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

you’re telling me because you’re going to take my offer for the apartment.”
    “No,” I laughed. “I’m telling you because I’m actually going to travel. It’s what Aaron would have wanted and being an expert in the frailty of life, I should enjoy what I have, right?”
    “Of course.” He paused as his eyes lit up. “You know, I’d be an excellent tour guide. I speak French.”
    “Of course you do,” I giggled foolishly.
    “I’m serious, you don’t believe me?”
    “No, I do.”
    “Then, what is it?”
    “Because ladies already think you’re handsome, famous, wealthy, and they adore you, so of course you’d speak French as well. You’re quite the catch.”
    He smiled, pleased with my revelation. I didn’t understand the look he gave me, but he seemed charmed.
    He kept his thoughts to himself and said, “I have to go, but I’ll see you at the park at nine.”
    As I walked home that afternoon, I again thought of the night Aaron proposed. We’d gone home, made love, and lay strewn across the bed, naked, discussing the wedding and our future honeymoon. Excitedly we planned it all in just a few hours, staying up late into the night, high from our joy. We wanted to get married at this tiny church on our college campus, and hoped to have our reception at a small Italian restaurant near our childhood homes. It was perfect for the immediate family and friends we had hoped to invite, both of us wanting a small wedding. But what we were most excited to plan was our honeymoon.
    We knew we wanted to go somewhere different and since we couldn’t afford going abroad, we decided that Hawaii would be perfect. It was manageable, but exotic, unlike anything we’d seen. Aaron got out of bed and brought the laptop back so we could choose a hotel, dates, and pick the excursions we’d hoped to take.
    I still hadn’t been to Hawaii, and whenever I considered going without him, depression deepened within me. Even coming across advertisements for Hawaii travel in magazines or on the Tube still brings me back to that night. He had promised to love me, take care of me, and to show me the world, taking us both to places we’d been dying to see.
    I knew he wouldn’t want me to miss out on life, and that’s why I bought the Paris guidebooks. I may have been thinking of Rhys too, but Aaron was always on my mind and in my heart, and in that way he’d be taking the trip with me. I thought about what Rhys had mentioned, that perhaps Aaron was sending opportunities my way, and I couldn’t stop hoping it was true.
    The world was a little less lonely when I could feel Aaron looking out for me. I also found myself appreciating Rhys, still in awe of how reverent he’d been in respecting what Aaron meant to me. I never thought I’d meet a man like that after Aaron, one that stirred similar emotions, let alone one that I could talk to about my past love.
    Later that night, I got another text from Rhys as I readied for bed. It was cryptic, but I played along.

    Rhys: So, do you???

    Me: Do I what?

    Rhys: Think I’m handsome?

    Me: What? That’s random.

    Rhys: You said ladies think I’m handsome, not “I think you’re handsome.” So I was wondering if you were included in such a group of ladies?

    I stared at my screen unsure how to reply. Part of me wanted to say yes, I do, but then thought it wasn’t professional. I didn’t want to lead him on, because while I entertained the false hope of someone like Rhys, I also didn’t want to lead myself on. After all, we only had two weeks left, and then what? I decided to be honest, but vague.

    Me: I mean, you’re not bad to look at.

    Rhys: That’s it?

    Me: Yeah. I will say you’ve been a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect for you to be likable, or understanding.

    Rhys: I’ll take that as a good thing?

    Me: Yes.

    Rhys: Well, that’s good to know. I’m looking forward to being outside Thursday. I haven’t spent a day in the park in months. I plan on convincing