Chapter 65

Chapter 65

I held my breath as I wait for Hailey's answer. I heard her gasp and then saw how she bit her lip in a sad attempt to stop them from quivering.

"Hailey?" his voice was pleading.

Answer! Damn you. I wanted to shake her. What's wrong with her? Why isn't she answering? This should be a no-brainer.

She smiled downwards. Pained.

I glanced at Axel and saw that his expression was the same as mine: worried and horrified. It shouldn't be this way; this wasn't how it's supposed to be.

Then she sniffed, catching my attention yet again, and pushed her thumb to her brow, tears now flowing.

Shit, she's gonna say no, isn't she? No, no, no, no, no, I can't look at this. Josh has been my friend all these years and I refuse to see his world collapse right in front of my eyes.

I turned and buried my face in Axel's chest, wincing as I await the doom.

What would happen to Josh? He loves her so much. I thought she loves him too. What is happening?

"Yes. Yes. Of course, yes."

I loosen my grip on Axel's shirt. "She said yes?"

His chest shakes in delight and nodded down at me, "She said yes."

I looked back and saw that Josh was already standing, slipping the ring on her finger.

"Yes, I will marry you, Joshua Walker," she held his face with both hands and kissed him.

"Holy shit," I muttered under my breath as relief and disbelief washed over me.

"She said yes!" Axel said in pure delight.

I turned to him, smiling from ear to ear when he held my head in his hands and placed a quick kiss on my lips before screaming "Woo!" as he fisted his right hand in the air and jogged towards Josh and Hailey.

I stood frozen on the grass.

What just happened?

I turned and saw the three of them talking.

"Oh my God, I thought you were gonna say no. You scared us, Hailey."

"I was just shocked," she said out of breath.

"Well, congratulations, you two. I'm so happy for you."

Hailey nuzzled closer to Josh. "Thanks. Where's Lauren?"

"She was just behind me."

I blinked and forced myself back to reality and jogged towards them.

"Laure!" she squealed. "Laure, Laure, look," she flashed her ring and then brought me in for a tight hug.

"I'm so happy for you," my voice was muffled. I squeezed into the hug and then held her at arms-length, about to say something profound, but as soon as I saw her face and how her tears were brimming, I lost all thought and hugged her again, "You scared us there for a second, Hales."

Josh huffed out a breath, "You and me both, Laure. You and me both."

Hailey chuckled and wiped away a tear as she released from the hug. "I was surprised, that's all." Then she moved closer to Josh, "You know I love you, right? And I'll never think twice about marrying you. Although you've seen what just happened." She chuckled. "So, if you want some reassurance, I love you, Joshua Walker, and I can't wait to spend a lifetime with you."

"Oh, shit," I whispered to Axel next to me.

"What?"

"I don't think we should be here. I mean, look at them! I feel like I'm intruding."

"Oh please," Hailey spoke. "Now you know how I felt last Saturday outside your old bedroom."

My cheeks felt hot from embarrassment.

"What happened?" Josh asked then Hailey tilted her head knowingly at me. "Oh, that."

"You told him?!"

"Not intentionally. We were talking and it just came up."

Josh scrunched his nose as he shook his head as if to say that what he knows should be nothing to worry about. But as his gaze settled on Axel, a snort came out from his wide grin, unable to stifle his laugh anymore.

Axel looked away, growing a few shades redder, then he cleared his throat, "Why don't we take pictures?"

I agreed enthusiastically wanting the conversation to veer away from me. The couple gladly obliged and Axel took their photos under the glow of the fairy lights. The sun has now set and we were just taking a few more shots before wrapping up when Grandpa Frank came out of the house to congratulate them.

"I'm so happy for you, Care Bear," he told Hailey, using his pet name for her.

"Thank you, Gramps," she hugged him tightly.

He let go of the hug and stifled a sob, "Your Gran-gran would've loved this."

"Gramps..."

"I know your parents and your Gran-gran are smiling down on you right now." A tear fell from his right eye but he was quick to catch it. "I'm so proud of the woman you've become, Care Bear. I know they are too."

Hailey couldn't help her tears and hugged Grandpa Frank, "I would be lucky if I experience even a fraction of the love that you and Gran-gran had."

"You will, Care Bear, and more. But yes, your Gran-gran is incomparable."

She laughed wiping her nose, "That she is."

He turned to Josh. "Take care of my granddaughter, Walker."

"I will, Sir."

Grandpa Frank smiled as he nodded approvingly, "Come here," he brought in Josh for a quick hug and patted his back twice. "Congratulations, son. Welcome to the family."

