For Both Are Infinite (Hearts in London Book 1) by Stephanie Alba Page A

his skin. It sounds gross, but I loved the special scent his skin had after a long day, natural and all him, and I cried whenever I realized one day I wouldn’t remember it as clearly. I kept some of his clothes and threw them in a zip-lock just to preserve the smell, and sometimes when I was really depressed I opened it and gave in to lunacy. The scent would eventually fade, but it was the strangest comfort knowing he was still around in that way.
    I often spoke to Aaron in my head, and that night I stared at him and told him everything racing through my mind.
    I hope you know I’ll always love you.
    I hope you know you’re always in my heart and head.
    You know you aren’t forgotten, right?
    After gazing at him for a while, I looked up flights for home out of curiosity and nostalgia. I was able to find one relatively cheap and Skyped my parents over dinner to see if it was a good time to visit. They both ecstatically agreed, grateful to see me after months, and so I booked my ticket. Once I saw their faces I knew I wanted to hold them and go home, and I became excited at the thought of seeing my friends, Anne and James, too. I hoped to talk to my mother and gain some clarity about Rhys, but I hadn’t decided if I wanted to for certain because she always meant well, but lost control sometimes.
    As soon as I clicked confirm for my ticket, I felt disheartened, knowing it meant I’d be away from Rhys all week. We didn’t have plans anyways since our practices were canceled, but the hopeful prospect was nice to dream about. I packed for my flight the following evening, leaving everything but my feelings in order.
    ∞
    The following morning Bruce picked me up for Rhys’ house. When we drove onto his lawn I could see him outside on his phone. Upon further study I noted something different in his face: nerves, frustration, I couldn’t place it. He hung up and opened my door the moment Bruce parked, sweetly giving me his hand to help me out. His shoulders were tight, as were his lips, and I gave in to temptation, asking, “Is everything all right?”
    “Of course. I’m glad to see you.”
    I didn’t push for more information as Rhys guided me to the living room. Once I was comfortable on the sofa he admitted, “I love seeing you here.” I wasn’t sure if he meant to say it, but I loved that he couldn’t contain himself around me. “I feel more at home in my own house. Is that strange?”
    I shook my head, smiling and knowing exactly what he meant. “Not at all.”
    His eyes lingered on my face longingly with some unrecognizable emotion that he quickly rolled it off his shoulders. “We’d better get started to make our lunch appointment.”
    We practiced for our last time together, and it was bittersweet watching him read his lines. I watched tenaciously, realizing that the next time I’d see him he would be reciting those same words on stage, in costume, and I’d be at a unique distance from the front row. He would be physically close, but emotionally unattainable. We would no longer be working together, but instead hopefully continuing to remain friends as he said. I became irrational, angry at life for giving me guaranteed meetings with him only to take them away early. They always had an end date, but I had tricked myself into hoping it would never come.
    I asked him if he had any specific concerns about dialogue or theme, but he was comfortable with himself. Rhys shook his head and winked, “I’m not worried. I’ve been instructed by the best.”
    My insides melted completely. He exuded constant charm and sex appeal, but that tiny action rendered me useless. I thought I’d maintained outward composure, but his suspicious grin told me I wasn’t entirely successful. He knew full well what he did to me. I remained unraveled for the rest of the afternoon all because that simple wink.
    For lunch Rhys took me on a Thames cruise. During the drive I grew preoccupied over telling him about my plans to go home.