“But ultimately, Leo, everything is a choice,” she said. “On some level, you’re choosing your fate for the sake of your family, aren’t you? I respect you for that, even if I can’t relate. I don’t have anyone who depends on me to carry on a family name. I have no responsibility toward anyone but myself. If I were in your shoes, I would probably do the same thing.”
I’d never looked at my decision to carry on my father’s legacy as a choice. But I suppose it was. There were no shackles on me.
I nodded. “Thanks for sharing that perspective. It’s a different way of looking at it. There’s no such thing as a total lack of choice, is there?”
Her phone chimed, and she looked down at it. Her eyes widened.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I get notifications when someone makes a donation to Mrs. Barbosa’s fund.” She looked up at me. “What did you do?”
When Felicity had been cleaning in the kitchen earlier, I’d clicked the donation link and sent the rest of the money—ten-thousand dollars—that would allow her to meet the goal.
“I’ve donated to far less important causes in my lifetime,” I said. “I wanted to make sure we had what we needed to get started.”
“You didn’t have to give that much. It’s crazy.”
“It’s not, really. We’ll be helping someone in need, and I get to spend scheduled time with you. I can’t put a price tag on that.”
“Well, normally, I’d be angry at you for giving so much, but it’s so needed, and it’s for a good cause. So I really appreciate your generosity. Without your donation and Mrs. Angelini’s, this probably wouldn’t have happened for at least another year or two, if ever.”
“It’s truly my pleasure, Felicity.” Sitting down on her bed, I looked around. “Being here…” I paused. “It feels so…nice. This warm, inviting room. This house, in general. Mostly the beautiful girl who lives here.” I winked. “You’re all right, too.”
She laughed. “Good one.”
“Seriously, Mrs. Angelini is a gem. It was great to meet her. Thank you for inviting me over tonight.”
“You’re welcome. And yeah, I know. I’m a lucky girl to live here.”
“From what I gather, Mrs. Angelini feels lucky to have you in her life as well.”
“She’s the best.”
“You think she’d foster me, too?” I teased.
“Well, then, you’d be like my stepbrother, and that would be creepy.”
“Because I’d be trying to sneak into your room at night?” I smiled mischievously.
“I read a book like that once. It didn’t end well.”
“Interesting.” I put my feet up, sinking into her pillow.
“Feel free to make yourself more comfortable,” she said, eyebrow raised.
“I’m sorry. Does this bother you?”
“I’m kidding.”
I tucked my hands behind my head. “I notice you’re keeping your distance. Perhaps a good idea after what happened today?”
“Probably.” Felicity blushed.
“You’re smart to do that, because I would probably try to kiss you again.”
Her cheeks reddened. She looked so beautiful, dressed in a peachy shirt that complemented her hair and skin. Her hair was a bit straighter than its usual fluffy texture.
“By the way, Mrs. Angelini gave me a warning tonight,” I said.
“She what?”
“Yeah. She said to make sure not to hurt you too badly.”
Felicity shut her eyes. “I wish she hadn’t said that. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She’s right. Which sort of makes me wonder why you invited me over. You’d previously decided it was best that we not see each other anymore. Did my kissing you change things?”
She tilted her head. “Did you kiss me, or did I kiss you?”
“Come to think of it, you might’ve initiated it.” I smiled. “Wait—did you take advantage of the pathetic state you found me in at the food shop?”
She shrugged. “I felt bad for you. The mac and cheese and SpaghettiOs? It was pathetic. I had to do something.”
I straightened up against her headboard. “Okay, in all seriousness, aside from the kiss, what made you invite me here tonight?”
Felicity continued to keep her distance across the room as she looked down.
“At Harvard, I used to play extreme Frisbee, right?” she said, looking up. “I was one of the worst players on the team, and we didn’t win very often. I always knew most of the time I was going to lose. Yet I was okay with that because the invigorating experience was worth the loss. As long as I didn’t expect to win, I was okay. I could just enjoy the experience.” She exhaled. “Falling for you is a losing game.”
“But one you’re willing to play?” My heart raced. “I’m game if you are.”
“If we’re gonna spend time together, I have to let you know that I…can’t sleep with you.”
All right. Fuck.
I certainly hadn’t been expecting her to mention sex right now, even if the thought of it was never too far from my mind these days.
“I understand.” Even if it kills me. But she had reopened the possibility of spending the summer together. I stood up and walked over to where she had her planners lined up on the shelf. “Do you have one of these to spare?”
She squinted, seeming perplexed. “Um…sure. The ones on the right aren’t written in yet.”
I pulled a blue one off the shelf. “I’ll return it at the end of the summer. Is that all right?”
Felicity shrugged. “Okay.”
The last thing I wanted to do was leave her tonight. But since she’d resigned herself to letting me hurt her, my gut told me to pace myself in doing so.
“Thank you for a lovely evening, Felicity.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I think it’s best if I do. Especially since we have a long day tomorrow.”
“We do?”
“Unless you’re working at the restaurant?”
“Not until the following night.”
“Brilliant, then. I’ll pick you up in the morning, and we’ll head to the store to start purchasing supplies for the renovation. How many people did you say are able to help?”
“My friend Bailey and her boyfriend both live in Providence. I know they’re definitely in. I’ll contact them tonight and see who can make it tomorrow.”
“It’s okay if they can’t. We can get started ourselves either way. But the more the merrier. What do you have already in terms of tools? I’m wondering what we’ll need to purchase.”
“Our next-door neighbor works in construction. He has a ton of power tools in his garage—probably almost everything we need, aside from materials. He told me to just let him know when I need to borrow stuff. I can text him.” She smiled. “I can’t believe this is actually happening.”
As we descended the stairs, excitement raced through me. I’d be spending the day with her tomorrow. And working on this project would be a better way to expend my energy than painting art I was too embarrassed to show anyone.