Page 62 of Final Temptation
I couldn’t solve each and every one of his problems. I couldn’t change the past, but I wanted to try. He needed to work on himself and fix his troubles onhistime, not mine.
Every time the selfish feeling wrapped around me, reminding me of how badly I wanted him to be one hundred percent mine, I had to knock myself out of it.
We hadn’t thrown labels on anything—as badly as I wanted to—I was holding out hope that one day, he would wake up and call me his girlfriend.
I’ll be right here, entirely ready for him when he is ready.
My eyes roamed the small living space of the apartment we shared, scanning over every mason jar I’d collected with dried wildflowers—every mason jar thatMyleshad given me.
Every Saturday since he moved in, he brought me a coffee and a new batch of flowers. I didn’t dare throw them away, even when they died. Wildflowers still had a way of looking beautiful, even when they began to dry up, losing their life.
I took advantage of each part of himself he was willing to give, and this little gesture was the highlight of my week.
Saturdays were always a good day.
They were ours.
He started his Saturdays with a meeting, filled everymoment in between with us, and ended it with a workout at the gym. It was the day I felt most connected to him.
It would only be moments now, and Myles would walk through the front door, making today ours. Until then, I had some wedding planning to do.
Paige and Declan’s big day was months away, in the spring, but weddings weren’t something you planned last minute. My computer rested on my lap as I scanned through multiple pictures, creating a mood board to send to Paige. She gave me a few ideas and color options for what they wanted, giving me free rein to do the rest.
I loved that she trusted me with her wedding, a once-in-a-lifetime event, the day you’d remember forever. She wasn’t picky; her only requirement was that she get to marry the love of her life down by the creek on their property. The place we all gathered for many nights of barbecues and bonfires. Other than her picking the location, she trustedmeto be the one to make the day memorable for her.
Photos of cake, dresses, party favors, and décor flooded my screen, taking away every thought of Myles floating around in my head.
That was, until he walked through the front door, and like always on a Saturday, he had a new jar of flowers, and a hot coffee calling my name.
I closed my laptop, setting aside the plans I’d been working on for later. Right now, there was a gorgeous man with a killer set of forearms walking over to where I sat, and with the way he was looking at me, he deserved every ounce of my attention.
“Hi there.” Myles handed me the warm Americano, the fresh smell of roasted coffee instantly relaxing me, and the new bundle of flowers immediately brightening my day with the pop of color.
“Well, hello to you, too. What’s the occasion?” I took a sip of coffee before swapping it with the flowers, taking a big whiff.
“It’s Saturday.” He chuckled.
I’m aware. I just love to hear him say it.
“I know what day it is. I meant, what’s the occasion? You’re all dressed up with your forearms on display for the entire town to see.” My fingers grazed his strong arms, where he had his long sleeves tugged up. My eyes traveled from the top of his head, where his perfectly messy light brown hair laid, down to the navy blue thermal he wore, tight enough that each of the muscles in his chest poked through, and even lower to the khaki joggers he sported, rolled up at the ankle.
Jesus Christ, he looked so good I could hardly focus on the flowers in my hands.
“You mean, because I’m not wearing work clothes or gym attire, there has to be some sort of occasion?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“Well, uh…yeah?” I laughed awkwardly.
“Looks like you’ve got me pegged, Soph. Get ready. I’m taking you somewhere.”
I knew it.
“Really?” My eyes lit up.
“Yes, really. Wear something casual. As much as I love your little skirts and dresses, where we are going won’t be the place for those.” Myles winked.
Today was a good day. His spirits were up; he had something up his sleeve, and I was excited. Moments like this, where I felt him letting me in, felt him wanting to spend intimate time with me outside of the bedroom, made me melt inside.
Moments like this gave me hope that my heart wouldremain intact, and he was getting better every day with each meeting and day that went by.
