“Well, in case you missed it, I’m the one in your back yard, and my dog is currently taking a piss on what’s left of your rhododendrons.”
“Rhodo-what?” he asked as his eyes searched out Kirby. The dog had found the pathetic little patch of bushes along the back fence line.
“Rhododendrons. Mrs. Fererra was very fond of them, but she wasn’t good at keeping them trimmed back and they kind of took over the entire garden.”
“That’s a garden?” Sebastian asked with a smile as he eyed the sad-looking patch of dirt.
“Yeah, more or less. You’ve actually got really good dirt… the pH level is nearly perfect, and you’ve got a great mix of sand, silt, and clay. If you use some landscaping cloth and a really high-quality mulch, you can cut back on the weeds. Your rhodies need a little TLC for them to start blooming. I’d pull a few of them, though. That way you can add some different colors to make things really pop. Would also be a great attractant for the birds and the bees.”
My remarks were met with complete silence. I looked at Sebastian and saw him watching me with a soft smile on his face. “The birds and the bees?” he asked.
I chuckled. “Actual birds and actual bees, though I don’t think you’d have a problem finding the other kind of birds and bees.”
It wasn’t until the words were out of my mouth that I realized what I’d said… and who I’d said them to.
“Not that it’s any of my business who you give your birds and bees to. I mean, they’re your birds and bees.”
Sebastian laughed… a deep, melodic laugh that sifted through my entire body like the sweetest of caresses.
“Well, my birds and bees are taking some time off,” he finally said. “But thank you.” He rested his chin in his hand as he eyed me. “How do you know all that stuff about the dirt?”
“I’m a landscape architect,” I said.
“Ah,” he responded with a nod. “I was wondering why your front yard looks so much better than everyone else’s. I think being able to look at your house was part of the reason I decided to rent this one.”
I smiled at that. I was obscenely proud of the work I’d put into my house. While the little craftsman-style home might not be considered fancy, I’d fallen in love with the place despite its run-down condition when I’d first looked at it three years earlier. It’d been a labor of love to return the small house back to its former glory, but I’d relished every moment of it.
“So you’re only renting from Mrs. Fererra?” I asked.
Sebastian nodded. “I needed to get out of the city for a bit, but I’m not sure if I’ll be staying in the area or not. Mrs. Fererra wanted to wait a little longer for the real estate market to improve before she put the place on the market, but she also really wanted to move to the East Coast to be closer to her kids, so it kind of just worked out for the both of us.”
I couldn’t help but be a little disappointed that his situation was a temporary one.
“What kind of dancing do you do? Is that why you’re thinking of moving? To pursue your career… once you’ve recovered, I mean?”
Sebastian was silent for several long seconds before saying, “Um, no, the dancing… my career, it’s… I had to retire.”
The guy was in his mid-twenties at best. “Had to?” I asked gently.
Sebastian’s hand settled on his knee. “Yeah. I am… was a ballet dancer. But the damage to my knee is permanent… I can’t dance anymore. At least not professionally.”
“Fuck,” I murmured. “I’m so sorry, Sebastian.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I was lucky,” he said quietly. “It could have been worse.”
I ran my fingers through my hair but before I could say anything, Sebastian was climbing to his feet. “I’m sorry, I need to lie down for a bit and maybe put some ice on my knee before tonight.”
“Right,” I responded. “Of course. Kirby and I will get out of your hair. And I’ll make sure to get the fence fixed right away.”
“No rush,” Sebastian said. He seemed to not want to look at me. Instead, he called to Kirby who came bounding over to him. He carefully squatted down, using one hand to support himself on the chair he’d been sitting on. “I enjoyed the company,” Sebastian added before crooning “Bye, sweetie,” to my dog as he scratched his wiggly body. I almost reached to help Sebastian stand up again, but I didn’t because I got the impression he wouldn’t appreciate the assistance. “It was nice meeting you, Devon.”
“Yeah, you too, Sebastian,” I said. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” I added. “Take it easy tonight, okay?”
Sebastian nodded stiffly. “Yeah, happy Valentine’s Day.”