Page 52 of My Heart Belongs to You

“Open the door.” Robyn was quiet. Seconds later, I heard shuffling in the background followed by the door opening. “Hey, you,” I said after a beat of silence.

She smiled. “Hey.”

I grabbed her chin and kissed her forehead. Her hands went to my waist, grabbing handfuls of my shirt as she pulled me closer. I dropped my bag at the door then hugged her like I hadn’t seen her in months. She sighed in my arms and I did the same while keeping my hold on her firm.

Robyn looked up at me. “I’m happy you’re here.”

I smiled. “Me too.”

We let each other go reluctantly and ventured further into her suite for the weekend. I tore my eyes away from her and the floral romper long enough to check out her room. The style of the hotel was eccentric. Brightly colored furniture with unique wallpaper and intricately designed carpeting ran throughout the building. I joined Robyn on the small couch, smiling at the open bottle of wine on the table.

“I was about to order room service,” she said, holding the menu up for me. “My parents are paying for the room, so order whatever you want.”

After ordering our food, Robyn flipped through channels for something to watch.

“Tomorrow’s the big day,” she said, sans enthusiasm.

“You got this, champ.” I shook her by the shoulders, pulling an easy smile from her. Robyn’s eyes bored into mine for two long seconds before she resumed channel surfing.

“I wish there was something I could do to shake away the butterflies.”

“What part of the exam are you most nervous about?”

Robyn pondered for a moment then said, “Theory is where I had trouble last time. I failed by three points. I need to trust my instincts.”

“That's it.”

I nodded, impressed with how much she’d grown since last year. She was down for weeks after returning from Portland. Calls and text messages went unanswered; she stopped her restaurant renovations and postponed the grand opening. I wish there was something I could’ve done to pull her out of that funk sooner.

“So,” she sing-songed, bumping her elbow into my arm. “What made you come?”

“Remembering how sad you were last year and how I wasn’t here to support you. I wanted to be here with you this time. No matter the outcome.”

Terrance was supposed to fly in the night before to be with her. He’d promised to be there for her, even though they’d already broken up. On the morning of his flight, he told her he couldn’t come. I suspected his ill-timed call also played a role in her exam performance. He never really supported her and choosing to not be there confirmed it for me. This time around, when she told me her siblings and parents couldn’t make it, I decided to come. If there was anyone who deserved my unwavering support, it was Robyn.

She smiled softly, then replied, “I thought about that too. I can’t dwell on the past. Besides, my favorite person came through for me once again. I’d rather talk about that.”

“I’ll always come through for you, Goldie.”

“I know.”

We left the conversation at that and turned our attention to the television.

Whenever Robyn needed it, whether as a friend or lover, I’d be there. Her willingness to trust me with her body was something I wouldn’t take lightly. I knew she needed a deep connection beyond common interests. She didn’t realize just how deeply invested I was in her. Any problem she came to me with, I would find a solution. If it guaranteed a smile from her, I would do it. I loved her like my kin, but I couldn’t continue to ignore my romantic feelings.

Were we ready for anything other than friendship? I wasn’t sure. Robyn had every right to put her all into her career. Our conversation last night was enough for me to understand where she stood.

Early in the morning as we lay in my bed, I asked her the question plaguing my mind.

“What made you want to do this again?”

She shifted beneath me until she was on her stomach, peering up at me through heavy lidded eyes. Darkness surrounded the room, minus the scented candle she’d lit hours ago when she first arrived. The soft light from the fire danced across her face. I noticed a half-smile on her lips.

“I trust that you won’t misunderstand what’s happening between us.” She sat up, holding the comforter to her chest. Her gaze met mine. “I don’t want it to sound like I just want you for sex because that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

I laid still, allowing her space to vent. Robyn had never been willing to address the complexity of our relationship.

“I used to think we weren’t meant to be anything other than friends. Our vibe was so easy-going that I didn’t want to risk ruining a good thing. But something about us just clicks on all levels. I’ve never had this connection or level of vulnerability with anyone. It’s a little scary. I’m not ready to face what’s next for us, but I like how this current space feels.”