Page 77 of Beauty and the Beard

“How did I find someone as good as you?”

I swallow, blinking the fresh pricks of tears back. Thank fuck Roman talked sense into me about this man and I didn’t run completely.

“I could say the same thing.” Leaf murmurs. “Tell me what else you need. I’ll make it happen.”

“So, my best friend Roman, I told you about him. The one that’s just getting started designing lingerie?”

“Yes, I remember. He thinks I’m a hot lumberjack. Same guy, right?”

“Yes,” I laugh. “That’s him. Anyway, he’s part of my business plan. We don’t have any official contracts in place, but… he wants to follow me, Leaf.”

“Okay? And what do you need me to do?”

Nothing weird about asking the man you only just fell for to help your best friend who plans to follow you while you follow your heart.

“I was hoping you’d let him stay at the lodge. He’d pay, of course, but he’s a social person and I don’t want him staying ina new town by himself. I want to keep him close to me. We’d be more efficient, and I’d be closer to you, too.”

There’s a pause while I hold my breath.

“I’ll have to check the bookings, but I think we can make it happen once the summer is over. There’s a family suite that doesn’t get booked as often, so he’d have more space there. If he likes it, we can look at a long-term contract or move him to one of the cabins. Oh! What about the cabin on the sugar bush? We could always modernize it and he could stay there. Or it could be your studio!”

Leaf’s enthusiasm leaves me breathless. He keeps rattling off solutions to house Roman and make our business venture more profitable. He’s talking so fast with so many possibilities, all for me. I don’t really know what to say, except how I feel.

“I love you,” I whisper, and Leaf falls silent.

“What?” His voice, full of disbelief and hope, has me spew out everything I should have said to his face before I left.

“I love you. I love how you make me feel and talk to me like I’m a real person. I love how you never laugh at any of the stupid things I say when I clearly should know better. I love how you respect my wishes asking for space and I love that you make maple syrup like it’s no big deal when I think it’s the most amazing thing a person could make.” Closing my eyes, I picture Leaf in his living room, perhaps shirtless as he has his nightly tea or whiskey neat. “And I love that you have room for me in your life and your heart.”

“Sasha…”

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t say that to you in person before I left. I was scared, and I needed time to process everything I had swirling around in my head. But I promise it’s the first thing I’m going to say to you when I see you next.”

His voice is gruff with emotion. “When can I see you?”

“Are you free to come here? I think… no, I know, I’ll need someone after this court thing on Friday. I understand you can’t just take off, but if you could be here, I think I’d like that.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. When is your meeting?”

“Friday afternoon. 2 P.M.. Roman will be with me and it’s a closed door meeting. You can’t come in.”

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry you have to do this.”

And I know he means it. Not with pity, like I’m used to. But because he doesn’t want to see me hurt. If Leaf could wave a wand and make it all go away I know he would.

“Me too. But it'll be better knowing you’ll be waiting.”

I stifle a yawn and stare at the phone, wishing I could turn it into a real-life Leaf. I so badly want him to hold me and reassure me in person. To feel his strong arms around me and have his beard against my cheek.

“You need some sleep and I need to make some travel plans. Can you send me your address and anything else I should know before you get your rest?”

“I suppose you need that if you want to find me.” I laugh softly. “Thank you, Leaf. I’ll send you a text before I turn out the light.”

“I love you,mon amour. I’d wander the earth to find you, but an address would make it easier.”

My heart feels like it’s too big for my chest and after several more whispers of promises and love, I finally end the call with a new hope simmering.

And a lumberjack booking a flight to me.

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