Grandpa Frank went ahead of us to my Lola's place for the Thanksgiving dinner, telling us to just follow when we finish the photo shoot. After a while, we decided we already have more than enough photos and that it was time to go to dinner. We walked down the block with Josh and Hailey ahead of us, their hands all over each other, kissing every now and then.

"You know you could just skip the dinner with us and have it by yourselves."

Hailey turned to me, all smiles, "Don't be a hater, Laure." Then she wiggled her fingers to show off her ring.

I laughed, amused, "Look at her gloat." Axel laughed with me.

"Don't worry, babe, I know you'll get a bigger ring soon enough," Hailey said mindlessly.

We stopped laughing and glanced at each other briefly, knowing that it wouldn't be the two of us. Knowing that it isn't possible, it isn't logical, and it isn't the way things are supposed to be.

In what universe would an Axel James and a Lauren Grant end up together? None. We're like water and oil, it just doesn't go together, as simple as that.

Besides, this charade will end by the end of the night.

I shook my head and cleared my thoughts of these stupid things. Today is about Hailey and Josh. Today is about Thanksgiving. Today is about family. None of these things include my weird-ass feelings. I shot Noelle a quick text telling her Hailey said yes and that we were about two short blocks away.

Upon stepping on my grandparents' front porch, I noticed something unusual. It was quiet. I smiled to myself knowing what was about to happen.

Hailey opened the door as she usually does and was greeted with a booming "Congratulations!" as confetti popped in the air. Everyone was gathered in the living room with a banner held up saying 'Congratulations, Hailey and Josh!'. They all spoke their greetings and sentiments towards the happy couple while I scuttle away to the kitchen with Axel on my tail. I searched the kitchen for the turkey sauce but I can't seem to find it anywhere.

"What are we looking for?" Axel asked.

"The turkey sauce and baster, " I said. "We have to do it or else we wouldn't eat."

"You're too late," a voice from behind us startled me.

"Lola. You scared me."

"You're late for the basting. The turkey's already cooked."

"But-"

"No buts, Laurie. It's done. You can't eat because you didn't baste."

I frowned, saddened that this will be the first thanksgiving that I couldn't even eat Lola's turkey sandwich. What's the point of going home for thanksgiving?

"But since it's Hailey & Josh's special day," Lola started and my ears rang with hope. "I can make exceptions."

"Really?" I said excitedly.

Lola nodded, proud of herself.

"Please, I basted for them." Noelle grabbed the set of butter knives from the kitchen island and placed it on the table.

"Yeah, okay, you got me," Lola said. "Noelle acted as proxy. I just wanted to scare you."

"Lola!" I protested jokingly then moved to hug her. "I missed you."

"I've missed you too, apo. And you too, just-a-friend-Axel."

I released from the hug. I forgot my Lola has a good memory.

"I'm honored to be here, Lola. Thanks for the invite."

"Oh, the pleasure is ours. Any person that a family member loves, the family loves too."

"Yeah," I chuckled nervously. "Xan definitely loves him though. You know she asked him to call her Eloise. Eloise, Lola, Eloise! Told him she's now all big and grown-up."

Lola laughed. Thank God, I was able to distract her before she says anything more.

"Where's Granddad?"

"At the backyard with Frank. You know the two of them. Catching up with their old beers."

"Beers? How about their blood pressure?"

"Oh, we'll keep it in check. Besides, they don't drink as often as when they were in their thirties. Anyway, I'll gather everyone and start the dinner, I'm starving."

I nodded and watched her go to the living room, leaving Axel and me alone in the kitchen. Why does this keep happening?

He cleared his throat next to me, gaining my attention. "When are we gonna tell Hailey?" he asked timidly.

Wow, he really can't wait to be separated from me, huh?

I forced myself to face him, "Tomorrow. Not tonight. Let's give them tonight."

His brows twitched then nodded, "Alright."

Xan walked over to us, "Auntie Lauren, Mommy said I should ask you to get the pie."

"Oh, alright. I'll get it." I opened the fridge and got ahold of the apple pie. When I turned, Axel was carrying Xan in his arm, playing some sort of game. He tried to bite her finger off playfully and she giggled every time he made comical faces when she pulled her finger away as soon as it gets close to his mouth. I can't help but smile. "Alright, you two, let's get this to the table."

When we got to the table the grandparents were there. Grandad saw us first. "Is that my darling Laurie?" he asked Lola next to him.

