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Cameron’s smiles across the room. Cameron’s thigh pressed against mine underneath the table. Cameron’s wink and a kiss blown my way when he walks backwards out of the room. Our little secrets. I am in heaven, completely under his spell.
It feels like the most natural thing in the world to lean forward and hug him. His arms wrap tight around my torso and I breathe in the scent of him, warm and woodsy. My body softens against him, into a place where I belong. I’d go further, climb into his lap if my whole family weren’t sitting staring at us.
Hannah is in her usual spot, stretched out on the chaise, book in one hand while the other rests a cup of coffee by her hip. I watch her from where I’ve paused halfway down the stairs, wishing I could walk right over and scoop her into my arms. Her hair is pulled into a messy bun, just begging for my fingers to work it loose. Her mouth, currently pouting away at the book I bought her, belongs underneath mine. I feel that in my bones.
If I could just get five minutes alone with her, I’d make those the best five minutes of our lives. Then again, it’s probably a good thing we always have company because five minutes would never be enough to satisfy the need I feel when I look at her.
I want to savour this, savour the way she feels underneath me, her warmth, her skin, the way she smiles, lets it drop for half a second, then smiles again. How is it possible I didn’t even know she existed this time last week?
I love how open she is, how responsive. My fingers find their way into her hair and I spend hours, minutes, seconds, I’ve no idea, stroking through the long strands that have fallen loose from her bun. Her eyes never leave mine, some unspoken conversation passing between us. Understanding, acceptance, love. Fuck. I love her.
This is insane. I just met her, but I know it’s true. I’ve never felt this way before. I felt it the moment I laid eyes on her, and the feeling only deepens the longer we stare into each other’s eyes.
“Then being here, with this view, and this pizza, and this… you…” he presses a kiss to my temple. “Makes me remember there’s a lot more to life than work.”
“Naughton,” he whispers. “What?” “My last name is Naughton. And I want to come and see you in London. Saying goodbye to you will suck. I want to give us a chance to see what this could be, OK?” He believes in this. And his confidence makes me think maybe I could too.
His knowing smiles light a fire low in my belly that doesn’t take long to catch everywhere else. I want him so much, and I don’t know when we’ll be alone together again.
Cameron rushes to my side, pushing my hair back from my face and pulling me into his arms. A small part of me feels awkward that he’s touching me, hugging me in front of my parents, but it’s overridden by relief. Relief that he’s in from the cold, relief that our secret is out there. I hadn’t realised how heavy it felt.
“What’s going on with you and Kayla? Can I ask?” “Same old shit,” he says with a weary shrug. “She’s here, I’m there. It never goes anywhere. It’s not that serious.” I’ve never seen anything more serious than the way these two gravitate towards each other every time they’re in the same location.
Hints
“So about that thing you said earlier,” she says, staring up at me, moonlight reflected in her eyes. “What thing?” “The thing where you said you’re falling for me.” She presses her lips together. “Oh, that thing.” I smile and pull her up by the front of her jacket so I can snake my arm underneath her. “Any chance I can wipe that from your brain and you can act real happy and surprised when I say it again?” “I don’t think I can do that. Unless you didn’t mean it?” “Oh no, I definitely meant it. It’s just… this is wild, right? We just met, and I’m feeling all these things I’ve never felt before.
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He speaks as if I’ve brought out the best in him, when I feel he’s brought me out of my shell, too. Maybe we’ve both given each other the push we needed in life.
As far as Mac’n’Please subscribers are concerned, I’m in London for a year to travel, expand my horizons, and find inspiration for new audios. What they don’t know is that I’m living in a castle with my very own pretty English princess. OK, so it’s a one-bedroom apartment on a side street, off another side street in Islington, but I sure feel like a prince walking these streets with my girl.
Popping out, as the Brits say, for coffee and pastries on weekend mornings. Visiting museums and galleries. Bar hopping with her new work colleagues on Friday nights. And as far as those people are concerned, I’m a freelance sound guy. I know Hannah isn’t embarrassed about my work, but it’s not always the easiest thing to explain to strangers.
“Can I tell you something?” “Mhmm?” “I love you,” she smiles, eyes floating closed as she nuzzles into her pillow. “Can I tell you something?” I press a kiss to her cheek, resting my forehead against her temple as she drifts off. “I love you more.”
