“I doubt she’ll ever need anyone defending her, but that was my pleasure,” Gwen chuckles lightly. “She’s special.”
“So are you,” I whisper, holding her even tighter, almost instinctively.
We’ll be at Gwen’s apartment building in less than five minutes, and I’m not ready to leave her yet, not after tonight.
“How about one more drink?” I ask hopefully. Gwen looks at me with a soft smile.
“It’s ok. I’m fine,” she says gently.
“I don’t want to have a drink with you because I think you’re not ok,” I reply. “I want to have a drink with you because I barely got to spend time with you tonight. I don’t want the night to end.”
That seems to do it. Gwen takes a deep breath and opens the door. I usually do that for her, so I pause, unsure for a moment, then watch as she steps out and peeks back into the car.
“Aren’t you coming?” she asks playfully, and I immediately get out as well. I tell Josh I’m not sure what time I’ll leave and that I’ll grab a regular cab later tonight.
As we walk through Gwen’s apartment building, the place is quiet. Just the sound of our shoes echoing against the concrete floor in a steady rhythm.
Gwen inserts her key into the lock, but before she opens the door, she turns around.
“I wasn’t expecting company. The place might be a little messy,” she says nervously, which makes me laugh.
“I don’t mind messy,” I respond.
She smiles faintly, then opens the door and lets me in.
“So your idea of messy is having books everywhere,” I joke as I look around the apartment. Books are everywhere.
“These are the books I’ve read recently. The rest are in my bedroom. I usually put them away when I have company,” she says, sounding almost shy.
On the coffee table, I notice the stack of books from our date and smile.
“Can I get you a beer?” Gwen asks as she walks toward the kitchen.
“Yes, please,” I reply, then sit down and settle into the couch.
“I’m sorry tonight went the way it did,” Gwen says as she hands me a beer.
“I’m sorry too. Those girls were drunk idiots,” I tell her. I notice she doesn’t quite believe me, but she nods anyway.
“Do you think Lisa is ok?” Gwen asks, and I smile.
“She’s fine. She’s probably on the couch watching one of her shows with a bag of chips right now,” I reassure her.
“I’ll text her in the morning,” Gwen says softly. She stares at the wall while holding her beer, as though lost in thought.
“You know I think you’re beautiful, right?” I ask her, and she looks my way, her eyes watery again. “Don’t let them get to you,” I add, gently touching her cheek.
“I’ll be ok.” Gwen’s voice sounds hoarse, as though she’s holding back emotion. “It was confrontational, that’s all, I guess,” she shrugs.
“Well, I want to be honest with you and say I think you’re beautiful,” I tell her, angling myself toward her. “You have beautiful hands,” I add, taking her hand and briefly holding it. “Beautiful cheeks… and a warm smile.”
Gwen leans in and kisses me back, with clear intent, her movements steady and natural. One hand rests behind my neck while the other settles on my shoulder.
I pause briefly, staying close, then return to her lips in a soft, unhurried kiss. The moment remains quiet and close, her breath catching slightly as she responds.
Without saying a word, Gwen shifts closer and settles beside me, maintaining the moment between us. She keeps her hands near my shoulders as she leans in again, and we remain close, the atmosphere quiet and steady.
Chapter 15
