Page 6 of Naughty & Nice
Five years ago, I bared myself to her in ways I’d never had anyone else or since. I wanted to start a family with her and spend our lives together. I bought a ring and made a proposal too soon, sure. Her no is not what broke my heart. I half expected it. What broke my heart is saying no was not enough for her.
One day we were in love and inseparable. Conquering our first big build together and unable to keep our hands off each other. After the build ended, so did what we had. Josie ended it all as if I had just been another job she had been working.
“Don’t,” her voice startles me as it rushes out in a pained hush, “do noteverapologize to me, Oliver. You earned whatever you feel about me. Good, bad, or ugly. I hope to fix any bad or ugly. Before I can, we need to agree whether we can work on a build together or not,” her tone goes from sweet and gentle to questioning as her eyes meet mine.
I don’t answer. Mostly because I can’t say what I want to. I want to say I don’t give a shit about a build. All I want is the past five years back.I want her.I want to pull her across the table, take her plump lips in a kiss that reminds her of what we had, and carry her out of here to the closest bedroom.
“We can work together, Jos’,” I smile when her cheeks go pink and my cock reacts to that cute new trait, “you’re one of the most gifted designers I ever worked with. Our build is perfect for you, I think. We can absolutely work together,” I repeat the words more to myself this time and she smiles.
I heard her comment about fixing any bad or ugly feelings I have for her. I won’t read into it too much. I knew her to be a caring and loving woman with a forgiving nature. It should come as no surprise she hopes to smooth over any rough patches between us. I wish it had been sooner but here we are.
“They have tasty tortellini here. I bet you would enjoy it,” her eyes dance with humor and I feel my mouth twist in a grin.
There’s no doubt in my head that we can work together again. Working with her that first time was effortless. Her eye for design paired with her skill to make spaces make sense but look great is amazing. I was in awe of her talent and am sure it’s part of why I fell in love with her.
There is also no doubt that something other than our build landed us both here tonight. It’s been years and builds have come and gone. We could have wound up at a place just like this a hundred times over. We’ve managed to keep our distance in the years since we ended.
That’s how I know this is an orchestrated effort.
Whatever her reasons for wanting to meet and to work together again, I decide to be cautious. Yes, I am feeling a thousand things at seeing her again. What happened between us cannot be unpacked over some tasty tortellini and we both know it. Nor can it be handled while we’re working this build together.
Something brought this all about right here and right now. If it’s to make amends for the heart she broke and the hopes she dashed, I am fine with that. If it’s to clear the air so we can work together without our past coming between us, so be it. If it’s to prepare me for her to sweep into my life and right back out like she did before, I don’t know how I'll handle it.
Josie looks like a fucking angel in the middle of this little Christmas village. Us meeting again may be the best Christmas gift ever—or it could be another broken heart gift wrapped by the angel herself.
