“I’m going to kiss you now,” he says, leaning down until he gets to my mouth. “Yes or no?”
He gives me a choice. Bloody hell, I like that. A lot.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders, go on tippy-toe until my tendons twinge and kiss him, forgetting about technique or worries or whatever because I want to taste him one last time before I go to sleep.
When we pull away, our rapid breathing makes us grin at one another. With one last kiss to my cheek, he opens my door. I hear him wait in the hall for me to lock up before his door opens further down the hall.
Goodbye Josie Geller, and hello, Sera Delos.
I get to my phone on the coffee table, typing so fast autocorrect doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
Me: I’ve just been KISSED. This is legit, no joke!
Katie: jhadhgdhghddghde! Whaaaaaaat?! How was it? Did the Earth move out of its orbit? Please tell me it did. A guy that hot can’t do anything less.
I grin. Me: I was dizzy if that’s what you mean, and I can’t feel my legs. I think I could kiss him for hours.
Katie: Lucky bitch! Ah! I’m so happy for you. We need to have sangria A-SAP. Tomorrow, after work, drinks on me! All is right in the world! I can’t believe it! Do you feel like a new woman?
Me: Uh, no. Not really. I haven’t been reborn or anything since he kissed me.
Katie: Pffft, yes you have. And it’s AWESOME.
Me: Totally awesome. See you tomorrow!
Katie: Until then.
Fraking weird knowing Hunter is just next door, on the other side of the wall where my back is to the couch. The very couch where we made out, me for the first time ever! Rocky Balboa is grinning at me in my head like I’ve made him proud, like I’ve knocked the shit out of Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago at the same time.
My phone buzzes on the couch next to me, and my heart tries to come out of my mouth when I realize it’s Hunter.
Hunter: What are you doing?
Me: Texting you, obviously.
Hunter: Snarky. I like it.
Me: That’s good, I guess.
Hunter: Can I ask you something?
Me: Sure. My heart thumps against my ribs. I wonder if this is what a panic attack feels like.
Hunter: Who told you you were a bad kisser?
Me: Uh, I’d rather not divulge the source.
A pause, then: Hunter: Why? I’m getting ready to string my web of lies.
Me: You’ll end up beating him up, maybe going to jail, and orange is not a good color on you. I wouldn’t mind you getting more tats, but then Matty and I will have to see you behind bars, and I kinda really like having you live next door.
Hunter: Fuck, now you’re being cute. Can I come over and kiss you again?
I should just get my grin tattooed to my face or something. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Seriously – best day ever. Me: Tomorrow. Drive safe when you go and pick up Matty, ok?
Hunt: Alright. I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.
Oh. My. God.
Doubts swirl in my head the entire night.
One kiss does not change the world; it doesn’t even matter to some people. A kiss is something that’s just done – usually a prelude to sex. A kiss doesn’t matter, a first kiss ever is usually forgotten, a muddied memory from a time when we were all awkward and uncertain.
One kiss doesn’t mean there’s a relationship.
One kiss doesn’t mean that I have a claim on Hunter MacLaine, especially if Alysha had a claim on him first. I don’t even know what I’m doing with him. Is he just playing me?
I wake up late and have to rush my morning routine, only swiping a couple of coats of mascara on my lashes and some lip gloss quick quick. Oh, snap. My mouth is swollen, sensitive to the brush I’ve swiped with gloss across them.
And now I’m red. Nice.
Stuffing my feet into my TARDIS blue Chucks, nabbing my purse and keys by the TMNT lanyard, I open my door to have my nose collide with something hard and soft at the same time.
“Motherducker!” My nose stings and the burn in my eyes tells me tears are about to come without me wanting them to. I sniff, stuff a finger under my nose to see if I’m bleeding. Nope.
“Hi, Sera!” Matty’s voice comes clear even if he’s blurry despite my glasses. I wipe underneath my eyes, and stare up at Hunter, unease making my stomach twist, and my heart stumbles on its beats.
“Hey, little buddy.” The kid’s jumping in place, and he lunges forward to snag my hand, both of his holding two fingers each.
“C’mon, c’mon! I have to go to school today, and then Daddy will drive you to work!” Matty starts dragging me closer and closer to the elevator only because I’m letting him.
“No, no. Really, I’m just going to take the metro and-”
Hunter’s hand somehow sneaks under my loose hair and covers the nape of my neck, his thumb stroking the side of my throat in mesmerising swipes.