A Gaze to Remember

Chapter 13 - His Favorite Person, Her Hidden Feelings

FIRDAY 23 AUGUST 2024

Another Friday in Rome. Vivienne woke up feeling refreshed and decided to take her time in the shower, letting the hot water soothe her. She didn't have any specific plans for the day, but she figured she'd probably end up seeing Reid. They hadn't made any definite arrangements, but it had become a routine. They saw each other every day, and honestly, it would feel strange not to.

After her shower, Vivienne made herself a light breakfast, then got dressed. She spent a little extra time on her makeup and even curled her hair. She glanced in the mirror, pleased with the way she looked. She felt pretty—actually, very pretty today. Reid would definitely think so if he saw her. He always made her feel beautiful, even if he didn't express any romantic interest. But knowing that he found her attractive gave her a quiet boost of confidence. She was starting to realize it more and more.

Just as she was finishing up, there was a knock at her door. Vivienne opened it to find Reid standing there, holding a bottle of white wine in one hand and a huge bouquet of red roses in the other. He flashed her that charming smile she had grown so used to.

"Reid, hi! Come in," she said, surprised but happy to see him. "What are you doing here?"

He handed her the flowers, his smile cheeky and playful. "I thought I'd stop by to see what my favorite person was up to today," he replied casually.

Vivienne couldn't help but smile as she smelled the roses. They were stunning. She quickly found a vase, filled it with water, and arranged the flowers. After placing them on her table, she walked over and hugged Reid, her gratitude clear. "These are beautiful, thank you."

Reid opened the bottle of wine without a second thought, taking a sip as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "You're welcome," he said with a grin. "Figured it was time to check in on you."

Vivienne raised an eyebrow as he casually sipped the wine. "Don't you think it's a little early to start drinking?" she teased.

"Never too early to drink, Viv. Never," he replied with a wink, taking another sip and offering her the bottle.

Vivienne laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"That's part of my charm," Reid said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, what's the plan for today? I'm thinking we should go on some kind of adventure. Or we can just drink this wine and see where the day takes us."

Vivienne thought for a moment, her mind still lingering on the bouquet of roses. She felt warm inside, not just from Reid's gesture but from the ease they had with each other. She knew that no matter what they did, it would be another memorable day.

"Let's just take it easy," she finally said. "We could head to the park, bring the wine with us, and relax. It's such a nice day out."

Reid nodded, clearly pleased with the idea.

And just like that, their day was set in motion. Simple, spontaneous, and undeniably them.

Yet again, they found themselves at the park, sitting in their usual spot beneath the shade of a large tree. The familiar bottle of white wine rested between them, and as always, their knees and arms touched lightly. It wasn't a new sensation, but every time it happened, it felt special—almost electric. There was something about the closeness that made it feel more intense than it should have, as if every inch of contact carried more meaning than either of them would admit.

Vivienne glanced over at Reid, who was staring off into the distance, lost in his own thoughts. His hand casually brushed against hers as he shifted, and she couldn't help but feel a quiet thrill, even though they'd sat like this so many times before. It was comfortable yet charged, the kind of connection that didn't need words.