When in Rome

by Sarah Adams

I don’t even know him and I feel safe. Noah is the blanket fort you used to make and hide in as a kid. So warm and reassuring.

I just want someone to play Scrabble with me and get snuggly in a blanket.

The longer I’m here, the more I feel my limbs tingling back to life. It seems important to stay, no matter how awkward it feels.

For a split second, I thought someone slipped something in her drink and I was about to flip every table in that bar until I figured out who did it.

I’m realizing that he seems to think Noah and I are a package deal, and for some reason, I’m not mad about it.

I want to know him. Every nook and cranny of him. I want to study him like I’m cramming for an end-of-the-year exam.

We make eye contact and he doesn’t smile at first, but the longer he looks at me, his lips start to rise in the corners like he just can’t help himself. And all at once, I think maybe my chances aren’t hopeless after all.

And I realize in this moment, I’d do just about anything to make her laugh.

It’s quiet in here and safe. Just like Noah.

“Dammit,” he whispers and then looks at me one more time. “You look very pretty.” I feel a smile in my soul before it reaches my lips. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.” “It is for me.” And that’s all he says before backing up and driving us both home in stunned silence.

Like the warmth of his hand seeping through my shirt doesn’t send a current across my skin. Like I wouldn’t willingly go with him anywhere he wanted.

Obvious or not, I hate it. I want to kiss her all day every day until I eventually die from lack of oxygen.

Number two, I’d have to be a fool to compete with you after the way she mentioned your name at least a thousand times today.”

He’s a master of fun, and the more I get to experience these small moments with him where his eyes are crinkled in the corners and his mouth is spread wide in a smile, the harder I fall for him.

I never want to not be surrounded by his body. We fit perfectly together and it’s not just because our pajamas most likely came in a set.

He touches me like I’m precious to him. It makes me ache all the more.

“To me, you’re Amelia. Maker of shitty pancakes and a smile that rivals the sun. All I want is you.” And just like that, I feel safe.

I think we’ll get hurt a lot in this life, but maybe it’s worth it because sometimes we will experience really amazing things, too. Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we’ll never know if we don’t try.”