Page 88 of Feels Like Love
“Thank you,” I murmured, looking down at the colorful blooms instead of meeting his eyes. “They’re beautiful.”
“I probably should’ve called or texted first, but…do you want to grab some brekky?”
“I, um…” I glanced back inside.
“Or coffee?” he offered. “Since I assume that’s where you were headed.”
“Yeah. Sure.” I smiled. “That would be great. Let me just put these in some water.”
He followed me into the studio, chatting with Harper while I fussed with the flowers. Arlo was friendly and charming, but he wasn’t the man I wanted giving me flowers or surprising me at work.
Stop, Wren. Just stop.
Bennett wasn’t going to bring me flowers because what we were doing was a secret. We were nothing. And it was foolish to hope otherwise.
My stupid heart needed to shut up about Bennett and focus on the man before me.
Arlo never crossed my mind when I was with Bennett. But I found it impossible not to think about Bennett anytime I was with Arlo. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t stop myself, even now.
“You ready?” I asked Arlo.
He nodded, placing his hand on my lower back. As soon as we were alone in the hallway that connected the studio to Pore Over, he pulled me into his chest and kissed the top of my head.
“Hey,” he said. His scent was…Come on, Wren. Just give the man a chance.
“So, I was thinking…why don’t we bring River along this weekend?” He rubbed my shoulders, his tone hopeful.
River? I wasn’t sure I was ready to introduce River to a man I was dating, apart from the casual run-in at the farmers market. Besides, Bennett was moving out soon. I didn’t want to lose what little time we had left together.
I wasn’t ready to discuss Arlo meeting River, so instead, I said, “I’d rather do something just the two of us.”
“Mm.” He stepped closer, clearly misconstruing my intent. He flashed me a wicked smile. “How about a romantic weekend away, just the two of us? A chance to relax and spend some quality time together.”
Relax? Ha!A weekend away together with Arlo seemed like a big step. Like he might expect to take our relationship to the next level. In spite of Bennett’s coaching—or perhaps because of it—I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.
But could I really say no? And if I did, what would that mean for Arlo and me?
He was offering me the chance to have a relationship, a future. Something I’d never have with Bennett. And while I didn’t want my time with Bennett to end, I also wasn’t ready to give up on the possibility of something real with Arlo.
Ugh. Why was this so complicated?
“Wow. A weekend away. That sounds like something we’d need to plan.”
“I rang up a mate who works at a spa in St. Cecilia and got us a booking for the weekend. We could drive over, get massages, eat good food…” He grinned, likely imagining us doing all that and more.
“There’s just a lot going on right now.” When Arlo’s face fell, I added, “Let me think about it.”
“No worries,” he said. “I know I sprang it on you, but I wanted to surprise you.”
I nodded. “I will. And thanks. That was really sweet of you.”
He bent forward and pressed his lips to mine. It was…nice. But it wasn’t like kissing Bennett. It wasn’t searing and passionate. It wasn’t the kind of kiss that made me desperate for more.
“Arlo.” I laughed, pulling back, even as I kept my hands on his chest. “Anyone could see us.”
He lifted a shoulder. “So? Let them look.”
He seemed more affectionate than usual, more persistent. And I wondered if it had anything to do with meeting Bennett at the farmers market. Arlo and I had never discussed being exclusive, but I got the feeling I was the only woman he was pursuing.
