Paris was … indescribable. It was the best time I’ve ever had in my life. He showed me the sights, held my hand, spoiled me everywhere we went, then went back to the hotel and made love to me.
When I say he made love, I mean it. He spent hours each night worshipping every inch of me. He used his mouth on me, his fingers. When we did have sex, it was slow and attentive.
I saw it on his face—he was feeling it too.
We’ve been back for a week, and he’s been distant. This week without him has made me realize just how hard it would be to lose him.
I’m not ready for it. I need more time.
Is that irresponsible? Possibly. It will hurt more in the end for me, but I just can’t imagine having the strength to tell him it’s over.
“Eva!” Jessie exclaims. “Snap out of it. Tell me why you think you shouldn’t be having this conversation with Roman now?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. I just want more time. Does ithaveto end just because I have feelings?”
She doesn’t respond right away. I wait for her to go off, to tell me I’m being an idiot. I’m sure that’s exactly what she’s thinking.
“You think he’s feeling more too?” she finally asks.
“I don’t know. It felt like it in Paris. I just think there’s no way I’m the only one feeling what I’m feeling.”
“And you’re willing to risk it and continue to see him?”
“If he’s willing to. It’s only been a couple of months. Even if he is feeling something, I can’t expect him to declare his love for me right now. It takes time. If it’s going this well, why would I end it before it has a chance to become something?”
I pause for a moment as I try to read her expression. “You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
She sighs. “Honestly, no, I don’t. You do have a point. It’s been a couple of months. There’s no reason for him to show up on your door and declare his love for you. I say go with your gut. If you think he might be feeling more, maybe it is worth it to give it a chance.”
Her response lifts a weight off my shoulders. I didn’t realize how much I was bracing for her words. Jessie is not one to tell mesomething just because she knows it’s what I want to hear. If she says I’m making sense, she means it.
With that off my shoulders, I continue to peruse the clothing racks.
“Eva?” a woman exclaims.
I turn around to see who it might be. “Penelope, hi!” I exclaim.
I close the distance and give her a hug.
“I thought that was you,” she says. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Just shopping with my friend. Enjoying a slow Saturday for once.”
“Ugh, you’re so lucky. I have a work event tonight. Of course it’s black tie, so I’m out doing some last-minute shopping.”
Jessie walks up to us with her signature bright smile. “Hi, I’m Jessie.”
“Hi, Jessie. I’m Penelope.”
“Penelope is the vice president of Bertini Hotels.”
“Nice. I love to see women climbing the ranks.”
Penelope laughs. “Roman’s many things, but a misogynist isn’t one of them.” She glances down at her watch. “Speaking of Roman, I should get going. He’s picking me up in a couple of hours.”
A shiver runs down my spine as my heart skips a beat. I do my best to smile and move past it. “Well, have a great time tonight. I’ll see you around.”
“Of course. See you, Eva. Nice to meet you, Jessie.”