Page 89 of Moonstruck at Midnight
I nodded once. I guess he was right, but the feelings were all still so fresh. Raw.
“So, when’s your mother’s death anniversary?” He probably wanted to change the subject. He had shared more than I expected him to, and I did too. Plus, I knew he liked asking questions, the good kind of questions. And I enjoyed answering all of them for him.
“May 14,” I replied. William’s smile melted away. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He pressed his lips into a tight smile.
“What is it?” I insisted. He laid on his side next to me, holding his head with his hand. I slid to my side as well to face him with my hands under my face like a sleeping baby.
“That’s my birthday,” he confessed.
“What? May 14? You’re kidding me,” I said, sitting up straight, looking down at him.
“I’m not. It is.” He smiled and laid on his back again. “It’s crazy, right? I guess you’ll never forget my birthday.” William reached out for my hand and pulled me down to lay beside him. He turned to his side again, and our eyes were now leveled. “When’s your birthday?”
Thatwascrazy.
His face was drawing near mine. His gaze on my lips. “Um—April 11.”
“Noted,” he whispered, brushing my lower lip with his thumb. “Can I kiss you?” I nodded, and he slowly moved his lips to mine. It was the softest kiss ever.
He placed his hand on the small of my back and pulled me closer to him. “You’re the first girl I’ve kissed in this room.” He kissed my cheeks. “No. You’re the first girl to ever set foot in this house that’s not Lily.” He kissed my neck. “And there I was thinking I hadn’t any firsts left in me, but I guess there are still some for you to claim—if you want to. Because I wasn’t lying when I told you I’d be taking care of the rest of yours.”
I grabbed his face and kissed him because, I mean, come on. That’s a speech if I ever heard one. This guy was killing me. Asking about my mother, opening up himself to me, saying all the right stuff, serenading me with his guitar. My God. He wasn’t afraid to go into deep conversations, and I needed that. I appreciated it.
I slowly broke away from the kiss and brushed his lower lip, still moist, with my thumb. I turned away from his face and couldn’t stop myself from yawning. “That’s my cue to leave,” he said, kissing my hair. He stood up and walked toward the door.Stay!“It’s been a long day. You should rest. I’m keeping you awake, and I can see you’re exhausted. I’ll go downstairs and wonder how my t-shirt looks on you.” He raised a brow with a naughty smile. “Or perhaps you want to hike up your robe a little more?” I sat up straight on the bed while he laughed.
“Never!” I closed my robe’s flaps even tighter.
“That’s going on my very long list one way or another.” He found my eyes and opened the door to leave. “Good night, älskling.” I parted my lips, but he closed the door behind him.
“Stay,” I said in a breath, wishing I had the guts to have said that before he left.
July 19, 2009
A BRIGHT RAY OF SUNSHINEpeeked through the window curtains, drawing lines of light in the room.What time is it? I sat up in the bed, forgetting for a second where I was.Ow! My head was throbbing, my mouth was dry, and I felt a faint nauseating sensation in my stomach. Now,thatwas officially my first real hangover. Both physical and moral.
I couldn’t help but feel so much guilt for having kissed William the night before. I knew I had broken up with Thomas, but it felt too fast—too planned, almost. I wasn’t aware William was going to show up. And being drunk and feeling hurt didn’t do much to help my case.
Trying not to think back on all that kissing was probably the hardest part of all. It’d been perfect. And not just that, but our conversation too. I could’ve stayed up all night just talking if he wouldn’t have left.
I walked to the bathroom and saw my clothes neatly folded on top of a small bench beside my purse. They had been washed and dried. I was sure Lily did it. She was the sweetest. I wondered how my things got in here because I didn’t notice anyone coming in while I was asleep.
I took my robe off and smiled at my reflection in the mirror. I shook my head with a snort as I took William’s shirt off my back. I changed into my clothes, washed my face, brushed my teeth, and pulled my hair into a ponytail.
I didn’t have any makeup with me but a single lipstick, so I dabbed my lips and cheeks with it to look less like a person that was about to faint.
The curtains opened once I clicked the small remote William left for me on the nightstand to admire the breathtaking view. I would spend as much time as I could in this place if I were him.
But not me. I needed to leave.
I made my way downstairs and saw William, Lily, and Joel sitting outside on the terrace table. It looked like they had already finished eating and were just talking and drinking coffee.
The bright light of day was blinding and made my head hurt even more as I stepped outside. I grabbed my sunglasses out of my purse and put them on. The polarized shades instantly relieved my temporarily sensitive eyes.
The sight of the black SUV parked in the driveway made me snap back into reality. The three of them were standing in the distance, waiting for me. I was sure I would get scolded for what happened the day before, and I really wasn’t in the mood for it. I could see Caleb staring from the corner of my eye.
“Good morning,” I said to everyone. William looked at me with a smile, and I smiled back as the events of last night came flashing back all at once. Seeing him sitting there in front of me made everything feel so surreal but special, too.
