Chapter Sixteen
Jamie
I finished a set of push-ups, although the physical activity wasn’t doing much to calm me down. Liz had looked at me with her heart in her eyes. I’d been so sure she was about to say something different, and then she’d gone on about wanting a serious relationship with Paul, and I just wanted to punch things. Namely, Paul.
I sat on the floor, panting. A car engine revved outside, and tires squealed. I walked over to the window just in time to see Paul’s car speed away down the street. He was driving like he was pissed.
I knew the feeling, but suddenly I was more worried for Liz than anything else. I was only in my basketball shorts, but I didn’t want to waste time finding anything more appropriate. I snagged a shirt, then rushed out of the house and over to Liz’s, tugging on the shirt as I went. As soon as I reached her welcome mat, I knocked on the door, loudly.
“Liz, you in there? Are you okay?”
No answer. Panic started building in my chest.
“Liz. It’s me, Jamie. Are you okay?”
The door opened, and Liz stood in front of me in a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt—she’d changed out of her nice work blouse, and she was in the process of taking out her dangly earrings. “I’m okay,” she said. “Why, what’s going on?”
“I saw Paul take off. He looked angry.”
She nodded. “Yes. He had every right to be.”
I hesitated on the welcome mat. “Do you, uh, do you want to talk about it?”
She finished taking off her second earring and looked up at me. “You know, that would be nice. Thanks. Come on in.”
I followed her inside. Her house smelled like roses and wine, and also her unique, beautiful, womanly scent.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked. “I’ve got beer, wine, water…”
“I’m okay, thanks.”
She gave a shaky laugh. “I think I’ll have some wine, if that’s all right. I could use something to help me chill out.”
“Sure, then I’ll have some with you,” I said. I followed her into the kitchen. The trash can by the counter was stuck open because a giant bouquet of roses had been thrust inside it, and they didn’t fit. I saw a splash of red wine on the outside of the can.
“Wow,” I said under my breath.
She followed my gaze. “Ha, yeah. He left those behind. I don’t want the flowers or the wine he brought. It’s wasteful, but it’s not like I was going to chase him down to give it back.”
She pulled a bottle of white wine from the fridge and opened it, then poured some into two glasses. She handed one to me and took a sip from the other, her pink lips parting slightly. I’d kissed those lips, touched them, and I wanted to kiss them again. Claim them.
But she wasn’t mine.
“So, it seems like you guys aren’t together anymore?” I cursed the hopeful tone in my voice. I adopted a lower, more serious manner. “I’m sorry if it’s hard on you.”
“No, it’s not hard. My choice. I just…” She cleared her throat. “It’s fine. I’m good with this, really.”
“Okay,” I said.
“Living room?” she asked.
“Lead the way.” I followed her into the recessed living room and took one of the arm chairs. She took the couch, curling her legs up and sitting cross-legged. She took another deep gulp of wine.
“So how’s work?” she asked. “Your app that you’re developing, is it coming along this week?”
“Yeah, definitely. Aaron’s super excited about it. You should see him telling everyone about the ‘new project.’ He sounds like a proud father.”
She laughed. “That sounds great. You sound like you’re doing really well.”
“I am. I gotta admit, last night was a bit of a blow, but I’ll bounce back like I always do.” I didn’t want to tell her just how insane with jealousy I’d been only a few minutes ago, and how now I was practically crowing in victory over the fact that she was sitting here, heartbroken over stupid Paul.
I wanted to be a nice guy, I really did. But I’d hated the idea of her being happy with some other guy.
She finished her glass of wine. I’d barely touched mine, but I took another sip. The wine was smooth and flavorful. On any other day, I’d try to be more present in the moment to appreciate it more fully. But right now, Liz had all my attention.
“That’s one thing I really admire about you, Jamie,” she said, giving me a brief smile. “You’re so composed about everything. And right now,” she said with a little laugh, “right now I’m completely falling apart about all the things that need to be said, that have been said, and should maybe be explained…”
Suddenly, her eyes were shining with tears. Liz was crying.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I said.
“No, it’s not. I messed up big time. I totally manipulated Paul, even though I didn’t mean to or even want to.”
I didn’t even think about it, just set my wine glass on the coffee table, got out of my chair, and took the three steps to the couch so I could sit at her side. I wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into me.
I took her wine glass and set it on the coffee table next to mine, and pulled her in closer. “Things are going to be just fine,” I said. “Don’t worry, okay? You’re not a bad person. Your intentions were good, whatever they were.”
She sniffled. “I was trying to get over you.”
I leaned back slightly in surprise. I had to see her face, to see if I’d heard her correctly. “Liz?” I asked.
She looked up. Later, when I looked back at this moment, I knew I wouldn’t be able to remember who kissed whom. Her mouth and my mouth were suddenly together, and our lips were moving, pressing together in a kiss that was so romantic and perfect, I knew neither of us ever wanted it to end.