Page 70 of You're The One
A lump forms in my throat, and I’m grateful for the low lighting preventing him from seeing the moisture in my eyes. I nod, because it’s all I can manage.
He opens the door, steps out, then turns one last time.
“I’ll see you tomorrow?” he confirms.
I nod again, and the door clinks shut behind him.
KISS ME, GODDAMMIT
WEEK 4
TWENTY-FOUR
I manageto wash my hair and look halfway human—or as human as one can at five-fifteen in the morning. My hair’s still damp, so I pull on a baseball cap to keep my head warm. I’ll have to do something with it before tonight’s ceremony, but that’s a problem for future me.
I hurry down the steps from the mansion to the beach. After Dominic’s worrying yesterday and his quiet understanding of everything I shared, I couldn’t leave him hanging. Especially not on our last morning here.
Tomorrow, we fly to Chicago. Just knowing that has started to lift the fog a little. I’ll see my brother and Hannah, small pieces of home I’m counting on to give me the energy to make it through the rest of filming. I can’t believe we’re nearly halfway through.
And then comes the whole reason I signed up for this in the first place: Hawaii. More importantly, no more being stuck in this massive house. Surely, they can’t keep us trapped in hotel rooms during the vacation stage…or could they?
And outside of the obligation… there’s also a little bit of missing our routine, of missing him, too. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud.
I’m momentarily thrown off by the tall figure at the bottom of the stairs, almost glowing in his absurdly bright workout clothes.
“Hey. What’re you doing here?”
Dom turns at the sound of my voice. “Figured if you were still feeling off, I could carry you. I also considered using the excuse of a morning run and needing to use your bathroom if you didn’t show up again.”
I giggle. “Of course you did.”
“It’s good to hear you laugh.” His voice is low, maybe a little relieved. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah. I think the promise of Chicago and then traveling has put a little pep in my step.”
He nods and smiles.
Then he pulls a pair of headphones and a tiny pink iPod from his hoodie pocket. I didn’t even know they still made those. Before I can say anything, he gently loops the headphones around my neck and clips the device onto my shirt.
“What’s this?”
“I loaded it with music. I can’t promise it’s your taste, but maybe we overlap a little.” He shrugs. “It’s not much, but I thought it might help.”
I stare at the device for too long. Does he not see how much this means to me? It’s thoughtful. Unexpected. I told him just yesterday that music was the one thing I missed most, and somehow, he made it happen.
A lump rises in my throat as I meet his gaze. “Where did you get this?”
“I bribed one of the crew members.” He brushes it off like it’s no big deal. “Figured you’d need it on the plane.”
“Not because you’re sending me home, right?” I tease, but it comes out too soft.
“What? No. Of course not. We’re finally getting to the part you came here for. I wouldn’t do that.”
He doesn’t say hewantsmehere, just that he’s holding up his end of the deal. And that bothers me more than it should.
“Thanks,” I tell him, even though it doesn’t feel like nearly enough.
He clears his throat. “No problem. Want to walk, or hitch a ride?” He bends slightly, as if ready to carry me.
