26. Sebastian
Mila decides she would rather sneak in late at night, so not too long after dinner, she heads back to the hotel.
I definitely understand. She’s less likely to run into anyone at one in the morning, when she leaves, than midmorning, when any number of the interns or other staff members might notice her arrival. We both recognize the necessity of being discreet.
When I come downstairs Sunday morning, Arya is in her usual position on the sofa, Alfalfa on her lap.
“I left you some coffee,” she says.
“Thanks.”
“Which one of you touched my book?”
I smile inwardly. “I didn’t let Mila take it. I knew you would have a cow.”
“Exactly. She can get her own copy.”
I pour myself a cup of coffee and sit in the chair opposite of her. “Thanks for giving me space. It won’t always be necessary. Mila is nothing like Haley.”
Arya shrugs. “I’m sure. Haley was a real piece of work.”
Mom always said I was blind to women’s faults. Then she would laugh and say thank goodness. It certainly is useful for her and my sister.
But Mila isn’t like that. I’m sure of it.
Right?
Would I be able to see it?
Arya pets Alfie’s black head. “Besides, there is only so much that noise canceling headphones can really cancel.”
“What kind do you have?” I ask.
“I don’t know. Whatever came with my phone.”
“I’ll get you a new pair.”
“I hear those pricey Apple AirPods are great.”
“Done.”
She sits up. “I like this. What else can I shake you down for?”
I reach out to nudge her with my foot. “You don’t have to shake me down for anything. I am more than happy to attend to your every need. You don’t ask for much.”
Her eyes light up. “A one-hundred-dollar gift card to the children’s art supply website I like.”
“Done.”
“Wait. I meant to say two hundred.”
I laugh. “Done.”
She shakes her head. “You shouldn’t spoil me. It makes you an enabler.”
“I think it makes me a good big brother. I was in a hurry to be all adult and independent. Let me tell you from this side, it is not all it’s cracked up to be.”
“I shall take that advice, big brother.” She takes a long sip of coffee and sighs happily. “You didn’t say how it went.”
I settle back in my chair. “Really, really well. I like her a lot.”
She clasps her mug with both hands. “You’re a lot less grumpy in the mornings when you’ve gotten laid.”
I reach out to nudge her again, but she swings her legs to the other side, disturbing Alfalfa. He lifts his head with a yawn.
“When do I get to meet this mystery woman?”
“Soon, probably. Home is the safest place for us to be if we’re going to stay quiet about our relationship.”
Arya strokes Alfie’s ears. “True. You could run into anybody if you go out.”
“Especially as more and more of the staff meet her.”
“Will it be this way forever?” Arya asks.
“It will get out eventually. She’s just so new. I want to delay the inevitable.”
“You guys are hitting it pretty hot and fast. Sounds like another relationship I remember.”
Did I dive in like this with Haley?
But between Arya’s current concerns and my mother’s old one, I start to wonder. Are we headed to certain disaster? Can something like this ever work?
She’d been so vulnerable last night. She’s so young. And her experience is even less than I thought. Only a boy early in high school? And nothing after?
High school feels like eons away for me.
When I was graduating high school…Mila was in second grade.
I rub my forehead. What am I doing? I should let her find someone her own age.
Then I remember the feel of her in my hands. The way we fit together. How she trusted me.
I’m not letting her go. No way.
In fact, I pick up my phone to text her.
Me: Good morning, my mountain goddess.
Mila: Hey.
Me: Feeling okay this morning?
Mila: Amazing. Maybe a little worried. Is this fast? Sometimes it feels fast.
So she’s thinking it, too.
Me: You want to slow things down?
Mila: No. I was already thinking about coming over this afternoon for more.
I force my dick not to jump. I have an audience.
Me: I’m down.
Mila: But will you be down there?
Me: You bet I will.
Mila: Three?
Me: Definitely. Here?
Mila: If that’s okay.
I look up to my sister. “I think Mila’s coming back this afternoon.”
Arya’s eyebrows lift. “Is your dick made of gold?”
“Maybe.”
She shrugs. “Cammie and I were going to go see Casablanca this afternoon anyway. They’re having a live band play the music.”
“What time?”
“Two-thirty, I think.”
“Perfect.”
She scrunches her face. “You guys won’t be naked somewhere downstairs when I get back, will you?”
I press my hand to my heart. “I vow not to be naked with Mila in any open area of the house after four-thirty.”
“Deal.”
I tap a message back to Mila. Sounds great.
I told Mila not to listen to any negative voices in her head.
Time for me to do the same.