Lola glanced at us, "Yes, that is Laurie and her boyfriend, Axel, and I've only left them for five minutes and they already have a daughter."

"Lola!" I remarked.

"Daddy!" Xan squealed in excitement as she saw her Dad enter the room. She went a little off-balance as she tried to jump off of Axel.

"Oof," Axel struggled as he lowered Xan down safely.

"That's Harry."

"I figured."

"So," Grandad was in front of us. "How long have you been together?"

I smiled awkwardly. "It's new so please don't scare him off."

"Uh-huh," he eyed him down despite being the same height.

"Nice to meet you, Sir." Axel offered him his hand and Grandad took it, brought him closer, and whispered something in his ear that made his throat bob up and down.

"Grandad!" I widen my eyes. "I told you not to scare him off." He shrugged and then went back to talking to Grandpa Frank.

"What did he tell you?"

He frowned and shook his head, "Nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure? I'm so sorry, my family's just not used to me bringing boys home."

He smiled, "It's all good, Grant."

I nodded despite being still a little apprehensive.

"Laurie?" Lola called out. "Can you help me out here real quick?"

"Uh, yes, Lola, I'm coming," I pointed my thumb to Lola and Axel gave me a curt nod.

"What's up?" I asked as soon as I was next to her.

"Can you please set up these doilies, my darling? I just have to get more glasses."

"Of course." She handed me the doilies and went to the kitchen.

Behind me, Harry dropped Xan gently to the floor and walked over to Axel.

Lola came back with two more glasses in one hand and a bottle of red juice on the left.

"Apo, can you please try this and tell me if it tastes good?" she asked.

"Sure."

She poured the drink into the glass and handed it to me.

"It's nice to finally meet you, man!" I heard Harry speak.

I glanced to where he was and saw that he and Axel just parted from a quick hug.

"You know, it's odd that I've never heard Laurie talk about you now that you two are together when she would not stop talking about you when she was in high school."

I choked on my drink.

"Oh my God, Laurie, are you alright?" Lola asked with urgency.

I coughed placing the drink down the table. "I'm okay."

Axel suddenly appeared behind me, startling me as he placed his hand on my back. Where the fuck did he come from? "Everything okay?"

I continued coughing, unable to answer, tears welling up as I struggled to regain control of my breath. He patted my back with a cupped hand and then gently rubbed circles to try and soothe the pain.

Noelle and Hailey walked in chatting with each other, "I know right? Now it's like I've got him wrapped around my finger," Hailey laughed. "Get it? Because of the ring?" Then her eyes wandered to what was happening in the dining area, "Oh my God, Laure, what happened?" she rushed to my aid with Noelle right behind her.

"Laurie, are you alright?" worry creased Noelle's forehead then she elbowed Harry, "Hey, you're a doctor, do something."

"Babe, come on, do you think I'll let her die? Just give her a minute, she'll be fine."

I breathed in and out, "I'm fine," I managed to say, still a little breathless.

"See?"

"Are you sure?" Axel asked.

"Yes, really, I'm okay. Just went down the wrong pipe then my throat got itchy."

"I have lozenges in my bag, let me just get it for you," Harry spoke. I nodded and he went to the living room.

"What's happening here?" Dad entered the room with Mom and Josh.

"Nothing to worry about," Noelle answered. "Why don't we go take our places on the table?"

"Hey," Lola spoke suddenly as if she realized something. "That's right," she pointed her finger at Axel. "I remember it now that Harry said something. That's where I knew you from!"

"What is she talking about?" Mom asked Dad in a low voice. "No idea," Dad replied.

"Yes!" Lola continued. "The movie Laurie begged for me to watch with her when she was in the eighth grade."

Oh God, kill me now.

"She did not beg!" Hailey said which snapped my head up to look in her direction, she looked so decisive. "You asked her to come with you."

"No, I remember it well. She asked me."

"Lola, I remember it too. It was the one with Harrison Ford. You wanted to see him but it was a teen movie so you asked Lauren to come with you."

Lola blinked, "Well, that makes sense. I guess you're right, Hailey." She chuckled, "You know my memory isn't the same as it was."

Hailey nodded in agreement like she fully understood Lola's predicament.

My mouth parted at the scene before me. Did she just gaslight my Lola? In normal instances, I'd be against it, but  now I'm kind of thankful because it saved me. Hailey glanced at me and winked quickly.

"Why don't you all take your seats while I call everyone in? I've already called everyone to the table and we're still not complete," Lola said and went to the backyard.

