He puts me down, and I have to lean against the wall to stay up. I hold up my hand, telling him I need a minute.
“I’ll tell you if we get to that point,” I breathe out.
“Fine, because that tells me we are heading somewhere.”
“Insufferable,” I mutter.
“Determined,” he says, leading me back to the couch.
We pass the afternoon the way we did yesterday, playing video games and talking. When I start to get too tired to hold the controller, we switch to movies. After a few really good action-packed films, I start to doze off. Without me asking, he picks me up and brings me to the bedroom. Tucking me in, he goes to turn and leave.
“Stay,” I say, eyes half open.
He needs no more encouragement, stripping down to his underwear and crawling into the bed. Pulling me tight against his body, his arms curl around me just like I imagined. The steady rhythm of his breathing is a lullaby that is singing me to sleep, but I fight it.
“I like you,” I say, turning to face him.
“I like you, too.”
“Good.”
I bring my lips up to his and am thrilled when it feels the same. That electric need shoots through me, and I can’t help but draw him closer. His hands wrap around my waist, and he pulls me until we are flush against each other. I rest my hand behind his neck and grip on like I don’t ever want him to leave.
A yawn interrupts our kissing, making him chuckle. Turning me back around, he presses my body close to his.
I feel so warm and comfortable that I can’t fight anymore. I fall asleep in his arms, feeling like I have found the place where I belong.
Chapter 18
Eventhoughwe’vebeentalking for months and have hung out plenty of times, I want to take Callahan on a first date. It’s been years since I’ve been on one of these, and I can’t believe at my ripe age of thirty-two, I’m nervous. After video calling Farrah to help me pick out my outfit, I twisted my braids into an updo and laid down my baby hairs. I’m now standing outside his house waiting for him.
It’s in the middle of the day, so I’m sure he is wondering what we are going to do, but I definitely wasn’t going to plan something basic like dinner. Still, I wonder if he knows what to expect.
When he steps outside, he is in some black jeans and a white top, looking very handsome. Even though it’s my date, he has a box of energy drinks for me.
“Thank you, handsome.” I put them to the side and give him a big hug.
“You know we could have just watched movies and cuddled up. Especially with these. We can stay up all night,” he says.
“Maybe later, but I want to do something memorable to start us off.” I grab his hand and lead him to the car. On the seat are somelilies for him. He breathes them in and can’t help but smile while clutching them to his chest.
In truth, every moment with him has been memorable. The best memories for me this year. Every time he shows up I smile just at his presence alone. He’s knocked down a few of my walls and used the pieces to build a bridge between us, and that is the best way to start off. Still, I want to do something for him that makes him feel the same way.
So as we pull up outside the family fun center, I’m happy that his eyes brighten and his lips pull further apart.
“You may be the queen of video games but be prepared to be whipped at the arcade ones,” he says.
I laugh and turn to face him when we get out of the car.
“That’s some big game you’re talking. Are you prepared to bet on it?”
Taking my hand, he pulls me closer until we are chest to chest. Then he looks down at me, a cocky smirk tilting his lips.
“Hell yeah. What do you want if you win?”
I pretend to think, but I already know the answer.
“When I’m back to normal, I would like for us to have sex in clown costumes.” I can’t stop my chuckle as the look of horror washes over his face. “Red wigs and make-up included,” I say.
