Page 9 of A DIY Christmas Miracle
My heart immediately started hammering in my chest, trying to get my body to speed up.
I should’ve made myself the tea after all.
My hands were sweating, my heart was beating in my throat, and my breathing was way too shallow, but I still tried to appear halfway normal and somewhat calm as I walked to the door. Okay, I rushed. Ran.
I just couldn’t wait any longer to see him, so I hurriedly rounded the corner and… fell over my shoe rack.
I landed on the wooden floor with a loud thud and an even louder shout of“Fuuuuck!”The air was being squeezed out of my lungs, and for a quick moment, my heart just stopped.
Shit!
“Eli? My god, are you okay?” There was loud banging coming from my front door. “Eli? Hello?”
“Every…” I wanted to reassure Will that everything was fine, but I didn’t manage more than a pained moan.
My chest hurt, my knee felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it, and my eyes were rapidly filling with tears. Still, I picked myself up, gritted my teeth and hobbled the last couple of feet to the door.
“Eli!” Will shouted, pushing through the open door so fast he almost slammed it in my face. “Oh my god, what happened?”
Will’s gaze roamed up and down my body, not in lust like I’d hoped but in worry, looking for injuries.
I’d have loved for the ground to swallow me whole right now. This wasnothow I’d wanted the day to start. I’d wanted to look rested and refreshed, not with bags under my eyes and a throbbing knee.
“It’s fine,” I finally managed to get out through clenched teeth, hastily wiping the tears out of my eyes so they wouldn’t betray my words. “I moved my shoe rack a couple of weeks ago, forgot all about it, and tripped over it,” I explained, waving my hand dismissively. “Not a big deal.”
“But you’re crying,” Will said, taking a couple of steps toward me and resting his hand on my shoulder. “Do you want to sit down for a few minutes?”
I shook my head.
“Let’s just put my stuff in the truck and head out. I’ll be sitting for the drive, anyway.” I’d stopped crying now. I’d calm down and hope there wasn’t any concealer — applied to help not look like a dead body — on the sleeve I’d used to wipe my eyes with. The shirt was brand new. I’d bought it last week with the sole purpose of wearing it today. It was a red so deep it looked like wine, and it hugged my body without being too tight. Screw the fact that it was only a long-sleeved shirt and definitely too thin to wear in this weather. I looked good in it and that was what was important.
Beauty is pain.
Also, I’d taken my regular clothes for the upcoming days — thick hoodies and sweaters, a ton of scarves and beanies — but I’d wanted to look especially good today and make a lasting impression.
I was afraid my plan hadn’t really worked out.
While I was busy grabbing my messenger bag containing my laptop, chargers, and a pile of tests I had to grade over the break, Will had snuck into the kitchen. At least that’s the direction he was coming from, holding the travel mugs filled with coffee in one hand and an ice pack in the other. Grinning widely, he waved the travel mugs at me.
“You made us coffee? God, I love you so much!”
My heart foolishly skipped a beat. He said he loved me!
I mean, I knew he didn’t really mean it, but my body obviously didn’t get the memo.
“Did you know the roast you’re using is my favorite?”
Wouldn’t it be romantic if me using his favorite brand was a crazy coincidence? I could look up at him all surprised and say, ‘No, really? It’s my favorite roast, too!’And then we’d laugh, but…
“Honestly? I bought it because I knew you liked it.” I stared at my still-throbbing knee instead of looking Will in the eye. My cheeks were flaming hot.
Was that too much? Maybe even a little creepy?
“Seriously?” For some reason, Will’s voice sounded higher than normal, almost a little squeaky.
“Yeah.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “I needed new coffee, anyway, and thought I might as well surprise you with it.”
And I sincerely hoped Will would be a frequent guest at my home in the future. That we’d spend our mornings having breakfast in bed, followed by a cuddling session and… a workout.
