I thought of Charlotte trying to be in the same room as Leo to start a business. I wondered if she had even been able to get three words out. “You know Charlotte's crazy about Leo, right?”
“I know.” He chuckled, the warm sound vibrating through his chest and into mine. “He's actually crazy about her, too. Why do you think he flew out so early? They've been circling each other like scared cats for years now.”
“And then she puked on him. Poor Charlotte,” I said softly into his chest.
“I have a feeling they'll end up all right in the end,” he assured me. “You can't find anyone more loyal than Leo.”
I shivered again as the cool breeze came off the water. It was well past midnight, and I was exhausted. Bastian pulled me in closer, rubbing his palms against my bare arms to warm me up. I was glad he didn't ask me to go in. I liked it better out here in his arms.
“How's your dad doing?” he asked. I knew he suspected it was part of why I was so upset.
“He's fine,” I replied. “They're running tests. I started looking up what each one does, but I stopped when each one scared me more.”
He hugged me tighter. “I'm sorry.”
“I just can't imagine life without him.” My breath caught. “I mean, I know I'll have to eventually, but I always imagined it when I'm old and my own children are grown.”
I suddenly remembered that he had already lost his parents. He had already lived this nightmare and here I was complaining when I still had my dad. He didn't have anyone. “I'm sorry,” I stammered, trying to pull back. “I didn't mean...”
“No, you're right,” he said softly, keeping me pressed up against him. “We're supposed to lose them when they're old and sick, not when they're young and vibrant. If anything, I understand more than anyone why you don't want to lose him.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, returning to my nook within his arms. “Thank you for taking care of us. I promise I'll repay you.” I stopped and thought about how I would ever afford such a thing. “You don't have to pay us for this appraisal.”
“No,” he said firmly. “You will get paid.”
“But...”
“I have Dr. Verner on retainer,” he explained. “I've already paid for his services.”
“But...” I still felt like we were taking advantage.
“And as you are so fond of pointing out, I am a billionaire after all,” he reminded me. He moved so that he could look me in the face, his gray eyes bright and the moonlight frosting the tips of his hair. The corners of my mouth twitched upwards. “There, I knew there was a smile in there.”
I smiled a little bigger. He was serious. And so wonderful that I wanted to cry again.
“Now, tell me about the painting you were looking at yesterday,” he commanded, pulling me back to his chest. “Tell me about your Paris plans.”
I knew he was just trying to take my mind of my worries and I loved him for it. I felt warm and gooey inside because he had remembered our conversion. Like it had mattered to him. Chad had never asked me about it, and my Dad had heard it all so many times that he had long ago stopped asking. I relaxed into him, pressing my cheek against his chest and feeling the rise and fall of his lungs, and then I began to tell him my dreams.
Chapter 15
Water splashed at my feet, waking me from the most amazing dream. I had dreamt that I had fallen asleep in Bastian's arms, telling him all my dreams. It had been wonderful.
And then I realized it wasn't a dream. I was out on the beach, wrapped up in Bastian's arms with our back against a big rock and the ocean rolling towards us. I shifted slightly, feeling the grit of the sand beneath my calves. The water was cool and made me shiver a little, but Bastian was warm beside me.
“Morning, sleepy-head,” he said softly. His voice was gravelly, as if he too had talked too much before falling asleep. I loved the idea of sleeping with him, the both of us wandering the world of dreams together.
Pre-dawn light filled the sky with gray promise. Soon the pinks and golds of sunrise would peek up over the horizon and banish the remaining stars from the sky. I couldn't remember when I had fallen asleep, but I knew I hadn't slept for very long. The two of us had talked for hours, and my sore, overused throat attested to not enough rest.
“You're going to miss your paddle-board session,” I murmured, looking up at the sky. Pink was now the dominant color.
“This makes it worth missing,” he whispered, nuzzling my hair and breathing in the scent of my shampoo.
I took in a deep contented breath. Bastian was warm and strong behind me and the waves were soothing. This was a perfect moment.
I turned to smile at Bastian, wanting to share in the morning's perfection. He was so beautiful that I couldn't help but stare. His eyes matched the sky behind him, a gray with just enough blue to make it soft. Even the scar along his cheek was softened in the morning light.
“Do you always go out at the dawn?” I asked, memorizing his face.