28. The Right Person
28
The Right Person
Bridget
I nervously tuck my hair behind my ear for the fifth time, peering at my reflection in the mirror. Why am I making such a fuss? I’ve gone for yoga pants to keep things casual but the top I’ve chosen shows off a bit more cleavage than I intended. I don’t want to look like I’ve made too much effort, but it seems there’s no hiding it now.
In the kitchen, the turkey crown sits covered with a big plastic pot to keep Bella’s paws away. She paces around being a furry predator, sniffing at the food and making my life difficult. I try to shoo her out of the kitchen but she gives me her best “Puss the cat eyes” look, and of course, I cave.
The clock inches closer to eleven and then the doorbell chimes. Omar is here. I still haven’t decided what I’m going to do. I can’t exactly tell him how I feel today, of all days. Christmas isn’t the time to risk rejection, especially when it could ruin every Christmas to come. Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but still.
I head to the front door, trying to keep my nerves in check. I close the living room door so Bella can’t make a break for it and pull open the front door. There he is dressed in a beanie and a jacket and grinning like a child on Christmas morning. He’s holding a shopping bag in one hand and, to my utter surprise, a cat carrier in the other.
“You have a cat?” I blurt out.
“You might recognise him,” Omar says, a hint of mischief in his eyes. He holds up the carrier to reveal Zucca, snoozing peacefully inside.
I gasp. “Is that Zucca? Here? How?”
He shrugs, his smile softening. “I just wanted him with me. He reminds me of the best time of my life.”
I feel a tear slip down my cheek. Omar puts the shopping bag down and gently wipes my tears away. “Don’t cry,” he says softly. “It’s good.”
We squeeze into the small vestibule between the front door and the living room. Bella, behind the closed door, scratches impatiently. I can tell she’s not thrilled about being left out.
I close the front door and open the living room one. Bella immediately zeroes in on Zucca, sniffing his carrier with great curiosity. I carefully let Zucca out of the box and after a moment’s hesitation, Bella starts to lick him. Looks like these two are going to get along just fine.
Omar hangs his jacket on a hook by the door and turns to me. He’s wearing a grey button-down shirt and jeans, looking effortlessly hot.
“Merry Christmas, Bri.”
“Merry Christmas,” I reply, just before he pulls me into a tight hug. It’s not as intense as the airport farewell but it’s close. I inhale deeply, savouring the moment. I’ve missed him so much.
We stand there, wrapped up in each other, for what feels like both an eternity and a fleeting moment.
“Right, let’s get to work,” he says, breaking the spell. He follows me into the kitchen.
“What’s in there?” I ask, pointing at the shopping bag he’s brought.
“Well, only the finest dessert,” he says, pulling out a tray of little jars full of creamy Italian goodness.
“Tiramisu! Where did you get those?” I ask amazed.
“There’s an Italian place down the road,” Omar says, winking. “I know the owner. He owed me a favour so I made him give me six jars yesterday.” He places them in the fridge.
“Alright, chef,” he says grinning. “What can I do to help?”
After dinner, I lead Omar into the living room. Bella and Zucca are snuggled up together in the little basket by the fireplace, relaxing in the warmth. The twinkling lights around the room give it a cosy, almost romantic vibe. Even though it shouldn’t be romantic, I try to remind myself as we plop down on the sofa.
I steal glances at him and all I really want to do is slide over and kiss him. But I can't.
“Bri, can I ask you something?” he says, breaking the silence.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Do you… do you ever think about our trip?” He seems hesitant.
“I think about it all the time,” I admit, smiling a little. “Every day, something reminds me of it—something I see, hear, smell. It just was so perfect.”
“Yeah,” he says, his voice soft. “I wonder if I’m only remembering the good bits but it was just so… right. Even the Beast breaking down led to something beautiful.”
We sit in silence for a moment, just staring at the dancing flames in the fireplace.
Go on, say it I try to talk myself into telling him the truth.
“Omar,” I whisper before taking a deep breath. “I have to tell you something but you need to promise me that no matter what I say nothing will change between us.”
He looks at me, his expression unreadable. “What is it?”
“I think I’ve fallen in love with you,” I blurt out, my heart racing.
He’s quiet, his gaze fixed on me, and I brace myself for him to turn me down.
“I know we agreed it was just a holiday fling, and I don’t expect anything from you. But in my note, I asked Juliet to give me a sign and here you are. I didn't think we would spend more time together after the trip, but now that we are, it feels like a sign… and I am rambling. I just needed to say it out loud. I love you.” Nothing has ever felt more right than saying those three little words.
His eyes soften, and he takes a moment before responding. “Bri, I can’t promise that nothing will change after what you’ve just said.”
I hold my breath, waiting for him to finish.
“But I don’t want things to stay the same anyway. I want you in my life. I want to kiss you, make love to you, argue with you, and experience life together. I’ve realised I wasn’t interested in a relationship with just any person but I think you might be the right person for me.”
My heart skips a beat and I can't quite believe what I'm hearing. I pull him close and kiss him deeply.
“I love you, Omar,” I whisper against his lips.
His kiss fills the void that his departure left. I feel whole again, as if the pieces of my heart that were scattered are finally falling back into place. I’m his, and he’s mine. We might not be perfect but we’re perfect together.
As we pull away I think about Ruth and how she always said everything happens for a reason. If she could see me now, she’d probably say my trip took me exactly where I needed to be—straight to Omar, the love of my life.