in sun-dappled shadow. I had a pile of dandelions I’d collected, and I was blowing them one at a time, the burst of seeds in the air setting off round after round of giggle fits from Giuliana.
Giuliana smelled like the organic, plant-based insect repellent my mother had sent me, probably without my father’s knowledge. Still, it smelled nice and each bright-scented whiff of it reminded me of the mother I hadn’t seen in too long.
As I blew flowers and thought of family, a throat clearing startled me.
I rolled up and shielded my eyes, only to discover Javi standing in my yard, a large take-out bag in his hand. “Busy?” he asked, and I could swear it sounded as if he were laughing at me.
“Horribly busy at the moment. Massive deadlines and an impossible-to-please boss. Who will probably need a bottle in about half an hour.”
His laugh threatened to shatter any remaining walls I had in my heart. “Tough b-boss. Will she let you take a lunch break?”
I couldn’t help but notice that when Javi was at ease, his stutter was barely there. Practically nonexistent. Since I usually heard a lot of stuttering from him, I wondered how hard it was for him to be comfortable around me. Worse, I was pretty sure I was the cause of most of his discomfort with my all-over-the-place emotions and sharp words.
But here he was, a possible peace offering in hand. Another chance for friendship, at least, so long as I didn’t screw it up. It was surprising that he was willing to try again—I’d been such an ass—but damned if I wasn’t grateful he was. “I think I can fit in a lunch break. Just don’t tell on me.”
Javi crossed his fingers over his heart then pressed them to lips that were so full I had to look away.
Javi sat on the corner of the blanket that Giuliana and I were sharing, and I realized there was no way for all of us to stay on the blanket comfortably without touching. So I moved carefully into a cross-legged position, knee barely brushing Javi’s. If he noticed, he didn’t indicate it.
Javi brought a variety of Thai curries and noodles and we sat in comfortable silence, munching and enjoying the sunlight and Giuliana’s babbling.
“So, Dane and Christian,” I finally said, knowing that the ball for conversation had been sitting in my court.
“Oh, god, yes,” he said, laughing. “What happened there?”
“I don’t know, but that’s the happiest I’ve seen Christian in forever.”
“Same with Dane.”
I shifted so that I was facing him, shielding my eyes from the sun. “I’m glad you came over, Javi,” I said, feeling my tummy flutter as I did. “I worried that I’d stepped in it too deeply with the hospital thing. I know I said I was sorry before, but truly, I need you to know how badly I feel about lashing out. No one deserves that, but especially not you.”
He rubbed a hand through his hair. “Why especially not me?” There was a soft, nervous edge to the question.
Because you’re amazing. You’re generous and quick-witted and so freaking astute. “Because you’ve been there for me like family, and we’re neighbors.”
Javi looked up, shutting his eyes against the harsh sun rays. “Just neighbors?”
This time he didn’t sound nervous at all. If anything, I wondered if there was a hint of amusement, like he was putting me on the hotseat on purpose. I felt the corner of my mouth tug up. “Not just neighbors, Javi. We work together at the center, too. Colleagues, then, and occasional accidental drinking buddies.”
He laughed. “No offense, b-but being your d-drinking buddy doesn’t come with the benefits I’m used to. It t-tends to be t-t-too projectile for my t-tastes.”
I huffed, pulling an indignant face. “Is anyone ever going to let me live that down?”
“Hell, no,” he said before another fit of laughter gripped him.
I shoved playfully at his shoulder and the touch sent strings of need through me, unexpectedly knotting themselves in my stomach. I loved touching him. When we connected, it was like all the circuits in my body lined up and I came alive. Desire began to uncoil in me, spools of heat licking their way slowly through my system.
Without thinking, I began to shift toward Javi, lifting and angling, lips tingling in anticipation of a kiss. He didn’t move, but I heard his sharp intake of breath. Maybe, just maybe...
Giuliana began to fuss before we could continue, throwing a handful of grass in my face.