The Next Best Thing: Part II

Fifty-Eight

I scooted closer to him on the wide sofa, stretching my legs across the two places and resting my head against his chest. "He also bought me, well us, a house down in LA. I really didn't know what to say to a lot of things he told me. I could only apologise, you know."

"I know," he answered knowingly. His demeanor shifted suddenly and he took my hands into his. "I've been meaning to tell you something now, baby." The last time he uttered words like that, he told me he loved me. I moved again, this time to look him in the eyes. He inhaled and I held my breath, unaware of what to expect.

"Before I met you, Zo, I was in a serious relationship too." What? "It's taken me so long to finally tell you, but I can't keep things from you." What! "That's not us, and not our relationship." I urged him on, sidelined by his sudden revelation. It sure took him long enough.

"I was engaged to my high school girlfriend, and we were going to get married and start a family. My mom wasn't the biggest fan of our relationship because we come from different worlds and my dad will always side with my mom."

This enigma was a rich thorough-bred Californian whose parents decided with an education in England, the land of the prim and proper, their wayward daughter would finally grow up into a respectable individual. Although I was nothing like her, Eoin and I too came from different worlds and I didn't know what that meant for us.

"We were so young and foolish, babe. I want you to know that. A few days before we would elope she left, more like disappeared. No note, no call, nothing. Just the ring I gave her, my promise to be hers forever."

My heart sank. I was upset at Eoin, upset that he thought it was okay to keep this from me for so long. I just expected us to be able to tell each other everything, no matter what. I of all people knew firsthand, and very darn well, how much losing the one you love hurts. He knew full well that I'd let myself hurt in front of him, because that's how I thought our relationship should always be: open and honest.

"Did you love her?" I whispered, my gaze never faltering from his face.

"I did. But it's different with you. It was nothing like I feel right now. Zo, I want you to know that I didn't intend on this being a secret between us. It's always been my intention to tell you, but I needed time. It didn't take me long to move on from her because I met you, but I needed to let myself fall in love with you. I was afraid you would be a fleeting moment too, and if you don't already know this, you're the best thing that's happened to me. I am grateful that it took both of us getting our hearts broken to be together."

I had to cry, I just had to cry. I loved Eoin, and I trusted him with everything. I understood his reasoning, but I still felt sad. I felt a little betrayed and I couldn't shake it. It would be a while before I trusted him with my whole heart again.

"I thought you were perfect, but..." I began, mumbling my words between my sobs.

"Zoe, don't do this," he pleaded, lifting my chin to his face. His eyes searched mine for forgiveness, for mercy, begging me not to hurt him. In this moment, Eoin was vulnerable. But so was I.

"Wait, I'm not finished. Here I thought you were infallible, perfect and just amazing. But it turns out you were once just as messed up and broken as me."

I pulled his face to mine, and our noses pressed against each other, our eyes interlocked. I sniffled back a few tears and continued in a shaky voice. "I love you, Eoin. So I'm going to ask you right now to never hold anything back. Everything that is important in your life is important to me now. Never shut me out, please? I don't what I would do if you shut me out because I love you, so much."

I broke down again, this time in his warm embrace. I thought he was going to be taken away from me, and I knew I wouldn't be able to cope if that ever happened. I had never felt this way about any man before Eoin. This was me, surrendering myself to love, to a Cupid painted blind.

He kissed me sweetly, holding tight to my body, to show that he'd never leave me. To show me that he loved me. I kissed back reluctantly, teardrops streaming down my cheeks and falling on his upper lip - he wasn't phased. "Zoe, don't cry. You're so beautiful when you cry, and it draws so much attention to your face. We don't want that, do we?" he breathed into my neck. "I'm not going anywhere baby. I promise you, I'll always be here. I'll always be the hero in your sky." He kissed my lips again. "I'll always be here."

...

Mitchell

I let myself into her apartment, and I found her on the couch, nursing a handsome glass of red wine.

"Hey, you're back," she cooed, pausing to take a large gulp before continuing the small talk. "How was your day?"

"Good. It was good, thanks." I tried not to convey my true feelings, an overwhelming mixture of happiness and relief. I fell in love with her again that day, with her spirit, her happiness, her friendship.

"How's Zoe? She's with Eoin now, right?"

"She's good and yes, they are together."

"Hm, I'm glad." She left the couch and headed to the kitchen in silence, a silence that spoke volumes to me.

My relationship with Paisley was not a serious one, just two good friends who enjoy each other's company and a little more from time to time. She wasn't Zoe, she wasn't my girlfriend, but I couldn't deny my feelings for her creeping up to the surface as our bond became stronger. And she couldn't hide how she felt about me, how she was falling for me. 

"I'm going to order some dinner, unless you'd like to go out for a change. What would you like to have?"

She was upset, her voice sad and laced with disappointment. I joined her in the next room where she sat on the kitchen counter, digging through a few take-out menus. I knelt before her, taking her hands into mine as I apologised.

"I'm sorry, darling. You understand how much I want to keep my private life as quiet as possible. I want to take you out on the town, I do, but it can't become a big media frenzy." I lifted her chin with my thumb and gazed into her captivating eyes. "I promise you, sweetheart. Let me make it up to you?"

Before long I was tangled up with her under the covers, her mangled waterfall of tresses cascading down my chest and her naked body pressed against mine. Paisley Reiner slept in my arms that night, and many such nights, but only Zoe slept in my heart.