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“Yes, well, I bet you are going to save the cinnamon roll for later too.”
I feel myself blushing fiercely. Somehow, I wish I could hide the bulk of my thighs right now.
“I might have a tiny, tiny weakness for sweet things,” I admit. “Don’t judge me.”
“I would never judge you,” he assures me with a smile.
For a few long seconds, I just drink the dark, rich coffee in silence. I can feel the magical potion coursing through my body, waking me up bit by bit. Truthfully, it had occurred to me that this would be a business trip without my usual morning Snickers bar. I was already strategizing on how to find a Starbucks or even a convenience store on this island. This is much, much better than Snickers.
I can feel Cal’s eyes on me as I drink the coffee and tell myself that it is fine. I can just let him look. The way he focuses all his attention on me makes me a bit uneasy, yet feels so good.
At first, I don’t think either one of us hear the soft knock on the door. It could be the wind, or some distorted sound of the seagulls on the beach. But when it comes again, stronger this time, I startle and clutch my robe closed at the neck again.
Cal holds up a hand. “Relax and eat your breakfast,” he smiles. “I’ll get it.”
For a moment, I feel strangely coddled. This billionaire is going to answer the door for me? Tabby is never going to believe this. But when I hear the voice, I have to stop and catch my breath. I turn around to see Irving standing there, a puzzled look on his face, a bright green beverage in his hand. The crease between his eyebrows deepens markedly.
“Look, Opal,” Cal grins playfully. “Irving dropped by for breakfast!”
Cal stands aside as Irving enters, and I command myself to catch my breath and stand up straight. I had a long talk with myself in the shower. Cal challenged me to figure out what I want. For better or for worse, I’m going to take up that challenge.
“Is that for me?” I ask, crossing the floor toward him.
He stands there, guarded and quiet as I cross the room toward him. When I reach him, I close my hand over his, then stand up on my toes to kiss him gently on the cheek. I hear the sharp intake of his breath, but he doesn’t let his guard down just yet.
“I thought… Wheatgrass,” he murmurs.
“Delicious,” I smile. “And so thoughtful. Really, thank you, Irving.”
It takes some courage, but I don’t immediately step away. Instead, I gaze into his eyes again, letting my finger drift along the back of his knuckles. I want him to remember yesterday, to remember what it felt like to share each other. To remember how close we were. To feel that connection again.
Little by little, he begins to relax. We just stare at each other for long seconds. I visualize yesterday in great detail. Cal said that I am very easy to read. I hope that’s true, and I hope Irving is reading every thought right now.
He clears his throat. “So, then… am I interrupting?”
“Cal brought me coffee,” I smile.
Irving scowls in the direction of the window. “I see that.”
“And sweet rolls,” I add. “I should probably confess my love of sweet rolls to you now. Don’t you think?”
He scowls some more. “I suppose. You don’t have to tell me things like—”
“I just want us to get off on the right foot,” I explain quickly.
His head tips slightly to one side, a gesture of a question he is not asking. I said the wordus. He wants to know if we’re talking about us right now.
“I think I should leave you two alone,” Cal calls out from the other side of the room.
“Oh no, I don’t think so,” I reply, still holding Irving in my gaze.
Irving’s expression darkens considerably. I hold his wrist for just a moment, then look at Cal.
“Can we talk? Can we all talk?” I venture shamelessly.
“Fine by me,” Cal shrugs as he closes the door and comes closer.
The three of us look at each other for a few moments. My heart is beating wildly as I formulate exactly what I want to say.
