Page 69 of The Road Less Traveled By

I think this house has magical healing properties or something.

Vince and I went on a walk with Nellie after we ate breakfast, and after that, I spent the entire day reading. Some people might call that a waste of time, but spending time in my favorite fictional universes will always be one of my favorite things to do.

Vince made all of our meals today, and I even helped him make the salad we had with dinner. It was the most mundane, boring, and peaceful day I’ve ever had. Vince took off after dinner to run to a nearby store, and I haven't seen him since he got back, but I know he’s home because Nellie ran off when I was taking a shower. She likes to come in and lick the water, and it’s entirely too cute. I love having her around. There’s something so soothing about Nellie, and sometimes, I think she can tell I’m feeling a bit down.

Dogs are smarter than people think. I wish my parents let Liv and I have a pet when we were younger, but they thought pets were messy and annoying.

Maybe I’ll get a dog if Vince leaves…

My therapist recommended getting a therapy dog once, and I brushed it off because if I could barely take care of myself, how was I supposed to take care of another living thing? I would’ve felt bad subjecting any animal to my panic attacks, depressive episodes, and general lifestyle.

Now, I’m in my room, a smile on my face as I queue up my favorite classical music playlist I use while I read. I can’t read or do much of anything without sound, and since I don't have my noise machine here, this works just as well.

Vince and I haven't talked about what happened last night—us basically admitting our feelings for one another—and that’s fine with me. In time, maybe we’ll discuss it, or maybe we’ll never bring it up again. The thought of that makes my chest ache, but I don’t want to make things awkward if I ask him about it.

Two knocks on my already open door pull me from scrolling on my Kindle, trying to find another book to read, and when Vince walks into my room, my heart stops beating.

Vince is wearing no shirt, his hair wet with that same one strand dangling down, his abs on full display.

My mouth is suddenly dry, and I find myself wanting to read another bodyguard romance, but I know I shouldn't. I’m practically living in one, and it would only get my hopes up, which is what I’m trying to avoid.

“Hi,” is all he says, waving some sort of box in the air before he sits down on my bed and places it in front of me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s nothing,” he says as I open the box. When I see what’s inside, emotions fill my chest.

It’s a night light shaped like a book. It’s open, and all the pages are spread out as if someone was fanning through it. Vince bought me a night light because he knew I didn't have one here. I’ve been usingthe bathroom light, and it’s worked just fine. I can’t help the tightness in my voice when I speak again. “Vince, this is beautiful.”

“I figured you needed one since I don't know how much longer we’re going to be here. It’s not a big deal.”

“Yes, it is. Nobody has ever been thoughtful enough to get me something before.”

“Oh, come on, you get packages every single day, Bree.” He’s trying not to make this seem like a big deal, but it is to me.

“Those are for me to promote. This is different.” I grab his hand. “Thank you, Vince. I mean it. This is the nicest present anyone has ever gotten me.”

“I saw it at the store when I went to get dog food for Nellie. It was right by the register, and I immediately thought of you when I looked at it.”

God, that sentence could send me into a coma. “I didn't think anyone thought of me like that.”

“Well, now you know I do. I don't only know you because I have to. I know you because it’s a privilege to be around you.”

I have to hold some tears back because that might be one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit detached, but the fact that Vince still thinks I’m a warm human being means everything.

Nobody really notices how hard I’m trying every single day—even when nobody's looking. I’m constantly battling within myself to try and make sense of all the things I’ve experienced over the past few months, and it’s really fucking hard. But Vince sees it. He sees me. “Thank you. Can you plug it in for me?”

He only nods as he brings it to one of the plugs in my room, and when he turns it on and shuts my light off, it illuminates the room perfectly.

“It looks good, huh?” he asks me, and I can tell he has a smile on his face just because of how he said that.

“It’s perfect,” I whisper, snuggling into my covers and getting more comfortable.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Bree. Sleep tight.”

“You too. Give Nellie a kiss for me.”

“I will, angel. Goodnight,” he says as he slowly closes my door.

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