Page 32 of Trust Fall
“I’ve been wanting to do that since you took your coat off when we got here.” Cleo breathed softly against her neck as she lifted the coat up onto Ivy’s shoulders.
“I... I’m glad you did.” Ivy found herself flustered at the small, intimate gesture.
As she turned to face Cleo, their phones both alerted them to the arrival of their taxis.
“Shall we?” Cleo said, gesturing for Ivy to walk ahead of her.
Reaching out for Cleo’s hand, Ivy entwined their fingers as they made their way out of the bar and back into the quiet side street. Once the door closed behind them, Ivy felt a small tug on her hand, and as she turned around to face Cleo, she felt their lips meet. This time, with no one else around, the kiss was deeper, needier, and in Ivy’s opinion, the most perfect end to the most perfect night.
Cleo was the first to speak when their lips finally parted, as their foreheads rested against each other's. “I had an amazing night, Ivy. Thank you for bringing me here.”
Ivy pulled back and lifted her free hand up to cup Cleo’s cheek, gently rubbing her thumb across it in an arc. “Believe me when I say it was my pleasure,” Ivy replied as she leaned in to place a lingering kiss on Cleo’s lips, with a grin that almost made her cheeks ache.
They made their way to the front of the building where their taxis sat, waiting. They checked their phones and ensured theyknew which one was theirs, but neither made a move to get in yet.
“Can we meet again?” Ivy found herself asking shyly.
“Beautiful girl, did the kiss back there give you any reason that you even need to ask?" Before Ivy could answer, Cleo continued, “because if it did, I’m willing to try again to reassure you that I mostdefinitelywant to spend more time with you.” Ivy’s heart swelled in her chest as Cleo wrapped their joined hands behind Ivy’s back to pull them closer, and their lips met again.
Ivy’s phone alerted her to a new message while she was still a few minutes from her apartment.
Cleo:That’s me safely home, beautiful. I had the best night, truly. Let me know when you make it back to your apartment, ok? XO
Her head swirled as she read the same term of affection that Cleo had called her beside their taxis, and her belly swooped at the kiss at the end. Talk about swoony! Ivy couldn’t believe this was her life right now. After all these years of waiting, she could never have imagined that the woman she’d pined after for so long, would be even more amazing in real life now that she was getting to know her.
She typed out a quick reply.
Ivy:Thank you for trusting me when I took you down a side street to what looked like a creepyshopfront. I should be back in a few minutes, but I’ll let you know. XO
She noticed another message come in on her phone.
Gabby:Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do ;P
Letting out a slight groan as she rolled her eyes, Ivy fired off a quick reply of “stop it,” to Gabby as she waited the last few minutes before the taxi pulled up to her street.
Once inside her apartment, she removed her jacket and boots, then made her way to the bedroom where she collapsed on her bed and dug her phone out of her jeans pocket.
Ivy:That’s me back safe, gorgeous. Tonight was perfect, I can’t wait to spend more time with you. XO
Chapter 29
Cleo
The following morning, Cleo lay awake waiting on her alarm to go off in five minutes’ time. The smile on her face had been there since she woke ten minutes earlier, having spent the entire night dreaming of the incredible woman she’d spent four more hours with the night before.
She knew it was ridiculous to feel so strongly after such a short period of time. It wasn’t like she was a teenager who’d yet to haveher heart broken and was entirely carefree. It was just that, well, the connection she felt with Ivy was different to anything she’d experienced before. Not even with... well, not with anyone else. Yet she couldn’t control her heartbeat when a message came from Ivy just before the alarm went off.
Ivy:Good morning gorgeous, I hope you slept as well as I did. I’m working all weekend but I’d really like to see you next week. Let me know when suits you? XO
Her smile grew at the term of endearment. A contented sigh escaped her lips as she thought about how close and comfortable they had sat together last night. How incredibly easily they talked about anything, everything, and nothing all at once. She thought back to their first kiss of the night, and the way Ivy had rested her head on Cleo’s shoulder just moments before. She couldn’t believe how natural it felt to be so intimately close on just their second date. It was like they’d been a couple for months already. She didn’t think she’d be able to let herself get as close to anyone again. But with Ivy, it just felt right.
Maybe next week she would bring up making them official. If that was even still a thing. It had been so long since Cleo had been involved in such a conversation, she wasn’t even sure how to bring it up. She’d have to grit her teeth and ask Lana’s help. Which she knew she’d regret.
She replied to Ivy before getting ready for work.
Cleo:Good morning beautiful, I had the sweetest dreams of our date last night so I’d say I slept well too. I’m free every weekday evening other than Fridays (family dinner) - so whenever works around your shifts, I’ll make it happen to see you. XO
Cleo took a little longer getting ready this morning than usual and tried on multiple outfits before settling on her dark green suit and black shirt and heels, and while she told herself it had nothing to do with whether Ivy was working that morning or not, she knew she wasn’t even convincing herself.
