***
Blake kicked off her shoes and threw herself on the sofa when she arrived home. It had been a long day. She had been busy. She had had so many things to do and supervise. However, the only thing that she was thinking about was Bassem. Her heart had doubled over in her chest when she had seen him. She so badly wanted to wrap her arms around him and press her lips to his but she hadn’t.
It had been the first time that they had seen each other since they had kissed. Blake didn’t know what she had been expecting but it wasn’t that. Bassem had acted as though he had no recollection of the kiss. Blake felt a sharp pain in her heart when she remembered how he had left. He had just walked away in the middle of the conversation. He couldn’t wait to get away from her. He probably regretted kissing her. Blake squealed in embarrassment.
The doorbell rang and interrupted her squealing and self-pity. She rose to her feet and headed for the door. She opened it and found CJ standing there.
“Perfect timing,” said Blake. She turned and headed back to the living room.
“Why?” CJ shut the door behind herself and rushed after Blake.
“I feel weird.”
“Because you are weird.” CJ burst into laughter, but Blake didn’t. She just stared at her with a blank facial expression. “Sorry, what’s the matter?” CJ cleared her throat.
“I told you that Bassem brought me home after we went to find Basil.”
“Yeah?”
“However, I didn’t tell you that Bassem kissed me.”
CJ’s eyebrows shot up into her forehead. “What?” she spat out. She quickly sat down on the sofa next to Blake. “Tell me everything,” she said. Blake shrugged her shoulders.
“The first time he kissed me was actually in the woods before he went out to get Basil. He just gave me a quick kiss as if it were something that we normally did,” Blake explained. CJ curled her upper lip.
“And you waited this long to tell me because?”
“It’s only been three days.”
“That is long to me.”
Blake rolled her eyes. “Then when he drove me home, he kissed me before I left the car.” Blake’s cheeks turned red as she remembered that night. She could still remember the softness of his lips, and the silkiness of his fingertips tracing her jawline.
“Was he a good kisser?” CJ asked. Her question didn’t even shock Blake. Her friend was always too forward. Blake rolled her eyes and leaned her head against the sofa.
“Yes,” she replied. She had never been kissed like that. She was sure she was going to remember that kiss for a long time.
“I’m not surprised. I knew he would make a good lover.”
“He came to the construction site today.”
“And?” CJ’s eyes widened with excitement.
“And nothing.” Blake pouted.
“What does that mean?” CJ frowned.
“We had a short and awkward conversation. He basically came to check on the construction and to just let me know that he was leaving for Al Huddah.”
“He didn’t pull you into his arms and claim your lips with his?”
“Cora, this isn’t a movie.” Blake shook her head as she sprang up to her feet and headed for the kitchen.
“Did he at least say something cheesy like I missed you or I want you?” CJ asked as she followed Blake to the kitchen.
“No.” Blake opened the fridge and pulled out a frozen pizza. She didn’t feel like cooking. She just wanted something that required no effort to make.
“Huh? I’m confused. He didn’t try to flirt with you or anything?” CJ heaved herself up onto the kitchen counter.
“No he didn’t. There was no flirting. He was acting as though nothing happened. He was probably regretting it.” Blake peeled off the cover and put the pizza in the oven.
“Will you confront him about it?”
“No.” Blake turned the oven on. She heaved herself up onto the white kitchen counter. “What would I say?” she asked.
“Get straight to the point. ‘Do you regret kissing me?’”
“Ha!” Blake burst into laughter. “I don’t want to hear the answer to that.”
“So what will you do?”
“Act like nothing happened and just do my job.”
CJ raised an eyebrow. “That is a bad idea,” she said.
“It’s actually a good idea,” Blake replied. CJ sighed.
“I guess you can wait to see what he says or does. Then judging from how he’s acting you can decide whether you want to confront him about it, move on or kiss him again.”
“I am not going to initiate a kiss!” The thought of it made Blake shy.
“You’re such a chicken,” CJ teased.
“I don’t care, I will not do it.” Blake laughed. CJ laughed with her.
“This pizza needs to hurry up and cook. I am starving,” she said. CJ was always inviting herself over for meals. Blake was used to it.
“Me too,” Blake replied.