The Next Best Thing: Part II

Twenty-Nine

Lily made Min open her gifts while I cooked, watching as they unwrapped them and took to Instagram to post snapshots in gratitude of the presents.

Daniel Gregory, an old friend of both Rae and Min got her a framed vintage '70s flannel shirt signed by rock greats throughout the ages. He'd always liked her so it made sense he went all out for her gift. After all, everyone at some point liked her.

Nala Seinfeld, one of Rae's best friends, got her sage to rid of any evil spirits in her home, any negative omens that could bring bad luck and bad vibrations.

"Is she still dating Toby?" I asked Min and she nodded her head. "Figures."

Toby McCoven, a rich Californian pro surfer with long blonde dreadlocks, was the biggest stoner I'd ever met and a licensed chemist who had studied bio-medical engineering at Stanford and had a BA in business.

Nala was obsessed with his live off the earth personality, his contagious positivity and his 'legal' but very sketchy herb farm.

"She's in love, Zoe," Lily protested.

"With his meds, yeah," I retorted. Rae attracted all the weird friends, most of which had minor drug problems.

Min opened Eoin's two gifts last, excited to see what my Irishman had up his sleeve. "I know he wants my approval. Poor boy needs it or else you two won't be getting naked ever."

"Gosh, Min! Just shut up and opening the damn thing," I scolded. "Thanks for the visual by the way," I added sarcastically.

"Oh, I know you're welcome. He's hot," she winked.

Her first present was a contemporary painting of two people who seemed to be making love. It was a provocative piece Eoin guessed Min would love - he guessed right.

"It's beautiful, Zoe. He's an amazing artist," she cooed. That he most certainly was. "He must really like you, babe."

I shrugged, blushing internally at how sweet Eoin was. He knew how much my friends meant to me so he treated them with the same generosity and kindness as he did me. He was breaking my heart.

He also got her a pretty stained glass vase with a note attached to it: "For all the tulips I'll bring Zoe in the future, Eoin."

It felt good to know someone had such feelings for me, considering how much I'd gone through. I didn't object when he called to invite me for a Halloween weekend away - we were just two very good friends who loved each others' company.

"Well it's about damn time," Min exclaimed. "He's so hot for you, Zo. You lucky, lucky girl."

He showed up at my door late on Thursday night, shaking off his wet coat dampened by the rain pelting into the evening. I had spent the entire day deliberating over what to wear for our flight, a flurry of emotions tingling up my spine.

I was in an anxious and excited anticipation of the weekend ushered in by a lengthy flight with my 'friend' - Eoin wasn't just a friend anymore after the development of my feelings of him.

"Are you ready, Zoe?" he asked me with a smile, carrying my luggage down for me. I nodded in silence and he led me out into the rain.

His car was parked at the entrance; he politely opened the door for me and drove us out to the airport.

A day and a half later, we arrived in the land of kilts and bagpipes, greeted by an icy frost that held water over New York. The grey sky darkened the vibrant city of Glasgow and illuminated the eve of the Pagan holiday.

"We might have to snuggle up together for the whole night tonight because of the weather," he winked at me on the way to his cousin's home in one of the city's upmarket suburbs.

"I hope Gaia makes you sleep in the cellar," I retorted. "Maybe you'll learn a valuable life lesson."

"You break my heart, Zoe," he cried, feigning hurt, holding a hand to his chest.

Gaia Macken welcomed us into the home she shared with her longterm boyfriend, an old boarding school buddy of Eoin.

She was running around making sure everything was perfect for the next day's proceedings, taking phone calls every five minutes and allowing many people into her humble mansion.

"My girl's such a perfectionist," Kian explained while taking us to our room.

Assuming that we were in a romantic relationship, Gaia had them prepare one of their many pretty guest rooms for Eoin and I.

"You two get settled. We'll be downstairs if you need anything. Dinner's probably going to be at midnight. So, just in case you get hungry, I know a place that delivers pizza at all times of the night."

It opened into the spacious backyard blanketed by puffy white sheets of snow. Our bags had been taken up for us and I found a note from Gaia on the right nightstand addressed to me. It informed me of some special bath salts she'd gifted to me in the event that I'd want to wallow in a luxurious bath.

A pine wood fire was crackling in an open fireplace adjacent to the king-sized bed occupying the middle of the floor. The bedroom was very warm and intimate, a space conducive for getting to know someone on a personal level.

Not wanting to inconvenience or bother my already busy hostess, I didn't object to the sleeping arrangements. It was only for three nights and I could handle it.

"I'll take the couch, Zoe," Eoin offered, walking off to the left of the room. "I don't mind."

"No!" I objected, more than likely raising my voice inappropriately. "I mean, I don't want you to be uncomfortable. That bed is massive. I'm sure there's more than enough space."

I plopped onto the edge and patted the side next to me for him to sit. "Please?" He sauntered to my side and sat beside me, gazing into my profile.

"I might get cold at night and I don't like sleeping alone."

He hooked his arm around my shoulders and kissed my forehead affectionately, running a finger down my cheek. He tucked a loose strand behind my ear, and instructed, "Go take a bath. It'll make you warmer. You're cold to the touch."

He went into the bathroom to run some water into the tub as I got out of my skinny jeans and layered top outfit.

"I'll be downstairs making dinner for all of us. I figure they could use some help."