9. Davi

Chapter 9

Davi

The panic rises in my body as the idea of Becca leaving consumes me. I've never been so attached and in love, and here she is packing, leaving me a full two days earlier than planned.

"Please stay." I stand frozen in the doorway. My feet wanting to rush to her, but I can see she's freaked out.

Fucking Adriana. She's made my life hell since I hired her. I should've dismissed her but she's my cousin and family ties are like a gold chain, valuable but they can also feel like a noose around your neck. Adriana's been choking me for months now.

Becca avoids eye contact as she moves around the room. "I don't think I can. You have a plan and a dream, and I don't want to get in the middle of that. Plus, I'm really fucking scared that I need all of you, and I don't feel like I can accept half of you."

Her honesty and vulnerability blows me away. It breaks my spirit that I can't give her certainties. "And I can't promise I can give you all of me. You're right, we each have our lives, but I?—"

"And that's why I'm going back to Denver. I care for you, Davi, but it's better if we call this what it was…" She collects herself, that self-confidence that I find so attractive returning. "It was something amazing… but amazing for just a moment."

She grabs her luggage and makes for the front door. I'm broken as I stare at her back, shattered as she leaves without a backward glance.

Broken, lost, and sad, I go to the window and gaze out over the side of the building that shows the front lobby as I struggle to get another glimpse of her.

I should've finished my sentence. I needed to have said it one more time.

I love you.

Becca

I stumble outside, not even asking the front desk for a room. After all, Davi already told me it's booked. Plus, I can't afford this place. I walk along the street and up from the main drag. I notice a hostel, but it's in a safe area. Shrugging away any fears, I haul my belongings toward it. It'll be okay for the two nights I remain here. I'm not going home. I need to collect myself.

Once in my room, I don't bother to unpack.

What's the point?

Laying on the bed, I gaze at the water-stained ceiling.

I should've known it was all a dream. I just wish that I could be part of his dream. Sometimes we have to let someone go so they can be who they need to be. I don't want to let go, but five days was all this was meant to be and I need to remember that.

I release a big sigh but I don't cry. It's like I know what we had meant something and my heart is just happy having met him. And it's crazy that I already miss Davi, but I can only think about how magical our time together was. For a few days, I lived my own beautiful fairytale, and I'm so blessed to have experienced something special and wonderful.

Hell, I got ravished in Rio by a stunningly handsome Brazilian man who treated me like a queen.

I roll over and stare out the window. The palm trees wave quietly in breeze.

I'm going to cherish these memories forever.

I just wish my forever was with Davi.

The next morning, the room is too depressing to stay in, so I take advantage of the bright and sunny day and explore the city. I ignore the emptiness of my heart and fill the day with sightseeing, traversing from one end of the city to the other. Visiting the popular Ipanema Beach, Museu do Amanha, and the Botanical Garden.

I'm wondering what Davi's doing, but considering we never exchanged phone numbers, it's not like I could contact him anyway. And if Adriana was right, he's moving on to his next Anjo . I look up the word.

Angel?

It brings a smile to my face. I might have been his angel, but he was my king.

I see a lot more of Rio and am awed by its vibrancy. My confidence and self-assuredness return navigating through the city with my phone's translation app.

I can't believe it's already been four days, and I was so scared and ready to go home. What a shame it would've been.

What would I've missed, if I had gone home?

Up ahead is the same coffee shop where I met Davi, and I suppress my emotions as I enter. The barista from that first morning notices me, smiles, and waves as I take a seat. He runs right over and I order the same thing, but when he delivers it this time, it's bitter and cold.

But it doesn't have anything to do with the drink. It's me. I'm just off in all ways.

I text Harper, needing my best friend.

Becca: Things have changed here. I think I'm going to come home.

I sigh as it doesn't take long for the three dots to appear.

Harper: Do you need me to come there and kick some ass?

Oh, Harper, I kicked my own ass.

Becca: I fell.

Harper: What? Fell? Are you okay?

She's going to make me say it.

Becca: Davi Santos, I fell for him. I fell in love, Harper.

My phone rings immediately.

"Are you staying in Rio?" she asks.

I swallow hard. "No. Things happened and I left him."

"But you love him?"

I close my eyes. "I fucking love him. Any time with him would never be enough. I want so much more."

"Did you tell him?"

My eyes still closed, I shake my head, tears landing hard on my shirt. "No. I should have."

"Go find him!"

"I'm right here, my angel."

My eyes pop open and sitting across from me is the man who fills my heart with happiness.

"Is he there?" Harper screams into the phone and Davi smiles.

"You can tell your friend that I love you, too. My love, I have fired Adriana, and I will do whatever we need to be together. Here, there, wherever. I never want to be away from you again."

"Oh, my God, Becca, tell him that you?—"

I hang up on Harper and Davi's eyes widen.

"Davi, I love you. I loved you from the moment you sat down and saved me from… myself."

"Oh, Mi Amor, I didn't save you, you saved yourself. I just watched your beauty blossom while you did it. I will always be there for you."

"Forever?"

" Para sempre. "

"I'm going to assume that means?—"

His lips hit mine and I can feel forever start.

He touches our foreheads together. "Forever, baby." He winks and I can't help but smile. The light is back in my life.

My heart belongs to Rio… and Davi.