Chapter 166: Invitations
- RORY -
Dex’s guest house is the size of a regular house, and it’s way bigger than my apartment. I can’t believe this qualifies as a "guest house" at all, but I suppose it is the smaller of the two houses on the property.
When I finally decided to start staying here to give Dex and Raya the privacy they deserve, I chose the loft to sleep in rather than one of the two bedrooms on the lower floor. It’s open and for that reason maybe less secure, but it also feels like I can oversee the whole house this way. If anyone were to come in unannounced, I would know immediately. There would be no hearing noises outside the bedroom door and then staring at the knob wondering if it was going to turn or jiggle... a recurring nightmare of mine.
When I wake in the morning after sleeping in the loft the first time, I immediately check my phone. It’s just to see the time of course, but like usual there is a text from Luciano waiting. I don’t read it yet, because I’m not quite awake. But I roll back onto the pillow and smile to myself, resting the phone on my chest.
Luciano is still a pest. He still teases and flirts, but it’s the sweeter kind now. It’s more sensitive and careful. And how he can pull that off over text message is beyond me. People always misunderstand me over text. I’m surprised Luciano is still talking to me since this is the only way we communicate, and I’m sure I’ve come across as short and uncaring more than once. It doesn’t seem to phase him.
His persistence is causing him to grow on me, and that alone makes me a little uncomfortable. What happens when he stops texting me? If I’m being honest, the only reason I even bother opening my eyes this early in the morning isn’t actually to check the time. It’s because I have something to look forward to, even if it’s something small. At this point, I might actually consider Luciano a friend.
After washing my face and padding out to the kitchen to make coffee for myself for a change, I finally read the text he sent.
"Good morning, dolcezza. Are you up for dinner tonight? I’m curious about how my moonlight cactus is doing."
I smile at the mention of the flower, knowing full well he is referring to me. And it’s sweet to invite me to dinner. It’s been two weeks since he came with food, but... I can’t. I just can’t.
I bite my lip staring at the text, unable to find the right words to respond. It would require explaining, and as much as we pass friendly messages back and forth, we don’t talk about real stuff. We don’t talk about what happened the day of the funeral. We don’t talk about our pasts. We don’t talk about feelings. Maybe I can just pretend I didn’t see this text from him.
With a sigh, I set the phone down and open the refrigerator. Of course it’s fully stocked with food, and none of it is moldy or expired. Does Dex have someone who keeps everything up-to-date in here? I know he doesn’t have time to do it himself, and I can’t imagine my sister doing it.
Raya didn’t even keep her own refrigerator full when she lived in the apartment. I think she would rather rely on sandwiches or ramen everyday than have to put in the effort of a shopping list of ingredients that require cooking.
My phone buzzes on the counter, and I reach for it a little worried that it might be Luciano with a follow up question. There have been zero expectations of anything between us so far, and that’s part of why I like hearing from him. If that changes, I don’t think I’m going to be able to avoid squashing this friendship.
But it’s not Luciano. It’s Dex.
I frown and open the message. He never texts me. I only have his number out of... potential necessity in the future, I guess.
’Good morning, Rory. Are you available for a phone call?’
My frown deepens. This is weird.
I search myself, doing some inner diagnostics to decide if I have the energy for a phone conversation. Even if I don’t, I probably shouldn’t blow Dex off. I’m living in his guest house now, and he has been kind enough to allow me to stay with him and Raya for the past several weeks. And I haven’t exactly been friendly like I probably should have been.
Dex is a great guy, and I appreciate him. I’m so happy Raya found him... or dreamed him into reality. Who knows how exactly their relationship happened?
It feels like a higher power brought them together, that’s for sure. Because it’s been only a few months, and I don’t think anyone could argue with the fact that Raya and Dex are soulmates. It’s obvious even to an outsider. Those two are going to grow old together. And if anyone deserves someone like that, it’s my sister.
’Yep, I’m available.’ I type out and send the message back. A moment later, my phone rings.
"Hello," I say on a sigh. I sound much more tired and exasperated than I mean to, and I immediately regret it.
"Hey," Dex says. "I don’t mean to bother you. I was just wondering if you have a minute for me to run something by you."
A beat of silence passes, and I guess he needs me to say something before he proceeds with whatever is on his mind. "Okay."
"First, how is the guest house? Is everything okay there? If there’s anything else you need..."
"It’s great," I interrupt before he can offer anything else.
There has already been so much generosity and kindness—more so than I have experienced from anyone else—and I don’t think I can handle being the recipient of more. I already feel indebted to him even if he is Raya’s guy.
"Thank you for letting me stay here. It’s very comfortable."
"Oh good. It’s no problem at all. Anything you need, just let us know," he says, and I can sense him silently contemplating if he should go on about what he has really called for.
"Is everything okay?" I ask, fidgeting with the hand towel that I tossed on the counter.
"Yeah. Uh, listen... I hate to ask. But it looks like I’m going to be able to take some time off. I want to take Raya somewhere, and I was thinking of surprising her."
"Oh. That’s great. She will love that," I tell him.
They both deserve that. They should go away for awhile. Dex didn’t even take time off after his father died. I doubt he’s really had time to process anything that’s happened. Not to mention the fact that his cousin killed his brother...
My stomach turns at the reminder, and I swallow the difficult emotions down.
"Well the trip isn’t the surprise," he says. "I asked her to marry me awhile back. I’m not sure if she’s mentioned it."
She hasn’t mentioned it, but I’m not surprised either.
"That’s great," I say, feeling hollow even with the words that I truly do mean. But I can’t manage to pull the emotions together that are required to really feel anything other than empty.
"I want to surprise her with a small, intimate ceremony. It’s not really the right time for a big wedding, but I don’t know when the right time would be with everything going on. And I..."
"You don’t have to explain, Dex," I assure him. "I get it. She will love it."
"You think so?"
There’s a hint of insecurity to his question that makes me smile. He cares about her so much.
"I know she will."
Dex blows out a breath, and I have to restrain a chuckle. It’s adorable, and I’m honestly honored he would call to consult me about something he is unsure about with Raya. It makes me feel useful for a change.
"Thanks, Rory."
"Of course," I tell him. I’m ready to hang up when he goes on.
"So that brings me to my question."
Oh? I thought that was his question.
"What’s the question?" I ask, puzzled. Does he need help picking out a ring? "Raya’s taste in jewelry is pretty simple..."
"No, that’s not it. But thank you. I was actually wondering if you might be up to coming with us. Would you do your sister and I the honor of being one of our witnesses?"
My mouth opens, but nothing comes out. I definitely wasn’t expecting that.
"If you aren’t up to it, it’s okay. I considered not asking, but I know it would mean a lot to Raya if you were there. Maybe you can think about it."
"When do you need to know by?" I ask, drumming my fingers nervously on the counter. This isn’t something I can easily say no to.
"Um... 4 pm?" He chuckles.
"When are you leaving?!" I exclaim.
"I’d like for us to leave Monday. That will give me two weeks with her before I really need to come back."
It takes me a few seconds to realize that my mouth is hanging open, and I wet my lips, preparing to answer. I have to do this for them. Maybe it will be good for me, too. Who knows?
"Okay," I say, not sounding confident in my answer at all. "Sure. Of course. I would love to be there."
