‘I get bored easily.’Her face falls a little, and I furrow my brow, wondering what caused that.‘Of hobbies, I mean,’ I quickly amend, hoping she doesn’t interpret that as me getting bored of people.Of relationships.Of her.‘Not of people.’
‘Right.’She nods, not meeting my eyes.‘Well, at least you know how to keep active.’
‘That’s the one thing I’m good at.’
‘It’s kind of amazing that you find the time to fit it all in, with your schedule and all.’
‘See, the problem is, these hobbies overtake my life and you know what always falls short?’
‘Studying?Assessments?’She guesses.
‘Bingo.’
‘Well.I’m here now.I can help.’
‘I have an idea.If you want to hang out tomorrow, I’ll cook you a mad feed if you’re willing to put in some study time with me.’I flash a grin.‘I forgot to mention that one of my hobbies is cooking.I can make you anything you want.’
‘Is there anything you can’t do?’She smiles.‘You’re beginning to make me feel inadequate.’
‘I can’t write a book,’ I point out.‘I’d be flat out reading a chapter, let alone attempting to write one.’
‘Oh?’
‘Yeah.My skills are certainly more physical.’I offer her an exaggerated wink, and she rolls her eyes.
‘Oh, yeah.I got that.’
I smirk.‘You think that provided you with some inspiration?’
‘It certainly did.’She nods.
‘Glad to be of service.’
Nora is easy to talk to.We chat aimlessly about all sorts of things.I can’t remember the last time I talked to a girl like this.Not even with Leasa.In the beginning, sure, we talked a lot, and everything was good.But for the last twelve months, we were like two toxic roommates who ranged from blatantly ignoring each other to screaming at each other, with sex thrown into it from time to time.Even that wasn’t consistent in the end.Our relationship was all over the place.
It feels easy with Nora.That’s all I wanted.Something that’s natural and flows.All the random hook-ups, the ones I remember, the ones I don’t … it all fades into background noise over time, and I’ve lost my ability to care about any of it.With Nora, it feels like I’ve found a good friend again, which is what I’ve always craved in a relationship.
Fake or not, this is the most real I’ve felt about anyone in a long time, and I hope I don’t fuck it all up.
‘Can I ask you something?’she asks quietly, moving her hands under her thighs and lightly rocking back and forth.The car sways slightly.Turning, I scan her face, but she’s looking ahead, chewing her lip.
‘Sure.’
‘Are you doing okay, after your break-up with Leasa?I know it was a while ago but the other night … you still seemed quite affected by her.’
‘I’m over it,’ I answer.‘That I’m sure about.But she seems to be literally everywhere I go.’A weighty exhale leaves me.‘I don’t missher, but I miss having someone.’
‘Yeah,’ Nora agrees, reaching for my hand and placing hers on top of mine.‘I know what you mean.’
‘It’s weird.I’m so busy.I’m always out doing things.I have such great friends.There are so many good things going on in my life, and yet at the end of the day, I still feel so damn alone.’
Grazing her thumb across my knuckles, she nods.‘I know.Me too.’
The soft breeze blows her dark strands across her face.I lightly trace my fingers against her cheekbone as I brush it back.My eyes dart to her lips, and back up again.She inches closer to me.I close the distance between us, sweeping my mouth across hers.Deeply, and unapologetically.She moans softly into my mouth, and I push deeper, my tongue dancing with hers in a delicious clash of softness and a fight for dominance.
Breathlessly, we part, and I smile.
‘You’re one hell of a kisser for someone who claims they’re inexperienced,’ I say.
