“Did something hit you over the head today?” I tilt my head, scooping out my own bowl before scurrying over to the couch, sitting down beside him. “We never watch chick flicks together. Are you feeling okay?” I mockingly place my hand on his head to check for a fever.
With a mouth full of ice cream, he laughs. “I’m feeling fine. I thought I remembered you saying you liked The Notebook so I brought it. I actually like the movie.”
Biting my bottom lip, I say, “What about the flowers? I’ve never asked you for flowers.”
He shrugs. “So I bought you flowers. You deserve them.”
“I do?”
“Yeah, you do,” he says seriously, then asks, “What kind’s your favorite?” He flashes me a dimpled smile.
“I like the kind you bought me. Roses are beautiful,” I tell him, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
He’s not buying it. “No. Honestly,” he says, shoving another spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. “Tell me the truth.”
“Okay fine,” I reply. “I love calla lilies. They’re my favorite.”
“Good to know.” He nods. “Thanks for being truthful. I’d rather not waste money buying you something you don’t like.”
“You don’t have to buy me flowers. Really, you don’t.”
“I know I don’t have to.” His brows pinch together as he stares into his bowl. “I want to.”
My heart swells from his honesty. If he wants to buy me flowers, how can I stop him? I pause, appraising him for a moment. “Thank you, Sean. You’ve been such a good friend.”
“You’ve already thanked me three times. Let’s start the movie. I got a late night tonight.” He lifts his chin. “Still catching up on work.”
“Sorry.”
Sean didn’t make it through the movie. He’d fallen asleep with his head on my shoulder. His small snores were what clued me in, and I felt bad waking him up, but knew he still had some work to do. He fell behind, and I feel partly responsible for it. Now he’s ready to head home, and we’re standing in the front of the house, enjoying the beautiful weather.
“I talked to Thomas today … the guy with the FBI,” I note, kicking some rocks away from the walkway.
“You did?” He runs a hand over the top of his head.
“Yeah, I’m bugging him, but I don’t care.”
With his eyebrows quirked, he asks, “Did he tell you anything new?”
I lick my lips. “Just that the investigation is almost complete. Like last time, he reassured me the person who shot my father is deceased. Told me to call him if I had any more questions.” I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll call him again.”
“He was your father. Don’t worry about bugging him.” He tilts his head, taking a step toward me.
“I’m not.” An unexpected breeze passes over us, causing a chill to run through me. I slide my palms up and down my arms, warming myself up.
“Here,” Sean says, coming closer and sliding his own hands over my skin. “That better?”
My gaze flicks up to his. “Yes. Thank you.”
“That’s four.” His mouth tips as he stays in the same spot.
“What?” A moment later I grin, realizing it’s the fourth time I’ve thanked him tonight.
“You know what.” He chuckles softly, still running his hands over my arms. “I’m going to show you how a woman deserves to be treated. You’ll see …” He narrows his eyes on me. “That Luke guy’s a loser. How’d you ever end up with him anyway?”
“Sean, please don’t even go there,”
He stops me. “Just hear me out on this. Please.”
It’s hard to turn him down when he looks serious. “Go ahead,” I tell him quietly, hoping he doesn’t ask something I’m not ready to answer.
He gazes deeply into my eyes. “I know you’re not ready for a relationship right now, and I understand that. But if I want to buy you flowers, let me buy you flowers. Let me take you to places you’ve never been. Don’t you think you deserve that?”
I nod slowly. “No, you’re right. I—”
“He abandoned you, Reese. He discarded and abandoned you, but you still love him. It’s clear all over your face.”
I flick my eyes away from his. “I can’t just snap my fingers and turn off my feelings,” I reply, unsure what else to say. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
His eyes soften. “There’s nothing wrong with you. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Can you consider giving us nicer guys a chance? I’ll wait until you’re ready. You’re worth it to me.” He sighs, looking up at the sky. “Just tell me if I’m wasting my time here.”