Harry jogged towards me handing me the lozenges. I refused, "It's all good, Harry, I don't think I need it anymore.

"Nah, it's alright, keep it," he took my hand and closed my fingers around the packet of lozenges.

"Thanks."

He nodded, "Anytime."

"Alright," Lola got inside the house with Grandad and Grandpa Frank behind her. "Everybody, take their places," she said. "Let's eat."

The dinner table was a feast and there was even more food in the kitchen. We all dug in and I was glad that everything was casual – no fancy dress codes, no feigned niceties;  just a nice dinner with family and friends.

"So," Grandad spoke. "Let's talk about what we're all grateful for this year. I'll start. I'm glad we are here together."

"Are you sure, John?" Grandpa Frank asked. "I would've guessed you were grateful for your new Porsche."

Grandad laughed, "Well that too, of course. What about you?"

"Me? I'm just grateful for this goddamn turkey."

We all laughed, but it's true. Lola makes the best-flavored turkey.

"Thank you, Frank," Lola said. "Me? I'm just grateful I've lost five pounds."

"That's great, Lola!" I said impressed.

"Although I might gain it back tonight."

Next was my Mom, "I'm grateful Xan learned how to read."

"Hey, I was gonna say that," Noelle spoke.

Mom shrugged with a smile, "What are you gonna say now then?"

"Well, then I guess I'm grateful that my events business is back up again."

"Hear, hear!" Harry hollered then turned to Noelle, whispering 'I'm proud of you' before kissing her quickly. "Me, I'm grateful to see Xan grow to be a lovely girl each day."

Dad spoke, "I'm glad they fixed the stop sign down our street."

"Seriously, Dad?" I spoke and they laughed. "Me, I'm grateful for the growth this year has brought."

"So vague," Hailey commented.

"Hey!"

Axel spoke next to me, "I'm grateful I met Lauren."

Then Josh spoke, "I'm grateful Hailey said yes."

They all cheered and hollered for Josh and Hailey as if I was the only one who heard Axel. I blinked at him but he was busy raising a glass for them.

"Oh," Josh continued. "And I'm also thankful for all of you, especially Noelle, Lauren, and Axel for making the proposal look so beautiful."

"You're welcome, buddy," Noelle said. "Just make sure to clean up the poster in the living room before you go."

"Of course."

"Oh, speaking of posters," Lola pointed out. "That reminds me, I went to your mom's house the other day and I saw posters in the yard."

I paused cutting the turkey then glanced at Hailey. She was just as stoic as I am.

"Posters?" Noelle asked. "What posters?"

"Of him," she pointed her fork towards Axel.

He was taken aback, "Of me?"

"Yes, of you. That's when I realized that's why you looked so familiar the first time we met. Laurie's room was full of posters with your face before."

Everybody stopped eating and looked at me. I felt the heat rise to my face. I don't know if I could even try to lie my way out of this when I'm pretty sure my face looks like a tomato now.

Axel smiled, pleased and surprised, "Is that true?"

I chuckled and ignored him, "Are you sure that was me, Lola? I had posters up my wall, sure, but not of him! Maybe it was Charlie's."

"Your cousin in the Philippines?" Axel asked.

"Yeah!" I nodded. "She was a big fan of yours if you hadn't noticed when we were there."

"But that doesn't make sense," Lola looked baffled. "I said I saw posters of him in the yard just a few days ago."

"Oh, really?" I frowned. "That's odd. Where would that come from? Right?" I gestured at Hailey and she nodded in enthusiastic agreement.

"Right!" She blew a raspberry, "Who would even have posters in this day and age?"

"Xan has a poster of a unicorn in her room," Harry said absentmindedly.

"That's right," Noelle nodded as she placed her drink down on the table.

"Yes!" I concurred. "Kids. Teenagers." I nodded, "Maybe it was the neighbor's."

"Uh-huh," Hailey pointed almost too fast. "Maybe it was Marina's."

"Yes, yes!" I snapped my fingers. "That's it. Marina's what? A teenager now?"

Lola scrunched her forehead, "I think Marina's only nine."

"Oh," Hailey nodded. "That's where it starts, Lola," she said as if it was a matter of fact.

"No," Lola shook her head. "The posters were outside your window."

Fuck my life. My grandmother couldn't take a hint to save my life.

"Whose window?"

"Yours!" Lola's voice raised as if she was tired of me speaking. "And some of it was stuck on the roof."

I widen my eyes at Hailey subtly. I knew I shouldn't have trusted her with that. Her throws were always weak. She averted my gaze, and looked back at Lola, "It's the wind, Lola."

