Page 73 of Someone Exactly Like Me (Wounded Hearts 1)
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Destiny
I open the door to my bedroom, watching him go back out to the balcony, likely to have a cigarette. Closing the door behind me, I clutch my chest, filled with wild, intense emotions; my heart aching for whatever happened to him that makes him feel incapable and unworthy of love juxtaposed against the explosion of passion that’s blazing through every inch of my body, yearning for one kiss from his lips.
I wish tomorrow wasn’t our last day together. But the reality is that it is. I’m going to enjoy every last minute of our time together before he’s gone from my life. We may not have known each other long and we may not be dating, but this is the most powerful connection I’ve ever had with a man and I’m going to cherish it forever.
As I drift into sleep, he visits me.
In the morning, he knocks on my door. I open it to his disheveled hair, bare chest, and green and navy plaid pajama bottoms. He’s completely adorable and disturbingly sexy.
“Good morning. Do you want some breakfast delivered?” he asks.
“Okay.”
“There’s a menu here next to the phone.”
“Okay, I’ll be right out. Let me just clip up my hair.” I’d already showered, but hadn’t dried my hair.
Clipping up my hair, I join him on the leather sofa in the living area. We look through the menu and he calls to place our order. While we wait for our breakfast to arrive, he showers and I finish getting ready. When breakfast arrives, we bring it out to the balcony, soaking in the view one last time.
As we eat, we engage in small talk…How did you sleep? The weather’s beautiful for our drive today…neither of us bringing up last night.
We pick an art gallery to stop at before our drive back. Finishing our breakfast, we pack up and head out. He thoroughly enjoys the art gallery and, as we drive home, he tells me which pieces were his favorite and why.
After we stop for lunch, I pull out a book I’d brought with me. Somewhere along the drive, I fall asleep.
A soft finger caresses my cheek.
“Destiny.”
I open my eyes, blinking.
“Destiny, we’re home,” he says.
He’d covered me with a sweatshirt and I was snuggled into it. I get out of the car and stretch then grab my purse and tote bag. He already has my overnight bag.
I unlock the door and we go inside, standing in our usual spots in my foyer.
This is our last goodbye. My heart aches.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep on you. I guess I was more tired than I thought.”
“It’s okay. I enjoyed watching you sleep.”
I don’t want him to leave. When he leaves, that’s it. All this ends.
“Do you want to stay for a late dinner?” I ask.
He steps toward me and strokes my cheek with his thumb. “I want to, but I have some calls to return and an early flight. I have to go.”
My heart sinks with the gravity of this reality. “Okay. That’s fine.” I wrap my arms around my body.
“Thank you,” he pauses, “foreverythingyou’ve done for me these few weeks.” He chuckles. “I think I made out better on our deal.” He smiles. “When your book’s ready, I’ll put it on my Instagram and hopefully that’ll help. We’ll stay in touch between now and then, okay? I want to know how your writing’s going.”
“You’re welcome. There’s a saying that goes, people come into our life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I believe we met for a reason and I’m so happy I could help you. And thanks, I really appreciate your willingness to do that for me. Let’s stay in touch.” As the words leave my mouth, I know in my heart that we probably won’t. He’s going to be much too busy to keep in touch.
Stepping in closer, he tucks my hair behind my ear. I’m going to miss that. “I don’t know what happens from here. I hope we can stay friends.”
