Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Hugh moved a little closer to me. He didn’t seem aware of doing it, but I took the opportunity to slide my arm around his waist again in case he was looking for support.
“How did your roses do this summer?” Hugh asked them. “Abby said you experimented with some new varieties.”
They brightened at the topic, explaining how they’d found a new favorite and would be sure to give Abby some of the blooms next summer so she could show Hugh. It struck me then how unfair it was that they didn’t see the value in retaining a relationship with Hugh directly, since he obviously shared a passion of theirs. They seemed to play by older, more traditional rules that when a couple broke up, the parents were no longer allowed to remain close to the ex.
In most cases, this would probably not have hit me quite as hard. But Hugh was clearly hungry for connection, for parental affection and familial love. I could tell he wanted to be invited to their backyard barbecues and asked to give his opinion on the layout of their garden. He wanted to be included in regular, everyday family things. And now, Abby had the family Hugh had thought would be his.
As the Curriers continued to speak, I recognized Hugh’s friendly expression for the mask it was. The light didn’t quite reach his eyes, and his laughter didn’t linger with its usual enthusiasm.
I considered interrupting, finding an excuse to pull him away from the well-meaning couple for his own heart’s protection, but it wasn’t my place. For all I knew, he relished this opportunity to reconnect with them in whatever way he could.
When they finally wandered off to talk to someone else, I felt his muscles relax. Instinctively, I pulled him in to lean against my chest, and his nose brushed my neck as he sighed.
I imagined to most of the guests, our embrace looked like a simple moment of shared affection. Unremarkable, really.
But to me, everything about Hugh’s weight in my arms, the warmth of his breath on my skin, the privilege of standing beside him and supporting him, felt remarkable. Earthshaking, really.
“I…” I swallowed. My heart was full of him, and I needed him not to feel so alone. “I meant what I said earlier. Meeting you changed my life, and I’m grateful to know you. You’re an incredible person, and…”
Hugh pulled back and met my eyes. His confusion was clear in his furrowed eyebrows. “What are you doing right now?” he asked softly.
I reached out to run a thumb across the apple of his cheek, feeling the smooth skin and his body’s warmth. “You’re kind and thoughtful. You care so much about people. I just want you to know that’s a good thing.”
His jaw tightened. “Don’t fucking pity me. I can take it from many people. I can take it from Jared, I can take it from his drummer boy, and I can take it from the Curriers. But I cannot take it from you, okay?”
“It’s not pity. Jesus, Hugh. I…” I leaned forward and kissed him, mostly to stop his anger toward me and because I couldn’t resist kissing him any longer. His hand curled into the front of my sweater and held on tight.
When we finally separated, I noticed Jared and Ben staring at us, though no one else had seemed to notice. I felt like an ass for making a scene in front of his ex, even though one could argue that’s kind of what I’d been there to do.
“Sorry,” I muttered, looking down at where his hand still clutched my clothing. I needed the reminder that it hadn’t just been me who’d been into it.
“Don’t be sorry,” Hugh said, lips curving up. “You’re a damned good kisser. Never need to apologize for kissing me, Oscar. Even if you’re only doing it to shut me up.”
I leaned in close and brushed my lips against his ear. He smelled amazing. “Maybe I wanted to shut you up, but I also wanted to remind myself what your tongue tastes like?”
He shivered in my arms. It occurred to me that there was no way I’d be able to drop him off at his place later tonight without begging him to let me come inside and take him to bed.
Before I could remind myself of all the reasons that would be unfair to Hugh, Abby walked up. “It’s about time.” She beamed at her brother. “You two look so happy. I’m glad you finally started dating. I could tell when I saw the way you looked at each other last year in the hospital there was something there more than friendship. I didn’t want to bring it up after what you said this summer, Hugh, but love finds a way, right?”
Hugh’s mouth opened and closed like he wasn’t sure how to respond. I knew he didn’t want to lie to her, but her expression was so open and happy, hopeful and expectant, that he wouldn’t want to do or say anything that might burst her love bubble. I couldn’t bring myself to do it either.