"Yeah, it's probably just the wind," I played it cool and focused back on cutting the turkey on my plate.

I glanced at Axel quickly and saw a smirk playing on his lips. He was containing his urge to smile and grin as to not embarrass me, but damn it, I was still so embarrassed that I wanted to step on his feet.

*      *       *

After the chaotic poster conversation, the dinner went well. We circled back to Josh and Hailey's engagement and their plans for the wedding. I kept an eye on Axel, making sure none of my family gets to corner him and tell him shit about my big crush on him when I was sixteen.

It was so pathetic, looking back, to be obsessed over someone who doesn't even know you. I wanted to go back to my mother's womb whenever I remember how excited I was every time I saw him on TV, how I used to tell boys who like me they don't compare to him, and how I used to practice signatures with the name 'Lauren James'. It was so bad and I am so embarrassed about it. I mean who would've thought we'd end up this way? This was something completely out of my purview, something I never thought would happen. I mean maybe I did at some point, being the wishful thinking teenager, but not seriously.

The night came to an end and we were sat in the back of Josh's old car. He and Hailey were holding hands while he was driving and he'd kiss her hand from time to time, earning giggles from her.

They dropped us off at the hotel and we watched them zoom down the road before going inside. We didn't speak on the way up the rooms. I don't really know what to say to him. This night is the last hurrah of our charade and tomorrow we'll tell everyone we just pretended to be together to distract Hailey.

We've reached the front of our hotel rooms and I was looking for my key card when he spoke, "Hey, are you alright? You seem upset."

I rose my brows at him, "Rule number one, never say that to a girl."

He swiped the keycard to his room, "I was just a bit concerned, that's all. You've been quiet the whole ride back."

"Oh, well, don't mind me. I don't know, just a lot on my mind, I guess."

"Want to get a drink?"

"At this time of night?"

"Oh, please, I'm not talking drinks. We can drink water or tea. You know, just a nightcap."

"You, drinking tea? Oh, wait, that's right, I totally forgot you were the one who drinks vegetables."

I felt like throwing up remembering how it tasted. He laughed then opened the door, "Come on in."

"You know you being 'healthy' and you drinking till you're wasted is so hypocritical."

He chuckled, "I balance it out."

He put on the electric kettle and grabbed two coffee mugs near the kitchen sink.

"Where did you get those teabags? My room doesn't have those."

"I got them from Noelle."

I couldn't hide my surprise, "Really? I didn't know you two were talking."

"We talk. Maybe you just didn't see it." The kettle's light turned off then he poured the hot water on each mug to steep. "You know your sister likes me."

I exhaled a breath.

"Hey, why the huff and puff?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking how we'll tell everyone tomorrow." He handed me the tea. "Thanks."

He sat in front of me and then sipped from his cup, "We can think about it now. If that'll help clear your mind."

I took a sip of the tea and winced at how earthy it tasted. I set the cup aside, "Alright. What do you want our narrative to be?"

He shook his head slightly, "I don't know, the truth?"

"You want to tell them the truth?"

"Yeah? From what I know, coming clean needs the truth. I don't want to play games anymore. Guess I'm too old for them now. If they'll hate me then so be it."

I can't help but smile at how ridiculous he sounded, "They wouldn't hate you. It's impossible. Me, on the other hand," I chuckled then picked up the cup, sipping on the peppermint tea. I looked down at the cup in my hand, watching how it swirled from the movement. "They'll hate me. For sure."

He put his cup down and then wrapped his hands around mine, the heat from his hands competes with the heat of the cup on my palms. He slipped his fingers and grabbed the cup from me. "Hey, look at me."

I raised my gaze to meet his.

"They won't hate you. If there's something I've learned this past week, it's that your family loves you so much and it would never change. They would never hate you. Whatever you do, however you fuck up, they will be there for you. I know I would."

"What?"

"I mean we're friends now, right?"

"I mean yeah, I guess?"

"Friends don't leave each other. Just look at how far you went for Hailey. You even pretended to like me even when you hate me to your guts. I can blame you though, I was an asshole."

I chuckled, "You were an asshole."

He winced teasingly, "Yeah, don't rub it in."

"You were, but I don't hate you. I mean not anymore," I said then scrunched my nose.

"What?"

"I guess I'm still not sure if I don't hate you anymore."

He let out a breathy laugh, "I guess we'll never know."

We fell into an easy silence and I brought my hand away from his grip. "That settles it then. Tomorrow, we'll tell everyone the truth then we wouldn't see each other again."

