One Wish

An audible gasp leaves my lips as happy tears threaten to spill over. We stay motionless and silent for a moment, only our eyes communicating with each other as this unseen pull brings us together like a magnet. His eyes search mine, his head leaning forward like he’s about to kiss me. It’s only when I realize his lips are about to touch mine that I pull away, my stomach feeling sick.

“Please don’t kiss me. She doesn’t deserve your lips on her.”

Seeing the pain in my eyes at the thought, his head turns down slightly. “I’m sorry.”

I place my hand on his cheek, causing him to look up at me. “Don’t ever be sorry. I want it all from you, I really do. It makes me feel sick to turn you away, but…”

He places his hand on top of mine, halting me. “You don’t have to explain a thing to me. I completely understand. This can’t be easy on you.”

I smile through my tears as exhaustion begins to take over. “I do have a favor to ask, though.”

Eli sucks in a determined breath. “Anything. You name it.”

“Lay with me tonight and hold me in your arms.”

“Audrey,” he responds, kissing my hand. “Nothing would give me more pleasure.”

And just like that, he takes me by the hand and leads me to my bedroom, where I get changed into a comfy nightie. I emerge from the walk-in closet to I find Eli tucked under the sheets, his bare, bronzed chest on display. My heart does a little dance and my belly a full-frontal assault just from staring at his fine form. How Kendra could ignore the beautiful man she had right under her nose all this time is incomprehensible.

My steps towards the bed falter a little as I take in the sight of him, but when he smiles, my feet manage to find their way.

“See, weak at the knees,” I joke, causing him to laugh.

I slip under the covers and slink down so that he’s spooning with me. The weight of his body pressed at my back causes me to bite my lip to stop the groan that wants to leave my lips. When he slides his hand into mine, I close my eyes to try and get my breathing under control. Man, he has a way of making me feel things I had no idea one could feel about someone. It’s like music, dance, and pure joy all rolled into one.

“Comfy?” he asks, snuggling his nose into my hair and causing desire to shoot like a ping-pong ball deep inside my belly.

“Very,” I answer, even know I’m equally too comfy and uncomfortable at the same time. Damn this body of Kendra’s! She doesn’t deserve his snuggles either, but this was one thing I knew I had to insist on tonight. The one indulgence I desperately need. It may be her body he’s pressing into, but it’s me who feels his body. It’s me who feels his hand in mine, and it’s me who feels the soft, warm air from his breath at the back of my neck. Kendra would never cherish this moment, but I am. I’m cherishing every single morsel of it.

“In another life we would be married and have kids by now.”

His statement dizzies my head as I picture that scenario. One where a dark-haired, green-eyed boy dances around a beautiful garden with his equally beautiful sister—both the image of Eli, of course. Eli and I lay on a blanket which is draped over a perfectly manicured lawn, our smiles wide as we hold each other close. The only sounds we hear are the birds chirping and our kids laughing.

“In another life, I would have loved that very much.”

He squeezes me into him more as happiness radiates through me. “It can still happen in this life.”

I bite my lip at the thought. “Maybe tonight, I should close my eyes and make another wish.”

“Oh, yeah, and what might that be?”

My smile is wide before I reply. “If I told you, it wouldn’t come true.”

“I’ve had the best month with you that I have ever had in my whole life.”

Closing my eyes, my heart is equally elated and saddened by the idea. He should have had many a happy month in his lifetime. But then something occurs to me.

“Me too.”

And with all being said, we snuggle up tight and I close my eyes to make a final wish before I fall asleep.

I wish Eli and I could be together forever.