Page 52 of Compassion

“Tell this guy the bluntest version of the truth that you can. Don’t leave any doubt for what you could possibly mean because let me be the first to say if you do, then you’ll both get screwed over.” The bartender takes the bill into his possession while Dmitri explains. “My ex said I work too much – which in fairness I do – and that she needed a big gesture to prove to me she mattered just as much as work.I thoughtshe meant planning us a couple’s vacation to Disneyworld.She meanta 2ct princess cut diamond engagement from That Ring You Do.”

A loud hiss is attached to a wince.

“Yeah. However, I will say going on a couple’s vacation solowasn’tso bad. There was a little magic to be found with a bridesmaid at The Magic Kingdom. She was desperate to getaway from the bridezilla she called a sister, and I was desperate to stop looking at those princesses the way Mr. Mouse didnotintend.”

More laughs spring loose from parted lips.

“My point is…leave no room for miscommunication.” The smile offered next appears genuine. “If you’re right, and he’s not interested in you then it’ll be easier for you to move on. Preferably with a fairly attractive,still single and ready to mingle, pediatric doctor.”

Warmth remains in my tone as I reach over to give his leg a friendly pat. “You’re a great guy.”

My statement is met by a slightly defeated shrug. “Just not therightguy.”

No.

Not for me.

Post signing the receipt, Dmitri and I spend a little longer freely chatting mostly about the organizations he volunteers to with me making mental notes to donate to them. Afterward, he walks me to my car, kisses me goodnight on the cheek, and wishes me luck with my housemate.

And I need all the luck I can get.

I’m not always thebestwith words.

Maybe because I know how powerful they can truly be.

Seems like an obvious concept, right? But it’s not. Words reaaalllyyyyy matter. Whether they’re on the page or being spoken, how we put them together can be the difference between life and death, pain and pleasure, unrequited love and undying love. Hm? Okay, fine, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but what do you want from me? Reading a Sloan Mathers romance novel always does that to me.

Getting home doesn’t take nearly as long as normal considering it’s well past rush hour. I collect my workbag, my change of clothes bag, the bottle of wine I can’t wait to share with Archer tonight while we watch a couple episodes ofLawless Lives, and hustle to my front door the fastest that I can, hating the cold that’s nipping at my overly exposed thighs.

The instant I’ve closed the door behind me I’m greeted by Archer descending the stairs, large hands being wiped by a white towel, tattooed muscles glistening for the gawking.

What?! If he didn’t wanna be ogled, he should’ve put on a shirt! Oh…yeah…I hear how questionable that sounds. Do you think I had too much wine?

His grin grows too arrogant to deny that I’m doing anything else.

I allow myself another moment to indulge in all the places my anxious fingers are literally twitching to touch prior to pointing out the obvious. “You’re covered in paint.”

“Believe it or not there’s more on the walls than on me.”

“Good thing we bought youspecificpaint clothes, huh?”

He rolls his eyes over the reminder.

By we, I, of course, mean me. I bought them right after he forwarded me an article of ‘What to Expect When Renovating’. He wanted me to be aware of the noises I’d hear and possible damage and why he would be showering elsewhere for some unknown amount of days. I took it as a reason to buy him paint clothes and protective eye gear and earplugs. Ohhhh. That would be the miscommunication thing Dmitri was warning me about, huh?

The towel in his grip gets tossed casually over his shoulder. “Ifinallyfinished the bathroom.”

“All of it?”

He slowly nods. “Every single bit.”

I wiggle my bags off my shoulder but maintain my hold on the bottle. “That sounds like cause for celebration!” Holding it up, I dangle the object in a playful fashion. “What do you say, I pour us each a glass and then we can go up to marvel at your amazing handiwork together?”

“How do you know it’s amazing?”

“Becauseyou’reamazing.”

Archer’s cheeks slightly redden on a bashful grin.

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