he’s not entirely comfortable with thecompliment. His ears turn a little red, and he looks down briefly beforemeeting my gaze again. “You’re special, Ella Rose. I want to make sure you knowthat. It was important to me that you were comfortable being here with me.” Hepauses, taking both my hands in his. “I’m not used to anyone doing things likethis for me. Other than my family.”

“I wanted to be here. I just needed to let myselfacknowledge that and give myself permission.” Then I giggle because theconversation with my mother immediately comes to mind. “Well, that and knowingmy mother approved.”

He smiles because I already shared that story with him.

“I don’t want to say goodbye. I feel like we did that barelya week ago. But I know we have to.”

“I’ll be back in Anaheim in three weeks, tops.”

“Really? I thought you weren’t sure?”

“I didn’t want to say anything and get your hopes up, but earliertoday, I confirmed it with the trainers. I planned on telling you at dinner,but we were talking about so many other things that it didn’t cross my mind.”He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “And that’s only because I didn’t want tothink about this moment.”

I nod because I know exactly what he means.

“I know we just spent the entire day together, well, severaldays, but…how attached are you to sleeping?”

By the shocked look on his face, I know I worded that wrong.

“I mean…I meant…that we could stay up and talk,” Iquickly clarify. “You know, you can come into my room, and we can watch TV orjust stay up and talk some more.” I practically hold my breath, waiting for hisresponse.

He releases my hands, only to reach up and cup my face.Before I know it, he’s kissing me. It’s soft and sweet, and I melt against him.There’s nothing rushed about it, and there’s no urgency. He’s kissing me simplyto enjoy the kiss.

Which is great because I’m enjoying the heck out of it, too.

When he pulls away, we’re both a little breathless anddazed. He slowly smiles. “I’d love to stay up and talk with you all night, EllaRose.”

So, we go into my room and talk until the sun comes up. Inthe morning, he leaves to shower and get ready for his session while I pack andprepare to head to the airport.

We ride down in the elevator to the lobby together, and anAnaheim Magic driver is waiting for me. He handles my luggage as Christian andI enjoy our last minutes together.

“Three weeks,” he tells me, his forehead pressed to mine.“Sooner if I can. I want to be back for your big birthday bash.”

With this whirlwind of a relationship, I haven’t eventhought about my party. I mean, I’m looking forward to it and celebrating withmy friends, but I’d especially love it if Christian could be there with me.

However…

“Only if your trainers tell you it’s okay. You need to makesure you’re ready. I don’t want you to rush back on my account, only to end upreinjuring yourself.”

“I’ll be smart about it. I promise.”