Page 56 of Giovanni
The evening has been nothing short of incredible. I’m genuinely amazed at how Giovanni keeps surprising me. When I thought the night couldn’t get any better, he hints at another surprise waiting for us. My office overlooks the Aquarium, and I’ve often found myself gazing at the ferris wheel from my window, watching it turn while I’m on conference calls.
Despite its proximity, the thought of visiting never once crossed my mind. That’s one of the things I appreciate about Giovanni—his spontaneity and knack for gently pushing me beyond the boundaries of my usual routine. His surprises always lead to new experiences, making me step out of my comfort zone in the best possible way.
Full of a delicious dinner, warm from the heat of his truck, and sandwiched between us is our new shark. I’m both nervous and excited about spending the night at his house. I packed my bonnet, eyeglasses, and other things people usually don’t see about me, so I’m a little insecure about being this vulnerable in front of him. However, he’s already made it so comfortable for me to be myself I wonder if I’m completely overreacting.
He takes the same route as the other day to his loft, parking in his usual spot, and by the time we hit his front door with my bags on his shoulder, my stomach is swimming with nerves. He pauses long enough to flash me a mischievous grin when he unlocks the door.
“OK, if you don’t like it, we can take it down, but I think it would be really fun for us, considering this is our first sleepover.”
His voice also has a smidge of trepidation, which makes me feel better about the situation. However, I don’t think that our nervousness is not for the same reasons. Mine is to be fully vulnerable with someone other than myself. His is probably if I would like his surprise or not.
“I’m sure I’ll love whatever you have planned.”
His playful use of the term ‘sleepover’ has a charming innocence, contrasting humorously with the more adult nature of our relationship. His boyish excitement adds a light-hearted touch to the evening, making it all the more special.
As he swings open the door, the anticipation builds. He takes a few steps inside, tossing his keys onto the hall table and depositing my bags beside them.
“Wait, close your eyes.”
Before I can comply, his hands gently cover my eyes, and I can feel the warmth of his body against my back as he kicks the door closed and guides me forward. His voice is filled with eagerness. A growing curiosity about his plan replaces my lingering nerves.
“Okay, open them up.”
As his hands fall away, I’m greeted with a whimsical and romantic sight. The loft has been transformed into an indoor campout with a makeshift teepee in the center. Sheets, suspended from the massive industrial ceiling fan in the center of the living room, cascade down in a dramatic drape, creatinga cozy enclosure around his furniture. The white panels stretch out from the center of the fan and tuck neatly out of sight.
He leads me closer to the entrance, where pillows and blankets are arranged in a comfortable nest, creating an intimate retreat. Twinkling fairy lights are draped along the inside of the panels, casting a soft glow. It’s like stepping into a childhood fantasy but with a grown-up twist.
There is another opening on the opposite side, including the television displaying a crackling fire, with a tray of fruit and chilling wine thoughtfully laid out, perfect for a cozy night.
The entire setup is charming and ingenious, adding to the cocoon feeling I always feel at his place. He put a lot of thought and effort into creating this unique experience, making me like him even more.
“Wow! This is . . . magical.”
I gaze over my shoulder at him. He’s beaming, his eyes roaming his creative endeavor before returning to mine.
“You like it?”
“I love it!”
His arms circle me instantly when I lean into him, taking in the memorable sight.
“You always say my place is our cocoon, so I thought to make our own little campout inside our own little world,” he says, with a tight squeeze, resting his chin on the top of my head with a contented sigh. “It’s too cold outside for real camping, so I thought we could use a little adventure indoors.”
His explanation brings a warmth that goes beyond the cozy atmosphere of the makeshift camp.
“You’re always thinking of the most thoughtful things to do for me. I don’t know how I can top it.”
His chuckle vibrates through me, a sound of genuine happiness.
“Well, I aim to impress, but it’s not a competition, so no worries about topping it. This is as much for me as it is for you.”
Even though he says it, I’m not sure I completely believe it. He put in a lot of work to make this happen, to make it memorable for me that he didn’t have to, and I can’t let that go unacknowledged.
“This is some kind of wonderful.”
“No,youare some kind of wonderful.” He lifts his chin and walks us into the center of the teepee. With the twinkle lights surrounding us, he helps me onto the pillows and blankets arranged on the floor before swinging down next to me.
“What do you want to watch?”
