Finding me

Chapter 28 - Maybe with a bit of shoe polish?

But getting to know her better was now more important than me wanted to kiss her. I knew that she hesitated, scared that I would use her and drop her once Hailey was back. And being completely honest, I wasn't sure how I would react on Hailey.

She placed a little kiss on my scar, and I really loved that when she did that. Like she wanted to tell me that she accepted everything of me.

"What do you want to do?" I asked her, and when I saw her eyes light up, I held my heart for what she wanted to do.

"Do you want to play scrabble?" she asked.

"Yeah, why not." I shrugged.

"Really?" I nodded and she jumped off the couch almost tripping over her feet to get the game.

She put the box in my hands "I'm going to change. I need to be comfortable for this." She clapped her hands excitedly. She took my bag with her to her room. I placed the box on the coffee table and pulled off my shoes, making myself also comfortable. She yelled from her room "do you want to change too?"

"Yeah." I stood up and went to her room, changing in comfortable shorts. When I came back in the living room, she had put some snacks on the table and poured out drinks.

"You are going all out uh?" I teased her.

"Is it too much?" she asked unsure.

"No Rose, not at all. Let's play."

40 minutes later I understood why she loved this game. I should have now, she has a degree in english literature, she works as an editor and reads a lot. She was winning big time. I was ready to give up when Iris entered her apartment. Rose narrowed her eyes at Iris, who shook her head at us.

"I thought Mom forbade you playing that game?" Iris asked when she saw the game.

"Mom isn't here." Ros muttered.

"Why can't she play it anymore?" I asked.

"Are you winning?" Iris asked.

"No, not really."

"Of course not, nobody can win from her." She snorted. "William did try though; he came the closest."

"What are you doing here Iris?" Rose asked.

"I came to return your spare key."

"Thanks, you can leave it on table."

"Rose, are you free to go wall-climbing this week?"

"Yeah, maybe Wednesday after I'm ready with Victoria? Around 5pm?"

"Yes, I see you there. Dinner afterwards?"

Rose glanced in my direction before she said "Yes, I'm free."

"Okay, see you then. Have fun you two."

"So, they forbade you to play scrabble?" I asked when Iris was gone.

She waved me away "they just can't stand losing."

"I'm going to have to find something I can beat you in."

"I don't see why that would be necessary." She smiled back.

"Every now and then I like to win too."

"I'm sure that you will be better in math. Or drawing, I really can't draw."

"Neither can I, but I'm good in math."

After the game we watched a movie, ordered some take out and watched a second movie. Later in bed she pulled off my prosthesis and started to give a massage.

"So, what color is my dress?" She asked.

"Why do you want to know?" I asked her.

"I need to know which color my shoes, purse and jewellery need to be."

"Maybe black." I suggested.

"Really?" She left my massage and walked towards her closet, going through it till she pulled out a pair of black heels. Tossing them on the bed she pulled a little black purse out. "What do you think?" she asked.

I took one of the heels in my hands and scratched the back of my head "I really don't like saying this Rose, but they are too worn-out."

"You think? Maybe with a bit of shoe polish?"

She was adorable, and when she sat back down on the bed with her shoe still in her hand, I pulled her closer "I already have bought you shoes that fit the dress, Rose. And you can leave your stuff in my room. No need for a purse."

"And jewellery?"

"Not too much please. A bracelet or a necklace, earrings but simple and elegant."

"That's something I do have." She stood back up and came back with a little box. "I got this from my grandma for my 14th birthday." She pulled out a very thin golden necklace with a small ruby in it, it had the shape of a rose. And tiny earrings with the same ruby in them.

"They are perfect Rose." I told her.

"Grandma bought for her three granddaughters a set like these but with a different stone in it."

"I like that idea. What did she give Thorn?"

"A watch." She placed everything back in the black box and put it away.

"I have never seen him wear it."

"He doesn't like the watch that much; he did wear it every time we saw grandma."

She started massage my leg again until she yawned a few times "Go sleep Rose, you are tired."

"But your leg?" she started.

"Hey, I am not here to get a massage. I like them a lot, I'm not going to deny that, but I want to take care of you too. And now you are tired, so sleep." I pulled her towards me, her body fell on top of mine. She smiled at me. "Goodnight Lucas."

"Sleepwell Rosie." I whispered in her ear wrapping my arm around her tiny waist, keeping her close to me. She placed her hand on my bar chest and caressed it softly, lulling herself asleep.