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I should probably let you go back to sleep.
Nino
I’m in between jobs/flights. How about a video chat later?
Ash
Speaking of jobs, here’s my new address if you happen to get a job around Santa Monica. It’s so pretty here, you’re really missing out.
*Wink, wink* Yes, video chat sounds great!
I grin at my good fortune. What are the odds of him offering his address and living so close to my hotel in a city with such a wide sprawl?
Nino
How does 9:30 sound?
Ash
Perfect. Tom should be gone by then. I’ll be all yours ;)
Don’t say things that you don’t mean.
Needless to say that I don’t voice my thoughts and ignore how my heart somersaults.
Nino
K. Have fun with Tom. See U later!
Now that that’s finished, I dress in a pair of light grey shorts and a dark blue linen shirt. Rolling my sleeves to expose my forearms, I snatch my wallet and phone from the nightstand and head out; otherwise, my body might decide that I should rest, and there’s no chance that I’ll miss my “video chat” with Ash.
The light breeze feels amazing… My feet take me to Third Street Promenade. It doesn’t take long before I find a barber shop and nearly fall asleep—again—when the most soothing scalp massage I’ve ever experienced starts the TLC.
At 9:25, my Uber driver pulls up to Ash’s building, and thanks to the barber, I’m so relaxed that I forget my nerves, even when I stare at my reflection in the elevator’s mirrored walls.
My knuckles rap at the door once as I tap my foot to the rhythm of the song that’s suddenly playing inside my head:Don’t Worry Be Happy.
Right on!
Wary that Ash might not be here after all, I knock twice more with my eyes downcast. My attention is caught by a small square present wrapped in thick, colorful paper. Debating whether to ignore or grab the gift, I eventually snatch it and notice his first name written in block letters. I slide it inside the back pocket of my shorts to keep at least one of my hands free. I desperately need to touch Ash.
My heart skips a beat at the longing that overwhelms me.
The door slowly opens to a wide-eyed Ash. His lips part. His cheeks redden. His body stills.
Proud of my surprise, I shrug with a smile on my face and fire in my veins. Damn, I missed him! His hair’s slightly longer, wavier, and messier, unlike mine. Holding a gift in one hand, I keep the other in my pocket to stop from acting on the urge to touch him; we stand a few feet apart for what seems like forever. Gazing. Appraising. Longing. At least, I am.
He’s holding the door tightly, blocking the way. I don’t want to impose, so I offer a sheepish smile, then say, “I brought rum,timal.”
His signature blush makes his freckles more visible. I bet spending time in the California sun made them appear. They suit him.
My words trigger his reaction. Taking a step into the hall, he closes the distance between us. His smile reaches his ears as his palm lands on my cheek, then softly runs to the side of my head. “Your hair…” It sounds like a question, and I don’t have time to explain before his fingers stroke my dreadlock-free head and he adds, “You’re even more beautiful.”
With that, his lips brush mine and his arm snakes around my neck. His touch awakens every nerve ending in my body, and my hardening approval caresses his thigh. I couldn’t care less. Enthralled, I whimper and lean into his embrace with my eyes closed and open for him.
We kiss.
CHAPTER16
