12 Days of Forever(43)

She stands on the first step leading to her apartment building and rests her hands on the back of my neck. The look in her eyes is one of excitement and, I hope, longing. I can only hope my features match hers.

“I can’t believe you’re here. Are you real?”

“I’m real. I can show you later if you’d like.” My eyebrows dance, earning an eye roll from her but also a wicked little smile.

“Come on, let’s go inside. I have a nice warm apartment that I want you to see.” I was pleasantly surprised at how much like Yvie her apartment is. The moment I stepped in, I knew she lived there. I don’t know what I expected, but when I walked in it felt like I was wrapped in her arms. Her place is quaint and perfect for a single person. The colors on her walls are warm and inviting. Her shelves and walls are adorned with photos of her dancing and of her family. There are a lot of pictures of her with the band, with her and Harrison, but mostly of her and Quinn.

Once inside the building, she walks us up to the front desk.

“Miss Yvie, I hope you had a nice evening.” Charles, the man behind the desk, smiles brightly at her. You can tell that he cares about her deeply.

“Oh, Charles, it’s been the best night. I want you to meet Xander,” she says with her hand on my chest. My heart beats rapidly as I gaze down at her. She has to know she does this to me.

Charles and I shake hands, acting as if we haven’t met already. “It’s nice to meet you, Charles.”

“You too, Mr. Xander.” Charles is a professional and doesn’t let on. It will only take a few seconds for Yvie to realize that those close to her knew about this and helped me pull it off.

I hold Yvie in the elevator. She holds my hand when we exit, and I have to fight every urge not to lead the way. Each second it takes her to slide in her keys and open the door is painstakingly slow.

My throat tightens when she steps in. This is a risk and something I’ve never done before, but Jenna said Yvie would love it. Jenna hooked me up with a florist nearby who had the roses ready for me when I arrived. Once Lindsay and Yvie left, Lindsay sent me a quick text and Charles let me in. He even helped spread the rose petals, saying Yvie deserves nothing but the best. I happen to agree and hope that she thinks that’s me.

Yvie turns on the light and gasps. I step in and stand next to her, afraid to say anything.

“You did this?”

I nod, and look around the room. The red and white rose petals are scattered around her living room. On her little end table sits a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice. The strawberries are in her refrigerator.

“I had a little help,” I say, shrugging.

Yvie shakes her head. “How did you do all of this?”

I start to take off my coat and she follows. She takes mine and hangs it in the closet with hers. The benefit of a small apartment is that she’s not that far out of reach and her hand is back in mine before I know it.

“Sit down,” I say, kissing her nose. “Let me grab a few things.”

I walk into the kitchen and pull out the strawberries and pick up the two champagne flutes I bought earlier.

Yvie is looking at the vases of roses, four in total, which are around her living room. I pop the cork and the bubbly spills over, causing her to laugh.

“I’ve always wanted to see that.”

“It must be your lucky night,” I say as I hand her a glass of champagne.

“Are you going to fill me in?”

“Yes, let’s sit though.” I bring over the strawberries and sit next to her. As soon as she takes a sip, I offer her a strawberry.

“Mhm, this taste so good.” She moans, and I ache a little more inside. This is why long distance relationships are hard when you’re so attracted to someone. Something as simple as eating a piece of fruit is a turn on.

“Yes, I had help,” I say, before running the strawberry over her lips. “Lindsay emailed me. She said she thought you were lonely and suggested I visit. I miss you, so here I am. Lindsay was kind enough to get me in touch with Charles, and Jenna helped me with the flowers.”

Yvie’s eyes water and she buries her face into my chest. I use the opportunity to hold her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

She shakes her head. “You didn’t,” she mumbles. “You make every romantic theory come true, and I think you do it without even trying.”

“Um… is that good?” I hate that I even have to ask, but I’m a dude. I don’t know much about romance.