Page 83 of Here and Now
I breathe in, giving myself a sliver of permission. “Could you maybe kiss me?” I ask.
“I can definitely kiss you. If that’s what you want.”
He leans down, his mouth just a breath away from mine. It feels like a choice. That he’s allowing me the option whether or not to let it go further. He has no idea how much that little pause means to me.
My hands move up his chest, cupping his face, and I bring our lips together and melt into his touch.
All day I’ve been a bundle of nerves. Each time the door chimed that there was a customer, I kept hoping it was him. Then, as I was leaving for work, I thought maybe Miles would be there at my car. Why? I have no idea. I just wanted to see him.
Instead of him showing up, Justin, the tree man, as I’ve now dubbed him, is here on my front step with a shovel and atree.
“Hi, Justin.”
“Ma’am. It’s good to see you.”
“You as well. Are you doing okay?”
“I am.”
That’s good. “Did my landlord not pay you, or is there another tree with an issue?”
He shakes his head. “No, ma’am. I’m here with a note and directions to stay until you’ve made a decision.”
“Okay . . .”
I take the note from him and smile.
Penny,
Trees have roots and roots grow deep. I think you should put some roots down here in Ember Falls. Make Justin plant this anywhere you want where you can watch it grow.
Miles
“Why does he have to be so sweet?” I ask aloud.
“I think his gran has a lot to do with it,” Justin replies.
I look up, forgetting he was there. “Right. Sorry. So you have to plant this?”
“Miles gave me strict instructions you could decide where it went, and I’m not allowed to leave until it’s in the dirt.”
“I see. What if I don’t know where to put it yet?”
Justin looks a little afraid and shifts his weight. “Umm, well, then I guess we can put it in a pot and just tell him it was planted.”
I burst out laughing. “I think that defeats his purpose, but I sort of love the idea.”
“Do you want to do that then?”
“Yes, let’s do that. I think I saw a big enough pot out in the shed.”
“All right.”
I head to where the previous owner had a lot of gardening supplies. Back in the corner is a huge ceramic pot that will be perfect. It’ll also be funny, since I know for sure that this isn’t what Miles had in mind.
I heft the thing out of the corner and roll it. After ten minutes and sweat trickling down my forehead, I call for Justin.
He comes back, and together we move it close to where the tree that almost took out my house is.
