Page 62 of Pieces of Us

I cock my eyebrow, a smirk forming on my mouth. ‘Because I’m about a second away from tearing into your pussy, your ass and your mouth, and I won’t leave until my cum drips out of every one of your warm, tight holes.’ I’m cocky as shit. I’ve taken a risk, and I’m not sure if it’s going to pay off, but I’m all about honesty these days, and I promised I’d never hide my thoughts or feelings from her again.

Her mouth gapes open perfectly, giving me a pretty look into just how well my cock would slide in there.

‘Up you get, Hart. We both need a time out from all the heaviness. Think of this as a trial for us moving forward.’ I tap her leg to get her scooting.

Leaping off the couch, I hear her lowly mutter that I’m the devil as she slinks away. I tip my head back and cackle. I feel like a king, knowing that she didn’t put up any fight. This means she’s willing and wants to hang out with me too. It’s a heck of a step in the right direction.

As she gets ready, I pin myself to the couch, flicking through emails. Some time later, she steals my breath as she re-enters the living space. She’s the epitome of sunshine in a paisley dress that is bursting with yellows, oranges and reds. While she always reminds me of the sun, in this moment she also reminds me of a phoenix rising from the ashes. I didn’t know one outfit could draw so much sentimental shit in me, but it fucking does. Her tempting curves are highlighted by the low neckline and strappy strings while her ass fills out the short part perfectly. My hands itch to map out all her new lines. Her dainty gold chain thongs awaken my Amity-only foot fetish with each step she saunters towards me. Her face is bare and beautiful while her hair is wild and scrunched up on the top of her head, fastened by a bandana matching her dress that she’s tied into a 50s-style bow.

Tonight is going to be a long night indeed.

‘Stop drooling and let’s go, Linc.’ She claps her hands as I tear my fist away from my mouth.

There’s a lightness to her that I haven’t seen since she’s been back, and for the first time in a long time, hope flickers in my chest.

A while later, we find ourselves at Miami Marketta. If we didn’t know where we were, it could be virtually anywhere, like the back streets of Thailand, Barcelona or New York. Any and every global street food is at our fingertips. I know it’s the perfect place to take Amity, since it wasn’t here when she left all those years ago. It’s also jam-packed like a can of sardines, so she’ll be a bit more inconspicuous.

The car ride over was quiet but not uncomfortable. When I snuck a glance, I could see she was taking in the familiar yet unknown sights around her. New buildings, restaurants and even something as mundane as roads have sprung up in her absence. The Gold Coast has expanded and moved on, but I never have.

I could have put the top down on my car, but her scent is intoxicating, and I want it to permeate my car. Somehow, she always smells sweet.

‘Want me to let you out so you don’t have to walk?’ I ask as we approach the entrance. She gives me a bizarre look as if my chivalrous behaviour is uncommon.

‘No?’

Sheepishly, I blurt why I offered. ‘Billie hated walking and always made me drop her off.’ It’s a thousand degrees outside, but I believe I just doused the car in liquid nitrogen, because I can feel Amity’s glacial stare pierce through me.

‘I’m nothing like her. When have I ever been that pretentious?’ It’s true. Nothing ever fazed her when we were growing up.

‘I know, baby. I’m sorry. I just. Tonight is a big deal for me,’ I huff, sagging in my seat as I scope out for street parking. ‘I’m so on edge. I don’t want to fuck this…date up.’ I’m so desperate for her to see a future with me, I’ll do anything she asks.

She’s oscillating between reigning in her default mode towards me and telling me off, and giving me grace. Biting the inside of her cheek, I can tell she really doesn’t want to say what’s on the tip of her tongue, which is that this isn’t a date.

Sighing, she lets it go. ‘It’s okay, Linc. Let’s just find a park and eat. This place is a vibe.’

It takes ten more minutes of circling the block to find a spot, and unlike before, the energy feels off. I can see the wheels turning in Amity’s head, like she’s second-guessing being alone with me. Luckily, that energy dissipates when we enter the foodie market. Instantaneously, we’re hit with an aroma of flavours from all corners of the world. The carnival and carts of food are mouthwatering, the crowds are jovial and the eclectic music is upbeat.

‘Want to check them all out before we decide?’ I bump her shoulder with mine.

‘You bet.’ Her eyes sparkle as she peruses each stall. It’s like she’s won the lottery when she spots the simplest of stalls—the fairy floss one. I briefly wonder when the last time she had fairy floss was. If her svelte figure is anything to go by, well before we ever broke up.

I’ll love every version of Amity, but I can’t help the bottomless pit in my stomach when it comes to why she felt the need to lose any weight. Deep down in this abyss, I know the answer. I just don’t want to face it just yet. Ignorance is bliss, right?

‘I haven’t had fairy floss in years,’ she murmurs, unable to peel her eyes away from the sugary spun goodness.

I vow to change that tonight.

‘Let’s add it to our list for later.’

‘Oh, no. I couldn’t.’ She isn’t talking to me. It’s like she’s talking to her inner self, debating the consequences.

‘Sure you can. We are. No ifs or buts about it. How about dinner first and dessert later?’ I steer her away from the trance she’s in, looking at the young girl behind the cart, spinning the sugar in the machine. ‘I’m thinking fish tacos, a kebab and some paella?’ I rub my hands together, eager to sample a variety.

She shoots me a stare as if to tell me I’m crazy. ‘I think I’ll just have a couple of the rice paper rolls over there?’ She motions to where she passed them.

‘Aw, come on! You probably live off those things!’ It’s meant as a joke, but she sighs dejectedly, averting her gaze to the floor. ‘I’m sorry. I’m being a dick. It’s…just hard to reconcile this version of you when all I’ve ever known is…my version.’

‘I know, Linc. So much has changed. I just—I try to be healthy now, because I can’t afford to get sick with my job.’ Her reason is bullshit, but I’m not about to call her out on it because she’s obviously struggling to tell me the truth. ‘How about a compromise?’

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