Page 96 of Perfect Distraction
Lauren couldn’t quite see what was on it, but she fell in love with Andrew a little more. His heart was so generous and caring, and though he’d never admit to it, he felt deeply. Not only for the kids he’d gotten to know here, Jasmine especially, but about life in general. He was affected by good music. Romantic movies. The things happening in the lives of the people he knew. He was good, and wanted to spread that goodness beyond himself.
He was an incredible man, and he would be a wonderful father someday.
When it was time to leave, Lauren took his hand in hers as they walked down the long, colorful hallway. She hoped the elevator would arrive empty and got her wish. The second the doors closed, she pushed Andrew against the wall and locked her arms around his neck.
“You’re so amazing.” She kissed him.
“And hot.” She kissed him again.
“I love how sweet you are with Jasmine.” Again.
“Why are you so wonderful?” She kissed him once more and pulled back.
He blinked at her, looking a little dazed.
“I asked you a question,” she said with a grin.
“You expect me to think right now? You just attacked me in an elevator.”
She kissed him again and stepped away as the doors opened, and he draped his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the car.
“What did Jasmine give you?” she asked.
He held up the white rectangle, which turned out to be a section of thin canvas rather than paper. On it was a painted image of an outdoor landscape with mountains and a bright blue sky.
“That’s beautiful. Did she make that?”
Andrew smiled, a proud gleam in his eye. “Yep. She’s an artist.” His voice wavered when he said “artist.” He cleared his throat and looked away, and she didn’t bring attention to his obvious emotion.
They drove back to her house hand in hand, and Lauren couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. She’d never been in a relationship over Valentine’s Day before. Had never even spent it with a male who was a friend, much less one she cared so much about. She’d never really understood what the fuss was about, until today. Everything seemed more romantic, simply because it was a day recognized by the whole world as one dedicated to love. Every touch, every word, every thought seemed permeated with Andrew and what she felt for him.
As they approached her house, she slowed, coming to a stop next to her mailbox. She rolled her window down.
“I don’t know why I do this every time I come home,” she said. “I never get mail.”
Sure enough, it was empty, and she closed the metal door and pulled her car into the driveway.
“Do you want mail?”
“Sometimes. When I bought this house, I was most excited about having a real mailbox. Isn’t that stupid? I guess I thought having one meant I had a real home. But, since everything’s online, it’s always empty.”
“That’s not stupid,” Andrew said quietly.
They got out of the car, and she grabbed his hand, smiling up at him. “But my house won’t be empty tonight. I’m glad you’re here.”
She cooked fajitas, because he’d said it was his favorite food, imagining he might be able to feel the love she put into the meal’s preparation. She’d certainly felt his affection with the flowers that morning, and the several silly love-related puns he’d sent her in text messages throughout the day. And in every brush of his fingertips around her waist as she cooked.
Andrew coughed a few times during dinner, and she worried she’d made the meal a little too spicy, but he assured her it was perfect. He had two servings, so she figured it couldn’t have been too awful.
Instead of a movie they watched a documentary about the Seven Wonders of the World—not romantic by any means, but perfect for them. They watched it in her bedroom, side by side on her bed, her head on his chest. Toward the end of the film, Lauren registered Andrew’s breathing had sped up. She lifted her head. “You okay?”
He smiled. “I’m good. I was just thinking about how pretty you are in pink and wondering how much longer this damn documentary was going to last before I could do this.”
He pulled her on top of him, her legs straddling his thighs, and slid both of his hands into her hair, pulling her face down to his. He kissed her thoroughly, and soon she, too, was breathing heavily.
Sometime later they lay beside each other, both on their backs. Andrew had one of her hands in both of his, toying with her fingers.
“Do you think we’ll get married?”
