Page 37 of Face Off
I kissed him.
No. He kissed me. And I kissed him back.
God, did I kiss him back.
I drop my keys on the counter and pace my flat, running my hands through my hair like that will somehow clear the heat still humming in my skin. My head keeps replaying it. The way Ollie leaned in so carefully, the way he gave me every second to pull away, and the way I didn’t. Couldn’t.
And then that first touch of his mouth. Soft, then hungry, like he couldn’t help himself. Like I’d been right all along and I wasn’t the only one holding back.
I groan and flop onto the sofa, covering my face with my hands. What the hell have I done?
My phone buzzes.
Of course it’s Hannah.
Hannah: Well??? Did you see him? Did he walk you home??
Of course, I’d let slip earlier to her that I was going to wander past the pub. Just to see if he was there. I stare at the screen, chewing my lip. If I tell her the truth, she’ll never let me live it down.
Me: We walked. Talked. It was fine.
The three dots appear instantly.
Hannah: Fine??? Babe. You do not pace-type “fine.” Spill.
She knows me too well. I huff a laugh despite myself.
Me: He kissed me.
The dots appear. Then vanish. Then appear again.
Hannah: OH. MY. GOD.
I roll my eyes, grinning helplessly.
Me: It wasn’t planned. It just happened. Outside my flat.
Hannah: And??? DETAILS.
I sink lower into the cushions, heart racing all over again.
Me: It was intense. Good. Too good. I’m still buzzing.
Hannah: Babe, I can HEAR you blushing through the phone.
She’s not wrong. My face is on fire.
Me: I didn’t invite him in.
Hannah: Sensible.
Me: Feels cowardly.
Hannah: No. You did the right thing. Boundaries. Control. Next time you can invite him in. ;)
I groan, tossing the phone aside.
Next time. Just the thought makes my stomach twist with nerves and something far warmer.
