Outdrawn

by Deanna Grey

There was that desire to sketch her again—I want to draw her adjusting the glasses. I always thought Noah had great hands, her fingers long and delicate.

Every emotion I had about Sage was twisted somehow. I wanted to impress her, show her how I was better than her, but also be kind and learn from her.

The wind picked up her scent, carrying it to me. My grip on the phone tightened.

Noah laughed, and I had to look away for a moment, because her neck was exposed. I resisted, pretending to trace the curve of it.

I couldn't give anyone any part of me when I felt so...hollowed out. I couldn't explain that either, because words didn't work like that for me. Only art did,

"Morning," Sage greeted, her tone as lazy and slow as her growing grin. She lifted her leg over the bike, dismounting in a manner I personally felt was unnecessary for public consumption. My temperature rose as she tugged her gloves off with her mouth.

I was starting to wonder if one kiss would fix whatever was going on right now. We’d known each other for too long not to have kissed, right?

Her hand looked nice in mine—protected.

"Can we do that next?" Her eyes were wide with curiosity as she pointed toward a shooting range with paint-filled balloons.

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU KISS SCENE RN.

It only made sense I let her have the reins. Besides, giving up a bit of control to her wasn't scary, not like it'd be with someone else. She was more than capable, and…well, she looked good leading.

are we still talking about the carnival orrr...

The lights from the rides bounced off her glasses, giving them a glow I wished I could capture with oil paints. I was itching to take a photo of her for reference.

She'd flipped most of her twists to the side, and I was having a bit of trouble breathing at the sight of her profile. The woman looked perfect at every angle.

I wanted her, wanted us. The realization was a soft, small wave that barely reached my ankles, and I was going to wade in further, be completely engulfed in whatever an us would look like.

I didn't feel like I deserved a woman like her on top of me, but I was damn glad she was there.

Noah tasted like bubblegum chapstick and felt like a summer evening when the sun’s finally set so the real fun can begin.