Don't Be In Love

by Liana Cincotti

I hadn’t realized how long I had been staring until his laugh ceased and his gaze caught me like an arrow to the chest. Shit. Should I wave? Turn around and pretend like I hadn’t been staring? The dinosaur trick? Maybe I— His face bloomed into something earnest. I was expecting discomfort. A sweeping glance in the opposite direction. But he stared right back at me. Silver rings rubbed at the side of his neck. Placing a hand in his pocket, I watched as his lips mouthed one word: Wow. I shook my head, as if to say, Do you ever stop? ​He rolled his tongue in disbelief. You don’t believe me? ​I know you. ​His brows rose. Really? ​Yup. ​Maybe I know you. Do you? I bit the inside of my cheek. He tapped his watch. You’re already ready to leave. I pressed my lips together. Point taken. He hid a smile. The lines beside his lips softened like butter as his smile dropped altogether. Opening his mouth, I read the words he shaped out. You look beautiful. My heart thudded against my chest. Thank you, I mouthed back. His face was peaceful. No crease or smirk or fidgeting. It was romantic, in theory. It seemed genuine, in theory. Being told you looked beautiful could confuse anyone. It warmed you from the inside out like a sip of mulled wine running down your throat on a night where the windows were frosted over.