Page 29 of Wanted

He raises his hands, defending himself. Damn, why does he have to be so handsome?

Much has changed, yet so much remains the same. Lionel is a gorgeous man and knows how to use it to his advantage.

I have to be strong because our problems are only just beginning.

“Get your mind out of the gutter,” he tells me. “I’m not assuming anything. Look, the bed is wider than America, we can put some pillows in the middle and that’s it, each one sleeps on a different side of the Mississippi.”

As I said before, this man is an expert at getting his way… Especially with that innocent face.

“Look, you can sleep in Kentucky, and I’ll be here in California.”

“Oh no… the chicken,” I squeak, remembering I left it in the fryer. I need to be careful, or it will end up burning.

Like I am right now.

I run down the stairs like the whole house is on fire and the laughter I hear behind me doesn’t go unnoticed, accompanied by his words spoken in that hoarse voice, “Saved by the bell.”

Just my luck, the fried chicken is a long way from ready, so I take care of putting the pie in the oven, no, I’m not Wonder Woman. I didn’t make this one, this is one that Lionel’s housekeeper made.

“I’ll set the table,” he announces, walking into the kitchen. I’m not buying his I-am-a-good-boy act. This man is as dangerous as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

“Do we have a table?” I question but he doesn’t reply, he just smiles as he searches for the silverware in the drawer.

Half an hour later, as the sun is going down, we are sitting outside on a wooden platform on the farthest side of the patio. We had to walk back and forth several times to bring our dinner here, but it was worth it.

“Look, it’s my very own authentic version of Kentucky Fried Chicken made specially for me.”

“Don’t be an ass,” I reply, although it makes me smile. A regular dinner, finally!

The atmosphere is romantic and seductive, we didn’t turn the lamps on, so our little corner is only lit by the rays of the sun setting on the horizon and a couple garden lights.

“This is perfect,” I say, contemplating the colors painted across the sky and melting into the sea. “Beautiful.”

“Beautiful, indeed,” he replies, but he isn’t looking west at the sunset. Lionel has his eyes fixed on me.

For a moment I don’t know what else to say, until I remember the place where we are eating.

“Did you send someone to buy the table?” Because earlier when I was out here, there was nothing.

He laughs, wiping his mouth on the napkin. “I’m not that impulsive, Stella,” he replies. “The table was there, in the pool cabana, I just asked for it to be brought here. I thought you would enjoy the view.”

Lionel points across the pool. The construction is simple and follows the same design as the rest of the house, a roof supported by gray wooden pillars with white molding.

“Thank you,” I really mean it, it’s a nice touch.

Again I’m surprised at how much Lionel has changed these past few days. On the outside, he looks the same, still as attractive as a devil, however, his behavior is so different. The way he moves his hands, the way he looks at me, and talks to me. The way he smiles at me.

This is messing with my head. With my heart too.

People aren’t like stereos where you can just hit skip to the next song, how can someone change so much overnight?

Despite my questions, I really like this switch.

It’s easy to talk to this Lionel. He talks less and listens more. He pays attention to the things I say to him, making me feel understood.

“When are you planning on taking the SATs?” There he goes again, another question that catches me off guard.

“I don’t know.” That’s the truth. “I have to check online for the calendar, but sometimes my phone freezes. Had I brought my laptop, it would have been easier. I still have time to figure it out. The real question is where am I going to take it, here or back home?”

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