He blinked in surprise, "Hold up. Why wouldn't we see each other again?"

"Because we'll end this charade?"

"I thought we just established that we are friends?"

"Yeah, but, realistically, you'd be busy with your life, I'd be busy with mine. It's not like we'll make time for each other."

"Friends make time for each other. At least that's what I know."

"Yeah, but let's face it, we're from two different worlds."

"What do you mean different worlds? There is no such thing."

I stood from my seat, "There is. People like me can't just be friends with people like you."

He stood to face me, "What does that even mean?"

I paused, pondering for a while where this conversation will lead, then went for the safe answer, "Fine. We're friends. Let's leave it at that."

"No, let's not leave it at that."

Well, that was unexpected.

"What do you mean by people like you can't be friends with people like me? Am I that repulsive?"

"What?"

"Do you hate me that much?"

"I just told you that I don't hate you."

"But you weren't sure."

"I..." his focus was squared on me waiting for my next words. "I," I exhaled through my nose. "It wasn't like it's easy to forget."

"There it is."

"What did you expect from me?  It isn't like it's easy for me to trust you again."

He looked down, guilty and apologetic.

"Besides, even if that didn't happen, I don't think we can be friends who see each other on the regular."

His head rose in full curiosity, "But why?"

I smiled at how ridiculous his question was, "I mean come on, I work my nine-to-five, you don't need that." His face was painted with confusion. "I'm just stating facts here, James, don't look at me like I'm a unicorn. We're not in the same spectrum that's all. It's- it's difficult."

"Nothing worth having comes easy. That's why it's difficult. Because it's worth it."

"Don't," I shook my head. "Don't come at me like that."

He stepped closer, "Like what?"

"I'm just being a realist here."

"We make our own reality, Lauren."

My brows became stiff as my lips formed a firm line. Silence engulfed the room as we both tried to gauge each other. "Well, then I guess our reality is telling the truth and saying goodbye."

"Is that what you want?"

I stiffen my upper lip, "Yes."

He nodded slowly, "Okay, if that's what you want."

I nodded back, "I should go."

He looked at me with an unreadable expression and yet, despite all the things I've said, his eyes refused to leave me as I left him in his room. The door closed behind me and I found myself walking mindlessly to the bed with my palms digging in my forehead. How did this night take a quick turn? Should I have not said that we wouldn't see each other again? I just wanted to tell him the truth. I just needed him to understand my reality, but why is it that when I saw the disappointment on his face, it was like somebody stuck pins and needles in my heart? Why does it hurt more to see him like that than the impending doom of telling everyone the truth tomorrow? Is it possible that despite everything, I've grown to genuinely like him?

I've had very conflicting and confusing feelings about him lately. We've been hanging around a little too much these past few weeks and it's hard to not develop feelings when we have to act all mushy every time we were around Hailey. I must be very stupid because now all I could think of was how I could manage to go back to the way things were; how I could train myself back to my usual routine without him around, which made me think: Am I sure that I am ready to say goodbye? Was that want my heart truly wants? To be away from him? To not see him anymore? To never be near his touch? Or was it the opposite?

Before I could think about it, my feet took me to the door of the adjoining room with my fist up against the door, ready to knock, as if my body has its own separate mind. But before my knuckles hit the wood, three knocks on my main door caught my attention. I brought my hand down and made my way to the other door. Must be hotel staff. I took a peek at the peephole and almost jolted back in shock. Air left my lungs for a millisecond when I saw the person on the other side. I opened it instantly and asked, "What?" I stuttered, steadying my shaking hands. "What do you want?"

He stared at me with an intensity I'd never seen before. "You." His breath was getting heavier by the second as he stepped over the threshold, moving closer. "I refuse to have a reality without you."

Another step, "You have bewitched me and my entire being. The first thing on my mind as I wake and the last as I fall asleep – you are there in every interval of every second of every day. And I know that  you have me in the palm of your hand. The thing is, I don't mind."

The force was strong and my blood pulls like the tides on a full moon. The pupils of his eyes dilate as we stare into each other until the hypothetical string snapped in half and desire took us over.

His lips collided with mine as his hands cradled my head. This kiss wasn't soft and sweet, it was urgent and hot and heavy and the air was thick with passion and lust.

I pulled away to catch my breath, our lips still touching, I felt how soft and full his lips are against mine, "Your lips feel good."

"Fuck," he groaned. "You can't just say things like that." Then his lips attacked mine fiercely, a magnificent contrast to the way we fell gently on the bed.