Fell In Love With My Roomy Chapter 106

"I can't believe you're here," I mutter, astonished.

"I wanted to see you, and getting from the Hamptons to here isn't a big deal," he whispers as he cups my face with his hands. "I was tired of seeing you only through a screen, and I didn't need to be home anymore, so... I decided to surprise you and spend some extra time together. Cut the distance in half." "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You like surprises, don't you?" he asks, making me smile.

"I do."

"I figured, 'Well, I've got your Christmas gift, if that's okay.'"

"Oh, shoot! I didn't know we were exchanging gifts," I shake my head and sigh. "Yours isn't ready."

"That's okay, I'll get it after you open yours," he says, reaching into his jeans pocket and pulling out a white envelope. He whispers. I raise my eyebrows, and he hands it to me with a smile.

I open the envelope and pull out a few sheets of paper. Among them is a boarding pass for LaGuardia Airport.

"For New Year's, I thought I'd take you to New York," he says quietly. "I got invited to a really fun party, and I thought you could come with me." My mouth drops open, and he grins. "It's at the Hilton near Central Park, and the party is in the ballroom. I've booked a room at the same hotel."

"You're taking me back to New York?" I can hardly believe it, so I ask. "Oh my god, you really didn't have to."

"But I wanted to," he says. "Somewhere where we don't have to worry about our families, roommates, or people judging us. Tell me you'll come."

"I'll go," I reply softly, and he smiles. "Of course I'll go." I lean in for a kiss. He brushes my hair back and tucks a loose strand behind my ear.

"Wow, that's quite the sweater," he chuckles. "The funny part might be how it smells."

"My grandma knitted it; take a look!" I tease him, and he laughs.

"What did she say when you told her we were dating?" he asks, as if just remembering.

"She said, 'A boyfriend for Juls,' and then she called you handsome," I tell him with a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "I agree with her."

"Juls!" my mom's voice calls from down the hall, so we step back a bit to appear more composed. When my mom peeks around the corner, I cross my arms.

"Hi, Mom," I reply, smiling.

"I was just wondering what you two had planned for the evening," she says softly, and I sigh.

"We haven't discussed it yet," I answer, and she nods.

"Well, Kent, you're welcome to stay the night if you'd like. We can set up an air mattress in the basement."

"Wow, Mom, you really sold it," I roll my eyes. "We might be able to put it here," I suggest, pointing to my mostly empty room to remind her.

"No way," Dad chimes in as he passes by my room with a laundry basket. "You know the rules."

Even if Dad likes Kent, that won't change the fact that he's my dad. His protocol will always involve having separate rooms.

"Henry!" Abuela calls from the living room. "They're grown up!"

"You see? I'll just stay at my place," Kent says, making it clear that he doesn't want to intrude on my family's quirky habit of being involved in everything I do.

"No," I mutter and shake my head. Tonight, I need him close by.

"When they're alone, what do you think they do? They sleep together like any other couple, but they won't make love," Abuela joins in, making me cover my eyes with my hands.

"Good Lord, Mom! Do you always have to say such things?" my mother scolds. "Mind your own business!"

"Uh, I'll let your mother decide," Dad says, turning red as he carries the laundry down the hall to their room.

"Okay, I suppose you're adults now," Mom says, shaking her head. "Excuse my mother; she's old and not known for her subtlety. If you want, I can set up the air mattress in here, but Kent will be the one sleeping on it."

She then shakes her hands and walks back down the hall to scold my Abuela in both English and Spanish.

"Oh my god," I shake my head and sigh. "I don't know what's wrong with everyone, but your parents didn't mind us sharing the same room."

"Your family is much closer-knit," he comments.

"I'll go with you, so you don't have to stay."

"No, I'll stay. I know you love your family, and this time is important to you," he whispers while planting a kiss on my temple. I manage a weak smile. He's a saint for putting up with my quirky family members.

We take turns inflating the air mattress with our feet, while the other gets ready for bed across the hall as Kent retrieves his belongings from his car. To be honest, my tiny twin bed probably wouldn't accommodate both of us comfortably anyway.

Once we're both ready, I help Kent set up his makeshift bed, and as I switch off the lights, I chuckle. What an unusual evening.

I try to fall asleep, but my happiness at having him nearby keeps me awake. I turn to look at him, and a smile starts to spread across my face.

I whisper, "Kent." "Are you asleep?"

"Nope," he mumbles. "I think this thing deflates every time I take a breath."

"Oh shoot, how much air do we have left?"

"I'm almost touching the ground," he replies quietly. I purse my lips and chew on the inside of my cheek.

"Come up here with me," I suggest.

"No, your mom was pretty clear," he answers. "I'll be fine in my taco, honey. Go to bed."

"Then switch with me; you've had a long journey."

"Unlikely," he says softly. "Good night."

When I furrow my brow, he rolls over on his side and closes his eyes. So what if my mom said something? She's not going to barge in, and I know she doesn't mind much. It's a matter of principle.

I quietly remove my blankets and take two steps to reach his bed. I climb onto it, and when I do, his eyes pop open. It's clear that my weight was helping to distribute the air and keep him off the ground. "Juls."

"Shh," I hush him. When I lie down beside him, he rolls his eyes and puts an arm around me.

"This is ridiculous," he mutters a moment later, and I sigh, fearing he's referring to me being so close to him. "If we're doing this, we might as well be in bed," he says, making me smile a bit. We both sit up, and he pulls me into my bed, and we snuggle up together. "I can't say no to you."

"Were you really sure you wanted to stay there?" I ask, resting my head on his chest.

"Definitely not."

"I thought as much," I murmur, and he leans in for a quick kiss.

"Goodnight," he mumbles as he wraps his arms around me.

"Goodnight, Kent," I reply, and that night is the best I've had in a week.