Her eyes close again and she pulls me closer, closer, until our bodies are pressed together, molded like theyâre supposed to be, like they were made to be.
I lean down and lick my lips and she whimpers as if sheâs been waiting an eternity for my lips to find hers, and it does feel that way. I feel a powerful sense of relief, like Iâve found a part of me that I didnât know was missing.
I rest my hand on her cheek and thereâs barely an inch between our mouths. Sheâs breathing so softly, as if Iâm the fragile one, and sheâs being careful not to break me.
Her lips taste like sugar and sheâs my favorite dessert.
Iâm gentle with her, gently pressing my lips against the corners of her mouth, and she makes a noise in the back of her throat that makes my head swim. I feel dizzy when her mouth opens and her tongue gently meets mine.
Itâs the best kind of disoriented and I never want to think straight again. The hand of mine thatâs not on her cheek moves to her back and I press her soft body against mine until thereâs not a single inch between us.
Through her soft lips, she whispers my name, and Iâve never felt this type of rush before. She pulls away for a moment and I feel lost, like Iâm swimming out in the middle of nowhere, and when her mouth finds mine again, sheâs found me and anchored me to her.
A vibration buzzes against the counter and the music I had forgotten was even playing fades out.
Itâs like Iâve lost the last few minutes of my life, but I never, ever want them back. I want to stay here, lost with her.
But reality has other plans and Nora pulls away, taking the silence in my mind with her.
She grabs her phone from the counter and looks at it quickly as she swipes her finger across the green circle. I lean against the counter to steady myself and she apologizes and steps into the hallway.
A few seconds of silence pass and I can hear her talking but I canât make out any of the words. Her voice gets louder and I force myself not to move closer to eavesdrop on her conversation.
âI have to go,â she says when she comes back into the room. âBut Iâll be back in the morning to help you decorate the cake. Iâll wrap it up so it wonât get stale.â
She moves across my kitchen and I notice the change in her demeanor. Her shoulders are slouched, and every time I try to catch her eyes, she avoids mine.
A thrumming rises in my chest.
âIs everything okay? Is there anything I can do to help?â I ask. I decide in this moment that there are only a few things in this world that I wouldnât do for her.
I know Iâm insane and that I barely know her. Iâm aware that itâs hard to protect someone that wonât allow you to. Iâm also aware that I have a messy on-and-off relationship with someone else, but thereâs nothing I can do to go back now. I canât make the last few minutes disappearâand even if I could, I never would.
âEverything is fine. I just have to go back to Lookout, my boss needs me,â she says with a weak smile I can see right through.
I stand in silence as she layers Saran Wrap around the cake pan and grabs her shirt from the back of the chair. She tucks her tie into the back pocket of her black pants and walks to the entry of the kitchen.
Her eyes still wonât meet mine and it makes my stomach hurt. âDonât worry about those dishes, Iâll get them in the morning.â
I nod, not knowing what else to say. The bliss from our kiss is evaporating faster than I can blink, and the endless questions I have for her are filling my head.
âIâm sorry,â she says, and I truly feel like she means it. At least thereâs that.
She disappears through the doorway and I stand still for a few minutes, recollecting every moment we just shared. From the sweet taste of her sugary kiss to the desperation in her fingers as she clutched the fabric of my sweatshirt.