Ice Cream & Dopamine

RAINEY

Ansel pulls up to my house and I unbuckle my seatbelt, giving him a thankful smile.

“I appreciate the ride home.”

His eyes are a deeper blue in the dim light, with the glow from the streetlights only partially lighting his face. I can still see his smile as he nods.

“Happy to do it.”

I reach for the door handle just as he starts to unbuckle his seatbelt. “Hold on, I’ll walk you up,” he says quickly.

He gets out and comes around to my side of the car. He takes my hand, helps me out, and before I know what’s happening, he scoops me up into his arms.

I’m taken aback by his sudden move, but I wrap my arms around his neck, deciding not to argue. It’s too cold outside to fuss.

He nudges the car door shut with his knee, then carries me up the steps to my front door. I feel light as a feather in his arms, held close to his chest.

I pull my house key from my clutch, unlock the door while Ansel uses his shoulder to push it open.

The house is dark, with only the moonlight streaming through the windows. I don’t bother with the lights, not wanting Ansel to have to hold me any longer than necessary.

He walks up the stairs, his breathing steady, as if he’s carrying a newborn. I unlock my bedroom door in the same way, and he carries me inside, setting me gently on my bed.

My room is darker than the living room, mainly because the eaves of my roof block the moonlight from my window.

I look up at him, and he looks back at me from a few feet away. He’s done so much for me tonight, and I don’t know how to thank him.

“Thanks.” I smile, feeling a bit awkward.

He nods, and for some reason, we just stare at each other. No words, just silence and eye contact.

Even in the dark, I can see his eyes filled with affection, and it sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

The sight is so intense that I swallow hard and quickly turn on my bedside lamp.

The darkness was creating a strange atmosphere, and I can tell Ansel feels it too.

“Uh…I should change, or I’ll catch a cold.” I stand up but immediately wince as pain shoots through my ankle.

“Whoa, be careful, Rain.” Ansel moves closer as I fall back onto my bed, clutching my ankle.

“It’s not right.”

“Let me see.”

He sits next to me and gently lifts my leg onto his lap. Normally, this would make me nervous, but the throbbing pain in my foot is a good distraction.

“This hurts worse than getting a tattoo,” I complain.

Ansel tries to hide a smile as he examines my ankle. He frowns when he sees the bruising.

“Your ankle is swollen. Do you have any ointment?”

“Yeah. It’s in the first aid kit in my bathroom.”

He goes to get the ointment, then comes back to the bed. He dips a cotton ball into the ointment and applies it to my ankle.

He rubs it gently, and when I wince, he looks up at me, apologetic.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I’ve had worse.” I give him a weak smile.

He rubs more gently, watching my face for any signs of discomfort. “Still hurts?”

I shake my head. “No.”

He lowers his head and blows lightly on the spot, and I feel my cheeks heat up. When Ansel does something like this, it’s hard not to fall for him.

He looks up at me, and I try to hide the nervousness on my face.

“That should do it. You’ll feel better by tomorrow,” he promises, closing the first aid kit.

I thank him, and he takes the kit back to the bathroom. I look at my ankle. I can still feel his touch, and it makes me smile a little.

“Do you want me to stay until your mom gets home?”

I look up as he closes the bathroom door.

“Yeah, I’d really appreciate that.”

He smiles. “Well, I have some clothes in the car, so I’ll go change and come back, okay?”

I nod as he leaves the room. I try to stand, and even though my ankle still hurts, I know I need to tough it out.

I limp to my closet and pull out fresh clothes. I take off my wet dress, and my mind goes back to when Ansel saw my chest earlier.

The embarrassment is still fresh. I don’t think I’ll ever go braless again.

I balance on one leg as I pull on my shorts, then pull the T-shirt over my head. I tie my wet hair into a messy bun, then hobble downstairs.

I turn on the lights and head to the kitchen. The front door opens and closes as I grab a tub of ice cream from the fridge.

I haven’t had dessert in a while, mainly because I hate being in the kitchen when Jeff and my mom are home. But they’re not here yet, so it’s the perfect time to indulge.

“Rain, is your foot okay?” Ansel asks, sounding worried.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I smile at him as I limp to the kitchen island.

He watches me carefully as I sit down in a chair, offering him a spoon.

“Ice cream?”

His worried look turns into a warm smile as he walks over to me. He sits on the stool across from me and takes the spoon.

“I haven’t had this in a while,” I say, lifting the lid off the tub. The scent of mint chocolate chip ice cream wafts up, tickling my taste buds. I don’t waste any time digging in.

Jeff and my mom will be back soon, and I want to savor this moment of peace in my own home.

Ansel watches me, a playful smile on his face. I meet his gaze, licking my lips.

“What?” I ask.

“You really love ice cream, don’t you? I’ve never seen you like this before.”

I shift, giving him a skeptical look. “Like what?” I ask, scooping up another mouthful of the sweet treat.

“I can’t quite put my finger on it. You just seem...relaxed. Not as tense as usual.” His gaze is intense, focused on me.

I smile, but it’s tinged with sadness. He’s right. Sitting here with Ansel, eating ice cream, I feel at ease.

Being around him triggers a rush of dopamine in my brain. It’s a feeling I’ve become addicted to. He’s my source of happiness. I hope one day I’ll have the courage to tell him that.

“I guess I just like this.” I shrug, digging my spoon into the ice cream, avoiding his gaze.

“Like what?” His voice is soft, intimate. The house is so quiet, I’m afraid my heartbeat will betray me.

I hesitate, staring at a chocolate chip peeking out from the green folds of ice cream. I’ve never had feelings for a guy before. I’ve never known what it’s like to be truly loved by one.

My feelings for Ansel are new and unfamiliar. It’s terrifying.

“Rain?”

“I like being here with you…,” I mumble. “It’s nice.”

There’s a pause, and I glance up to see Ansel smiling.

“I like being here with you too,” he says softly.

I smile back, nervously returning my attention to the ice cream. Ansel starts to dig in too, but stops, chuckling as he points at my lips.

“You got something there.”

“Oh, thanks.” I wipe my mouth where he pointed.

“Is it still there?”

He points to his own face. “Yeah, right under your lower lip.”

I wipe under my chin, but when I look at my hand, there’s nothing there.

He’s holding back a grin as he leans forward. “Want me to get it for you?”

I nod, dropping my hands to my sides as he reaches out to my face. His touch is gentle as he wipes away the imaginary smear.

His thumb brushes my lower lip, and the mood shifts. He slows his movements, looking up to meet my gaze.

The intensity from earlier returns, and I swallow hard as he stares at me.

His eyes are filled with emotion, his hand frozen on my face as he studies me.

I can feel my cheeks heating up, but there’s nowhere to hide. I’m caught in his gaze.

He looks down at my lips, and I can hear my own heavy breathing. My chest rises and falls as I watch him lean in closer.