Page 59 of Here In Your Arms

Chapter 22

Rory

My heart hasn’t felt this light in a long time. The picnic that Wes took me on gave me an opportunity to explain my depression to someone in a way I haven’t been able to before. It was freeing, and I find myself wondering, not for the first time, if I seriously need to consider counseling again. I’ve thought about it before, but money’s been too tight. Let’s face it, I really do need it, but finances still won’t allow for it.

Moving my thoughts away from counseling and finances, I turn my attention to today. Kyle and I are spending some time together today and I’m looking forward to it. The guys are making an effort to allow everyone one-on-one time and I appreciate the gesture. It’s wonderful when the three of us are together, but being with one at a time gives us a chance to know each other better. After Wes and I talked yesterday, I gave him permission to share with Kyle what I told him. I’ll be surprised if Kyle doesn’t have his own questions. It feels unexpectedly good to share it, so I don’t mind at all.

Kyle picks me up at my apartment, coming all the way to the door like Wes did instead of texting me to come out. The chivalrous act is not lost on me, and I smile when I open the door to his handsome face. He smiles back and steps in close to my body. I wrap my arms around his neck without hesitation and bring his lips to mine.

He meets me greedily, and we devour each other in the doorway to my apartment. Our lips wrestle for control, but when our tongues start to dance, I melt into him, savoring the hard planes of his body that contrast with the softness of his mouth. Kyle’s hands wrap around me, one resting in the small of my back and the other holding the back of my head as he presses closer. I moan softly at the pleasure of feeling him against me and he breaks the kiss.

He greets me. “Hi.”

“Hey.”

“That was a nice welcome.”

“I was just going for a hug. You got us all hot and bothered,” I say with a joking smile.

“I’m gonna let you win this one just because you’re pretty.”

Laughing, I let go of his neck, and Kyle releases me in turn. I sling my purse over my shoulder and we step out, locking the door behind us. Kyle’s car is well kept, similar to Wes’ truck, but his car is newer and nicer. We settle in and he takes off to our destination.

“Have you ever been to the gardens?”

“A few times, Claire likes them, so sometimes we’ll go and wander around outside to see all the different plants and outdoor displays.”

“Man, I haven’t been in a long time. Maybe we should all come here with Claire sometime. She can show me and Wes her favorites.”

“She would love that,” I tell him, grinning.

After we park, Kyle takes my hand as we walk to the building. It’s comfortable and familiar. I feel more grounded and sure of how things are progressing when little things like that happen. Once we pay our way in, we wander around the inside for a bit.

The gardens have an indoor area with greenhouses set to specific temperatures and climates, and an outdoor space with varying displays of art and seasonal plants that are native to this climate. Sometimes there are special displays, but this time of year there’s nothing going on, so the crowds aren’t as crazy as they could be.

As we’re walking through the arid climate display, I see some movement out of the corner of my eye. I turn to look at the movement, but I can’t see anyone nearby. That’s odd. There are a few blind spots in this area, but it’s pretty open for the most part. I take a step closer to Kyle on instinct.

“You okay?” he asks, keeping my hand tight in his.

“Just thought I saw something, but nobody’s there and it freaked me out.”

“I hate when that shit happens. Makes me feel paranoid, or like there’s a ghost or something.”

“Wait, do you believe in ghosts?”

He shrugs. “I don’t not believe in ghosts, but I’ve never actually experienced that kind of thing. The thought freaks me out more than anything.”

“So, confession time. I friggin’ love ghost shows.” I hold my breath a little after saying that, not sure how he’ll react. People either laugh at me for that, or they’re just as obsessed with them.

He tips his head to the side and looks at me as we walk down the path. “I don’t know that I’ve ever watched one.”

My jaw drops in shock. “Well, I know what we’re doing next movie night. Ghost shows!”

“That’s not a movie night.”

“Semantics.”

He chuckles and this time, I’m sure I see someone walking through the doors on the other side of the room. My adrenaline kicks in when I realize this person looks a lot like Nathan.

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