At this point, I’m going to stop overanalyzing everything I say. So what if things are moving faster than a conventional relationship? It’s been months since Shinsu and I reconnected and we communicate more openly than I do with anyone else. We’re both consenting adults—enthusiastically so—and we both want to be together.
For so much of my life I’ve been timid, but I’m done holding back and filtering myself. With Shinsu, I feel safe to speak my mind and share my true feelings. And I hope he feels the same about me too.
I lather myself with lotion and brush my teeth before I tackle my hair. Squeezing some conditioner into my hand, I start crunching my hair while I think back to my brief rebellious phase in university when I wore my hair curly. I knew nothing about proper curly hair products, still don’t, but normal conditioner helped define my curls and reduced the frizz enough to look somewhat presentable. That phase only lasted long enough until my mother called me to berate me after seeing a picture online, reminding me of the professional image I need to exude as a lawyer.
But this is now and I refuse to live in the shadow of the past. I like the idea of looking authentically me. And it would save a lot of time and energy if I stop restricting myself and conforming to other people’s standards, especially the ridiculous ones my mother set for me.
If no one else is freaked out by how weird I look without my sleek strands then I might delve into proper curly hair research when I get home. But before I invest in a whole bunch of products, I’ll let today be a little test run.
With my copper ringlets looking somewhat presentable, I take out the lilac dress from the bag. The moment I hold it up, a note falls to the ground and I quickly pick it up.
Eleanor,
This is my lucky dress. It’s basically responsible for Bodin falling in love with me. Remind me to tell you the story later!
May you have just as much luck as I did! Though, based on Beck’s face this morning when he came by, I don’t think you need any ;)
Can’t wait to see how pretty you look at book club later!
Love, Tilly
P.S. It has a very supportive built-in bra, so no need to stress about the proper undergarments.
Practically buzzing with excitement, I place the note on the counter. I love letters and getting two before I’ve even had breakfast, has my heart feeling full and so, so grateful for the people in my life. When I get to The Dancing Daisy later I’m going to get myself a scrapbook to save them. Plus, I’m going to ask Shinsu to write down the amazingly romantic things he said last night and maybe it can turn into a little book of affirmations for me.
Holding Tilly’s dress up, I silently thank her for lending it to me, hoping that her luck is still attached to it too, before slipping it over my head. I relish in the comfortable fit of the built-in support and I stick my tongue out at my inessential bra and the monochrome outfit I don’t have to don on such a happy day.
“Something smells amazing,” I say as I enter the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.
Shinsu’s thrown open all the windows, allowing a gentle breeze to pass through the old mill as the waves lap lazily at the shore. It’s the most idyllic picture with Shinsu leaning against the counter, the early morning sun sparkling on his scales as he studies me from across the room.
“Please pause right there,” Shinsu says, his hands flexing on the counter behind him.
“Okay?”
Shinsu’s eyes flit all over me, first fast, then he drags his gaze up in a slow caress—up from my bare feet, up over the dress, lingering on my generous cleavage, before taking his time going over my lips, eyes, and down again, following my hair. “I want to memorize you like this. The way the ringlets frame your face, the way the strands twist and curl—you’re ethereal, Nori. Breathtakingly beautiful. But mostly, there’s something new about your expression today I want to remember. It’s the way you look at peace with the world and yourself.”
Tears fill my eyes and I whisper back, “It’s because I am. I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Just as I am.”
Shinsu meets me halfway and then I’m in his arms, our mouths colliding, wordlessly expressing the feelings we’re not able to verbalize yet.
During breakfast, Shinsu explains that he stopped by Bodin and Tilly’s cottage first, knowing they’re always up before dawn, and asked Tilly if she had something that I could borrow. He knows I carry an extra pair of flat shoes in my bag for all thewalking we do in Starry Hill, so that wasn’t a worry for him to procure.
He also braved waking grumpy Pierre from sleep in order to get some supplies from The Winged Apple. When the old gargoyle heard it was for me, he insisted on getting the best quality of items and instructed Shinsu to return with me later to create a list of necessities for future stays. The thought of spending whole weekends with Shinsu in Starry Hill already has me deliriously delighted.
One item we didn’t think of, though, is underwear. No way am I putting on my soaked panties from last night. I’ll just have to go without, and hope no errant gusts of wind come my way. Or fingers. Though, maybe on my way home I wouldn’t mind if Shinsu went exploring and his fingers happened to find my aching pussy before we have to say goodbye again for a week.
But for now, I’m locking away all dirty thoughts and turning my attention to book club and enjoying every single second of my day with Shinsu and my friends.
