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The second I realized where I was, I sat up and listened.
Nothing.
I was probably the only one awake. I glanced around and felt ashamed of the mess I made in this gorgeous room Finn had made so nice for me. The towel I was wrapped in when I came from the bathroom yesterday sat like a big lump in the armchair, my sneakers right in front of the door, my suitcase and the bag open with clothes bursting out of it, and the jeans and top I took off yesterday still hanging from the edge of the bench at the foot of the bed.
I got out of bed and pulled one of the windows open.
The majestic sound of nature filled the room: the chirping of different kinds of birds that sounded so clear in the silence of the woods, then the sudden, faint rustle of the leaves in the background. My body welcomed the light blow of the cool breeze, and my eyes closed as I breathed in the fresh forest air.
Now wide awake, I stepped to the mirrored doors of the closet. I glanced at my reflection—at the PJ shorts and the tank top I was wearing—then pulled the doors aside.
It took me about ten minutes to unpack my suitcase and the bag. When I was done, most of the shelves, drawers, and hangers in the big closet were still empty. I picked up my sneakers, put them inside, and rolled the doors closed.
Ready to take a shower, I grabbed the towel from the armchair, opened the door, and as I took the first step, I nearly knocked over the vase with a large bouquet of white and peach roses sitting behind it in the hallway. There was also a poster attached to the door that looked like a huge card. It saidHappy Birthday!and had a hand-drawn, cute smiley face underneath.
I pressed the towel to my face to suppress my giggle. Then I picked up the vase and, inhaling the fragrance, carried it to the nightstand. After staring at the roses for a few seconds, I returned to the door and peeked out. First, I glanced at Mom’s room, then at the opposite end of the hallway.
Finn’s bedroom door was open, and he stood on the threshold, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe.
“Your bathtub is full and ready.” His famous smirk touched his lips, making my heartbeat race faster.
Oh God, not the one in his room. Is it?
And as if he’d read my mind, he moved forward and opened the bathroom door in the hallway.
I stared at him, pleased and shocked at the same time.
“How did you know I was awake?”
“I was coming back from a run, and I saw you open the window.”
“Oh.” I gave him a coquettish look, then comically wiggling my hips, walked into the bathroom.
My eyes darted from one side of the room to the other. Looking at the dozen big candles lit all over the shelves and floor, I deeply inhaled the tender smell of pine coming from them and stopped my eyes at the bathtub full of foam.
“I know it’s daylight.” Finn cleared his throat. “So the candles are only for the—”
“I know. I love that scent.”
He drew closer, stopped behind me, and whispered into my ear. “As a booking manager—” I chortled, “—I wanted to please my guest. Did it work?”
“Yep.”I turned around and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you,” I added, the glee bursting out of me.
“Happy birthday, Spencer.” His look moved down my face. He heaved a deep breath, then, with a satisfied smile, he pulled the lump of the towel out of my hands, threw it into the laundry basket in the corner, and headed to the hallway. “Any wishes for breakfast?” He glanced back at me with his hand on the doorknob.
“Surprise me.”
He nodded with a sly smile and closed the door behind him.
My lips could still feel that touch to his freshly shaved face.
Holy shit, I’m falling for him.
It felt good. But it also scared me like hell. What if he didn’t feel the same way about me? He said that he wanted to help me with my first transition, but he never said what was going to happen after that. What if he would just go back to his life, and we’ll each go our separate ways and remain long-distance friends? That will break my heart.
I need to hold my horses. Can I, though? He is soooooo—Dammit.
And what would happen then? Will I become a lone wolf like him? And why should I be afraid of other wolves? He never really explained that to me.
