Page 55 of Yours Temporarily

I wrap my arms around her, cuddling her soft body, and escalate our simple peck into a gentle kiss. This public display, intended or not to signal to Sonya, becomes a moment of genuine connection between us.

“You’re sure you don’t want to stay?” I murmur against her lips, my heart racing. I’m caught in the warmth of her proximity, but her nod confirms her decision.

“I’ll tag along.” Hope approaches Gavin with an affectionate embrace. “You should stay and play Jeremy again. That skiing took a toll on me.”

As the game with Sonya unfolds, Gavin’s a silent pillar of support. He engages minimally with Lucky, his focus on the game and the dynamics playing out. My strategy against Sonya is simple—and effective.

A quick win hastens her departure from the game table and allows Gavin and me to resume our competition. But I soon regret not calling it a night after playing Sonya because she lingers, her presence an irritating reminder of past entanglements I’d rather forget.

Yet dodging her isn’t an option when she leans in, her voice silkily suggesting, “Would you like to take advantage of the Jacuzzi after?”

Seriously? I grunt. “Headed to bed.”

“How about skiing tomorrow, for old times’ sake?”

My plans are set. “I’m skiing with Zuri.”

I swallow a laugh when Lucky positions herself close to Gavin, barely masking her true intentions. “Ready for the big day?”

“No reason not to be.” He keeps his gaze on the pool table.

Right. It’s not like he thinks Hope will be a no-show like Lucky was. Somehow, I keep the comment to myself.

Gavin is as competitive as I am, but we’re both on the same page as we struggle to concentrate on the game with Sonya and Lucky circling like predators. We just need to finish and call it a night. While the duo keeps laughing at their own jokes, I win one round, and Gavin wins one. We settle for a rematch tomorrow and retreat to the sanctuary of our shared room and its two single beds.

“I should’ve left as soon as Zuri left.” I slide under the covers.

“Lucky for you, Hope knew you’d need backup and asked me to stay.”

I chuckle and clasp my hands behind my head as I stare at the dark ceiling. Our conversation drifts from the day’s plans to our current predicaments. “I’m gonna hit the trail early if you and Hope want to come.”

“Hope’s not a morning person anymore,” Gavin says. “It’s good you’re going early. Otherwise, Sonya seems bent on clinging to you.”

“Doesn’t seem Lucky is ready to let you go either.”

“That’s up to her. I haven’t given her any reason to keep chasing me. The sooner she stops taking Mom’s advice, the sooner she could get herself out there.” Gavin’s bed creaks as he turns over. “Good thing you have Zuri to save you from Sonya’s drama now.”

I smile into the darkness. “Zuri did great in her ski class.” The memory of our kiss lingers. I can almost still smell her sweet mint breath. “I thought when I kissed her in front of Sonya I made things clear I’ve moved on.”

“You kissed Zuri today?”

“Uh-huh!” My lips tingle at the admission. “And I kissed her on the rooftop—in the rain, no less—the day I slipped the ring on her finger, and I just…” Adrenaline surges through my body. Man, that kiss took me by surprise. “I didn’t just slide the ring on her finger and walk away. There were words before that. They just flew out of my mouth and didn’t seem forced or anything.”

My chest tightens from the way Zuri makes me feel. During our silence, I can hear the occasional shuffle of footsteps passing through the hallway.

“When you kissed Zuri today, was it just for show or because you wanted to?”

“It’s both.” How can I explain? “Showing off motivated me to do something I wanted to do.”

“You and Zuri…” Gavin clears his throat. “Bro, I can see you two ending up together. You’re yourself around her.”

I nod, the weight of my next words pressing on my chest, needing release. “How do I break free from this pretend arrangement and transition to the real deal?”

“It’s simple. Communication.” He exhales, long and deep, a contented sound I envy. “My relationship with Hope is stronger because we both trust that God is at the center of it, the foundation. Whenever we pray together, it helps us look at things from God’s perspective.” He talks about the essence of relationships and God’s ability to connect each one to the right person. “All that takes prayer.”

I tell him about Zuri’s faith in God. “She’s told me bits and pieces about prayer. I don’t know if she’d want me if I don’t believe in her faith.”

“Those are all things you two can work out before you take another serious step.”

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