Chapter Forty-eight: Everybody Wants A Flame, But They Don't Want To Get Burned

Rei’s Point of View

The ride ended all too soon. It was so peaceful driving down the rural roads, leaning on Xavier when he turned and holding on to him. Now, I could understand even more why Xavier enjoyed riding his motorcycle. It was exhilarating and calming at the same time.

I carefully climbed off his motorcycle and removed the helmet, handing it to him as Xavier’s eyes danced with amusement.

“What?” I asked, confused.

“You enjoyed the ride more. You were relaxed this time,” Xavier grinned. “I think you like being my backpack.”

I rolled my eyes at the strange term but smiled. Yeah, I did like being his backpack.

He opened the door to his apartment for me, and I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious smell. Xavier told me he would cook for me, but I thought he would just order out for us. That’s what Greg used to do when he was going to ‘cook’ for us.

The table was beautifully arranged, with a single rose in a vase and two wine glasses. I was amazed by the effort he had put into this—it was truly incredible!

“It smells amazing! What did you make?” I asked.

“I grilled Florentine steak for us and prepared Tordelli Lucchese with sautéed spinach. There’s a bottle of red wine chilling for us in the fridge and tiramisu for dessert,” Xavier answered.

My mouth hung open in disbelief, and my eyes widened with shock. Xavier couldn't stifle his laughter at my expression before pulling me into a tight embrace.

“Something tells me that no one has ever cooked for you for a date before,” Xavier murmured before kissing my head.

“No,” I whispered. “No one ever has.”

Xavier gently tilted my head up, his warm hand cupping my face. As our eyes met, I could see the love and tenderness in his gaze. At that moment, I felt completely adored and valued by him. It was an incredible feeling that I never wanted to end.

Xavier leaned in for a soft kiss before gently guiding me to the table he had set up, murmuring, "We should have something to eat."

Everything was perfect - the food, the wine, the dessert, the conversation. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a meal as much in my life before.

I offered to do the dishes, but Xavier insisted we put them in the dishwasher. It was his home and space, so I didn’t push. I wasn’t sure if this was where the date ended. I looked down, worried about my lip, and wondered what I should do.

“Would you be open to watching a movie with me?” Xavier asked.

Xavier appeared anxious as if he was worried I might reject his invitation. I had hoped the rest of the evening would continue in the same direction as in my kitchen, but the food was so delicious that I had a full stomach and needed to digest. A movie sounded like a good idea and would allow me to snuggle with him. I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to be wrapped up in his arms like that.

I nodded, and my response led Xavier to offer me the sweetest smile. I thought I would melt on the spot. He was perfect, absolutely perfect. Xavier put a movie on the streaming service and then sat on the couch with me, pulling me close with his arm around me. I leaned in, surprised at how comfortable and natural this felt, much like it had been holding Xavier’s hand earlier.

As the romantic comedy played, my eyes couldn't help but wander to Xavier. I couldn't deny that he was incredibly handsome, and his laugh was contagious. Just when I thought he couldn't get any more perfect, he shed tears during one of the emotional scenes. It seemed too good to be true, almost like it was all staged for my benefit.

I tore my gaze away from his handsome face and tried to stop my mind from spiraling. Just because Greg had lied to me and then left me when I no longer seemed to have value to him anymore didn’t mean that Xavier would do that. If anything, Xavier had put more effort forward with this date tonight than Greg had in all the years of our marriage.

Xavier paused the movie and looked carefully at me. He could sense something was wrong, and I dreaded him asking. I would look like an idiot, and didn’t want to ruin our date. I just needed to get out of my head.

“What’s wrong?” Xavier asked gently.

“You are too perfect,” I mumbled, embarrassed.

“Sorry, what?” Xavier asked, clearly confused by my response.

I sighed and put my head in my hands. I’d ruined the date. I shouldn’t have said anything.

“Rei, seriously, what’s wrong?” Xavier asked, pulling me onto his lap and wrapping his strong arms around me.

“My ex-husband never put this kind of effort into spending time with me or showered me with this much affection. You are gorgeous, generous, kind, thoughtful, sweet, an amazing cook, an amazing fuck, and you like me. I can’t wrap my head around how you can like me,” I admitted, the words rushing out all at once like an out-of-control trainwreck that I just couldn’t stop.

“Rei, I’ve liked you for years. I had a crush on you when we were younger, and when I finally worked up the courage to ask you out, you were with Greg Ravenscroft. Then, I found ways to see you over the years but was always too nervous to approach you. You are strong, resilient, passionate, sweet, kind, and beautiful. You’ve always been, Rei. If anything, I’m not good enough for you,” Xavier said.

“You liked me? How did we not meet? Why didn’t you approach me?” I exclaimed.

“Rei, I’m a few years younger than you, and I’ve always believed that you were out of my league and I didn’t have a chance. I still thought that even the night we hooked up. I would have been happy to get your number,” Xavier chuckled.

“I’ve had a crush on you for so long that I don’t know when it turned to something more exactly, but Rei, I care about you a lot. I don’t know if you are open to defining this, but I don’t want to be with anyone other than you,” Xavier said as he held me tightly.

My heart was beating faster than ever before. These were the words I had always dreamed of hearing, but I never honestly thought I'd hear them for real.

“I only want to be with you, too,” I admitted.

“Good, then it’s settled. We are together,” Xavier said happily.

I turned my body around so that I could hug him, too. I felt so small in his arms but secure. Like he would hold me up, protect me and care for me no matter what happened. I realized in that moment that sometime in the weeks that we’d been texting this had progressed from a ‘I really like him’ situation to a ‘I think I’m falling in love with him’ one.