Page 34 of A Gift of Time
I coughed to cover up my laugh before sitting on the floor and grabbing the small container of hooks. “I can hook them and then hand them to you.”
Without looking at me, he answered, “Sounds like a plan.”
I felt him withdrawing, but I didn’t understand why. We’d been having such a great time, and then one moment of us staring into each other’s eyes had caused him to become distant. It was the one side of Caden I hadn’t seen before.
His last relationship must’ve really screwed him up, making it difficult for him to move on.
What had happened? Had he been cheated on?
Keeping my questions to myself nearly made me inwardly combust, but I knew it wasn’t the right time to ask him about his ex-boyfriend. He was already distant; bringing up a heavy topic would only make him more so.
Once the tree was decorated from top to bottom, we stepped back and regarded it, tilting our heads from side to side.
“Damn,” I said, admiring it. “I think this is the best one we’ve had in a while.”Shit!“I mean, the best oneI’vehad. We did great.”
Caden didn’t react to my slip of the tongue, and instead, he gave a curt nod before walking to the window and staring outside. He crossed his arms and rested against the frame.
“Cay?”
Slowly, he turned, and his expression was indifferent.
“Please tell me what’s wrong,” I said, unable to hide the concern in my tone. “Did I upset you?”
Finally, some emotion. The façade slipped, and in its place was a deep sadness reflected in his eyes.
“No, you didn’t. I just…” He faced the window again. “I’m confused, plus other emotions I’m not quite sure how to describe. When I’m around you, I feel… different. Like I’ve known you way longer than just a week or so.”
Acting on impulse, I approached and wrapped my arms around him from behind.
When he was upset, he loved being surrounded. It made him feel safe.
The realization thatthisCaden might not appreciate the sentiment knocked into me, and I started pulling away. “I’m sorry—”
“No.” His hands touched my arms, putting them back in place around him. “Stay.”
So, I did.
He didn’t elaborate on his thoughts, and I didn’t inquire about them. I just held him. We stayed that way for a while—maybe five minutes or possibly an hour. I didn’t know. All I knew was how warm he felt in my arms, and how I never wanted to let go.
When he finally pulled away, his eyes found mine. “Thanks. You must think I’m weird. I told you I swore off romance, but then I behave like this. I’m not always so indecisive.”
“I don’t think you’re weird,” I denied, offering him a reassuring smile. “You’re hurting and needed the comfort. I’m your friend, Cay. Yeah, we haven’t known each other long, but I’m here for you.”
Caden studied me. “I like when you call me Cay. No one else does.”
“I’m psychic, remember?” I said with a wink. He laughed, and I reveled in the sound. “You hungry? I could totally go for some pizza.”
“You reallyarepsychic,” he said, cutting his eyes before breaking out into another smile. “Make it a sausage pizza, and I’m game.”
I’ll show you sausage…
“Awesome,” I said, walking to the coffee table to grab my phone.
After I called in the order, we sat on the couch and talked about the red wall and how well it fit with the new Christmas decorations in the room. Yeah, more small talk, but it was better than not talking at all.
The pizza arrived, and we brought it to the couch with us, choosing to eat it out of the box instead of dirtying plates. I got a beer and poured some more wine for him, and the talking continued.
He suggested I get a set of lamps to put on either side of the couch, and maybe another chair for the empty spot to the right.
“It will make it feel more like home,” he said, smiling.
Little did he know that my home was where he was.
