Page 43 of Kiss Me Ever After
“You don’t see what he does for me.”
“Ugh, if you’re talking about what I’m thinking of, you’re right.” I made a face, even though she couldn’t see me.
She giggled. It was nice to hear. There had been little laughter in the flat recently. I hoped with me being gone they could establish some kind of new normal.
“Are you sure Sonya’s okay with you staying there?”
“Well, um, actually I’m staying next door instead. You know Lennon Cole? And what happened at the cafe? She didn’t want to be on her own in the house, so she suggested I stay there instead.”
“I still don’t fully understand why though, Justin. I mean, I sort of get helping out a friend, but…” Mum paused.
I bit my lip. If she had any idea what Ted had done, I was fairly certain she’d side with me.
“Mum, there’s something you need to know…” I began.
“In here, love!” Mum called to someone at her end.
As if on cue, my bruised eye socket throbbed.
Ted was home.
I wondered if he looked any different to me.
“Oh gosh, what happened to you? Let me get a bag of frozen peas for your face.” Seemed he had some presents from last night. Her attention was clearly off me now. “Justin, let me call you back. Ted’s come home, and he looks like he’s been in a fight or something.” The line went dead.
It was clear where her priorities were.
I was so much better off out of there, even if only for a short while.
20
Lennon
“I don’t knowwhy you haven’t had a party here before.” Amber danced around the living room, a paper cup of wine in one hand. “This place is fabulous!”
“Probably because my parents and grandparents were always here?” I answered.
The idea to have an impromptu party had been mine. I wanted to celebrate my freedom and Justin being here. Instead of going out as a group like we had planned, I invited everyone over. There were around thirty people milling around the place, some of whom I recognised, some I didn’t. I wanted to not fuss and worry about having people in the house. I wanted to act casual when something got dropped on the carpet. On more than one occasion, I had to restrain myself from rushing over and picking up whatever I thought might stain the flooring.
Justin barely left my side from the moment the party started. He’d only been here a few days, but already we’d settled into a routine. We grabbed an early breakfast together before heading out to our respective jobs. Then we’d message each other during the day and one of us would sort out dinner. Justin’s cooking skills had pleasantly surprised me – he’d obviously listened to Alex. We spent most evenings watching Netflix. Or rather, making out on the sofa with only a vague idea of what was on the television.
It almost shocked me how quickly we’d settled down as a couple.
I’d popped into the kitchen to get a refill when Justin came up behind me, hands resting on my hips.
His lips grazed the sweet spot behind my ear. “Why can’t we get rid of these people and spend the evening alone?”
“Because it would be rude.” I did a one-eighty to face him. “Although I can’t say I’m not tempted.”
“So do it.” He quirked an eyebrow.
I reached up and stroked the back of his neck before pulling him towards me. “You’ll have to share me for a little bit longer.” I met his lips, my tongue probing into his mouth, deepening the kiss.
“What if I don’t want to wait?” He moved his body flush against mine and I felt his growing erection pressing into me.
I smiled into our kiss.
“Patience is a virtue and when we are alone later, it will besoworth the wait,” I murmured.
