Page 46 of Broken Pieces
Taking off the gloves and putting them on the counter, I place my hand on her warm cheek. “Of course. You didn’thave to ask me. I wasn’t planning to. Your secret is safe with me.”
Her head rests on my palm as she closes her eyes and sighs. “Thank you.” She gulps. “Your secret is safe with me too, you know?” she whispers.
With my thumb, I caress her soft skin as I watch her intently. There are so many things I want to say to her right now.
I know. I trust you with my life.
You're the quiet in my loud.
In the storm of my life, you’re the serenity that anchors me.
Instead, I just nod.
The air fills with a thick tension. She’s being vulnerable with me, again. Makes me feel good; accomplished. I’ve got the feeling she hates being open in front of people, so the fact that she’s doing it with me gives me another sliver of hope.
Her eyes open softly and she looks up, locking her gaze on me. Andfuck, I could get lost in those deep hazel eyes—scratch that—I already do. And her lips, that for the first time don’t have her usual inviting red, but I dare say they’ve never looked more enticing than this moment in their natural soft, plush pink color.
Her eyes, though, are my kryptonite. “Those hazel eyes of yours, like pools of liquid amber. I could get lost in them forever,” I confess.
Her glassy eyes snap to mine in shock at my confession. She starts roaming her gaze all over my face. I do the same, because honestly, I don’t tire of it. Her hand lifts up softly, her delicate fingers interlacing with my hair. While I usually have my hair brushed, not a hair out of place, today I opted for a natural look, letting my lazy curls roam free and do their thing.
“Never seen your hair like this. I like it,” she compliments.
I brush my thumb over her lips and whisper, “And I’ve never seen your lips without their usual red. They’re lovely.” I smile lazily.
I could compliment every inch of her. Every freckle; every strand of hair; every curve. She’s perfect. I wish nothing but for time to stay still, to have the opportunity to stay here in this moment; forever. She, with her fiery self, somehow infiltrated my life and has become the light that deep down I wished for, but never thought I could find.
How do you walk into your place of employment and act like everything’s normal?
After spending all day with Damian yesterday cooking, laughing, and just having the best fucking time, I’m left in the middle of a stir of emotions that I don’t understand. I got to see another side of him for once—a normal, sweet, and really fun guy. His emerald eyes which are typically beautiful, but dull, were so full of light and life, and I just wish I get to see that life in him every day from now on.
His confession took me by surprise, and it has been replaying in my head in an endless loop.
Those hazel eyes of yours, like pools of liquid amber. I could get lost in them forever.
I could get lost in them.
Forever. Forever. Forever.
I haven’t even told the girls what happened yesterday, and I don’t think I want to. Selfishly, I want this moment for myself and to keep it safe in a bubble.
Finally giving up, I walk into the gallery, do my best acting, and pretend my Sunday was just a normal, reset day. Nothing groundbreaking happened.
Except something did happen, and you haven’t stopped thinking about it.
Walking up the stairs, Isabella welcomes me and darts her arms and hands, wanting me to give her the usual cup of coffee I bring her every day. I place the cup in her hands, and she quickly chugs half of it in one sitting.
“Tired?”
She nods. “I stayed up late reading. My eyes still hurt, and I was in serious need of another cup of coffee.” She stares at the drink carrier with two cups. “I see you’re tired too.”
“Oh no, the other one is not for me. It’s for…” I blush lightly.
“For…?” Isabella prompts.
“Damian.”
She brings her hand to my forehead. “Do you have a fever? Who are you and what did you do with my friend?”
