Page 36 of Romania
An abrupt laugh escaped me.
“Chéri, you are a true treasure, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Henri told Rommy, and I completely agreed.
She’d gotten me out of my head. Saved me from spiralling down that dark path.
I wanted to hug her for it.
And for me that was big because I didn’t like too much affection.
Yet, for Rommy….
Releasing her hand, I curled my arms around her shoulders and dragged her against me to hold on tightly.
Please don’t push me away.
Please let me hold you.
Please.
Too many times I’d thought no one would want me close to them. No one would want me to touch them. Too many times I’d been told I was ugly, useless, and disgusting. That I’d end up alone and miserable because no one could stand me.
Words after words bombarded my mind, mixing me up, messing me up where it was just easier to believe them.
When her arms wrapped around my waist, the tension rolled off my body, and I drew in a deep breath. She smelled of something fruity. Sweet, like she was.
Against my chest, she said, “Not that I mind having my face pressed against your breasts, but I’m having a major lady boner right now, and my hand doesn’t want to listen to my mind when I tell it I can’t grab your boob.”
Heat hit my face.
Still, she had me laughing and relaxing as we released each other.
I took her hand and mouthed, “Thank you.”
She winked.
Henri tapped the bar with his knuckles, gaining our attention so he could ask Rommy, “Chéri, are you into women?”
Rommy shrugged. “I love love. If they’re a guy or a girl or whoever they want to be… if I feel the attraction, I’m willing to explore. I want my happy ever after like Mum and Dad or Texas and Maya. I’m surrounded by love at home, and I know that one day I’ll find my person or people to live the rest of my life with.”
She was the most positive person I’d ever met.
I wasn’t sure anything could get her down. Hell, she’d been kidnapped and walked out fighting.
I loved her look on life and love.
In a mere matter of moments alone with her in my room, I felt like I could trust her, like I wanted to stick close and soak up her sunshine.
“That is a beautiful thing, chéri. And to know this at such a young age.”
I nodded. “Henri’s right.”
“Like always,” Henri added.
Snorting, I rolled my eyes. “I wouldn’t say always, but on this, yes. I’m twenty-seven, and I still don’t know what I want.”
“You will work it out, chéri.”
“Hey.”
