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I’m surprised our cheeks didn’t fall off the entire time because we were smiling like everything was perfect and normal and not at all the way it truly was.
“Well, firstly, that’s a weed—“
He raised a finger in the air. “All wildflowers are technically weeds…”
“Whatever,” I shook my grin, and he licked his parted lips, brows cocked up. “Second, I’m definitely notfree.”
“Debatable.” He tilted his head and I rolled my eyes before continuing.
“And thirdly—“
“Oh, there’s a third.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Of course there’s a third.” He tapped his palm to his forehead sarcastically, and I took the flower from his other hand with a grin. “Third?” He reminded me.
“Yes. Thirdly, that was far too cheesy to be real, and I think you should work on that. You don’t want any girls thinking you’ve lost your touch by spouting off cringy shit like it's a compliment.”
He paused for a moment and the golden sun hit the back of his head, making him look like he was glowing. That pale angry boy was gone, and in his place was a magical human with the supernatural abilities of being exceedingly hot and outrageously kind. I wanted to bottle him up, close my eyes like taking a snapshot to keep it forever in my mind, the time someone looked at me the way he did.
After a pause of his eyes flitting between mine like he saw something different every time he looked, he took a breath to speak, pink lips parted gently.
“Well, Espie, I don’t need any other girl.”
I lowered my brows at his tone, remembering that Vince working on getting me out of this, was not shared knowledge and we in-fact were meant to be getting married.
“Oh…” I breathed. “There you go again. ” I quipped, swallowing the nervous lump in my throat before he reached up, tucking a strand behind my ear that the wind kept blowing over my lips.
“If you thinkthatwas good, then you’re going to be blown away by the rest of the cheese I’ve got hidden up my sleeve.”
“I never liked cheese.” I laughed as he neared my lips.
“I never liked flowers.” He whispered, lips grazing mine until they inevitably connected like a perfect fit, sending rivers of longing through my entire body.
Another tear rolls down my cheeks as I recall the memory like it’s forcing its way to the surface. Every touch, every glance, every golden blade of grass like we were in some alternate world where everything was glowing and happy. But it’s not, and it wasn’t, and it can’t ever be— not between him and me.
Was he pretending, then— to like me when he didn’t? Were moments like those all a lie?
I hold back a sob, but it still shakes my whole body as I try to catch my breath. Then Olive’s arms are around me again, until I’ve exhausted myself fighting the memories and pass out with them swirling around my head.
* * *
When I awake,we are back in LA. It’s a gloomy day, but no rain. It’s a rarity here if it rains for more than a day— more than an hour, really. But still, it’s gloomy.
Everyone is unloading the luggage and Olive’s arms are still around me. I pull my hood off my head and glance over at her. She’s sleeping soundly, unaware of our arrival.
“Hey, sleepy head.” My face feels swollen and stiff, and my voice, scratchy.
“Mm.” Olive’s eyes open in shock, and she looks around for a second before she realizes where we are.
“I’m surprised we slept the whole time.” I whisper as the last of the boys unload from the plane and to the cars waiting on the runway.
“Hm.” Olive nods. She isn’t much of a talker when she first wakes up, so I help her to her feet. We hold each other as we exit the plane, walking down the steep stairs, and right to the open car door.
“Welcome home.” Olive’s driver for when she’s in LA, Mac, greets us as we enter the car. Olive nods sleepily, and I wrap an arm around her again as he chuckles. His chuckle reminds me of Adrik’s. I don’t know why.
All I know is that I could cry right now, and I think I’ll always feel this way; A little broken, and kind of like I’m about to crack at any moment. I look out the window as Olive curls up on my lap and just as we’re leaving the airport, the rain begins. I so hoped it would be sunny, but obviously with my luck, I didn't think it would be. Though, I had no idea it would rain, carrying over all the feelings from yesterday— the awful, gut-wrenching, embarrassing, tumultuous feelings.
