Waking up in his arms had been a dream come true, literally. She’d dreamed about him all night, his scent lingering in her nose. It wasn’t until she woke up that she realized why. She’d turned in the night and had her nose buried in the crook of his neck. Her arm was around his chest and one of her legs had hitched up over his thigh. She was holding onto him as if he would disappear any second.
She’d tried to slink out of bed and regroup, but he’d grabbed the arm across his chest and tightened his hold around her shoulders. “Stay,” he’d mumbled, and Reese had immediately stilled, not really wanting to move anyway. Being held by him when they were both half asleep was so nice. Intimate.
Eventually, they’d gotten up and didn’t talk much about the previous night. But ever since then, he’d slept in the master bedroom with her. Even though they still hadn’t had sex, they kissed…a lot. And he’d actually taken off her shirt—and started sucking on her nipples—before she’d been called to help Jasna.
The anticipation and lust simmering between them had reached ridiculous proportions, and Reese had no doubt when they eventually made love without interruption, it would be the most amazing thing she’d ever experienced.
Until then, she loved spending time with him, no matter what they were doing. She didn’t need sex to love Gus, she already did, but when it finally happened, it would solidify her feelings permanently. She knew that like she knew her name.
This morning, Isabella had called and asked if she minded driving Angelo into Los Alamos later in the afternoon for his final tuxedo fitting. She was trying to tie up some loose ends for her wedding and had gone into town hours earlier, but was meeting them at the shop. From there, Woody would pick them up and drive them back to The Refuge.
When she’d gone to the cabin, Angelo had stared at her for a beat, then took a deep breath and smiled. Though it wasn’t so much a smile as it was a grimace. Still, Reese was hugely relieved he was at least trying to acclimate. It had been almost a month since his arrival in New Mexico, and while he did come up to the lodge to eat a few times a week, Reese wasn’t exactly sure what he did with the rest of his time.
She’d continue to cut him some slack though. She’d never been in his position, and if she found herself living, say, down in Colombia, with a bunch of people she didn’t know, in the middle of the mountains, and didn’t speak the language and had no idea what people around her were saying, she supposed she would probably be reticent around others as well.
It was in her nature to make the best of things. Foreign languages weren’t her forte, but she’d been trying to learn. At least basic words. When Angelo did come up to the lodge, he didn’t socialize much. He’d downloaded the translation app on his phone, but he didn’t use it often, opting to play games on his phone or scroll through social media instead.
Since Reese was driving, she couldn’t use the translator app at the moment. So the atmosphere in the car was a little awkward and silent, and Reese hated it. She was relieved to pull into the small parking lot outside the tuxedo rental shop. She forced a smile on her face and turned to Angelo. “We’re here!” she said unnecessarily.
Angelo nodded and offered a slight wave as he got out and headed for the store.
Wishing there was a way to communicate better with him, Reese got out and followed. She’d say hi to Isabella then head over to the office where she had her first interview for a position at the National Laboratory. She’d been a little surprised they’d contacted her so quickly after receiving her application, but Gus said he wasn’t shocked in the least. She was living in the area and had the credentials to back up her expertise.
Angelo and Isabella were talking in rapid-fire Spanish, but when she walked toward them, they stopped. Angelo gave her a look she couldn’t interpret, then turned and headed for a changing area.
“I’m sorry I interrupted,” Reese told Isabella.
“It is fine,” Isabella said. “He’s struggling, but I’m glad he’s at least trying. He had friends back in Colombia. He was popular and was always out with someone in the evenings. I worried about him then, just as I do now. But in a different way.”
Reese stepped forward and hugged her friend. It felt as if she’d known Isabella for years…and she kind of had. She’d talked to her on the phone a couple of times at Woody’s apartment, and she’d heard so many stories about her and Angelo from her brother that it was as if they were already friends by the time they actually met. “He’ll come around,” she told her. “How can he not with an awesome sister like you?”
Isabella took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you for bringing him here. Are you nervous about your interview?”
Reese shrugged. “Not really. I mean, I want the job, but I’m also there to interview them. If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s that interviews are for both sides…I want to make sure it’ll be a good fit for me as much as they want to make sure I’ll be what they need.”
“That is a good way of looking at it,” Isabella said.
“Enough about me, are you excited? You’re getting married in three days!” Reese said excitedly.
Isabella chuckled nervously. “I am scared to death.”
“About what?”
“That I will say or do the wrong thing.”
Reese smiled. “No one is going to be taking notes or judging you. Especially not Woody. He’s waited for this day since the moment he met you.”
Isabella blushed. “Me too,” she said softly.
“I’m happy we’ll be sisters for real,” Reese told her. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”
Isabella beamed.
The moment was broken when Angelo said something from across the room.
Isabella turned her head and replied. Then she looked back at Reese. “I need to go. Tell me all about your interview later?”
“Of course.”
Reese hugged the other woman once more then called out a goodbye to Angelo, but she didn’t hear him respond.
After she pulled into the parking lot of the office building where her interview was taking place, she put her keychain into her purse and pulled out her phone. She sent a quick text to Gus.
Reese
I’m here. Heading inside. Wish me luck.
Gus
You don’t need any. You’ve got this. Call me when you’re done and on your way home.
Reese
I will.
Her fingers itched to finish her text with “I love you,” but she refrained and hit send. Then she silenced her phone, put it in her purse, and took a deep breath before opening her door and striding toward the building.
An hour and a half later, feeling extremely relieved and happy, Reese pushed open the cabin door. “Gus?” she called out.
He was in front of her in seconds. “So it went well?” he asked as he took her purse from her and placed it on the kitchen counter.
Reese nodded. “Yes. They offered me the job right after the interview was over! It’s more money than I was making in Missouri too. The offer is contingent on me passing a background check, but I’m not worried about that in the least.” She knew she had a huge, goofy smile on her face.