I should probably ask her when I’m going to see her again, I want to know when that will be, but I sink my mouth into hers instead. It’s almost as if I’m still trying to keep myself out of trouble, despite the fact that it’s much too late. I’m already in too deep.
“Okay, well send me pictures of your progress. I will need something to get me through the
day.”
We kiss in her door way for a little while longer before I can wrench myself away, and even as I leave I already miss her. It doesn’t help that I’m now off to see Mom who is bound to have a million and one difficult questions for me. It won’t matter to her that I don’t have any answers, she’ll push me until I explode.
What the hell am I doing? Why do I keep sinking deeper and deeper? What is it about Mia?
But I already know the answer. It’s because I like her so damn much, more than anyone who’s ever come before. Maybe even more than when I first met Hayley, when I was so head over heels that I couldn’t see any of her terrible faults, which means I am screwed. Now, if I can just wipe this giant smile off my face and stop looking quite so pleased with myself, then all will be good…
14
Mia
“I don’t know how you can focus,” Kayleigh confides in me. “With the guy you’re seeing right there. He keeps looking at you as well as if you’re everything. He’s falling hard for you.”
I smile to myself and nod. “I know, it’s hard but I’m focused on the end goal. I really want to do well in the marathon now. It’s been such a turning point for me, and I want to do myself proud.”
“Yeah, it really has. I’m glad I suggested it now.”
She watches me running on the treadmill with ease, looking as proud as I feel. My body has improved so much with all this running. I don’t know why I didn’t start exercising much sooner.
“I never thought that I would say this, but me too.”
I dart my eyes rapidly over to Noah, my heart skipping a beat as I do. He’s just so handsome and I can’t believe that I get to keep him as my own. We’ve seen each other twice since I confessed all about my past and it hasn’t seemed to put him off me at all. I think I might accidently end up falling for him…
Even my boring bank job doesn’t feel quite so bad knowing that once I finish work I can either get to painting, train for the marathon, or hang out with Noah. The excitement my life required is finally here.
“You’re actually glowing, that’s what’s brilliant. You look awesome.”
“Don’t say that, it makes me sound like I’m pregnant.”
Her eyes widen with shock. “You aren’t, are you? You are being careful. I know that it’s been a while…”
“Of course I am! I’m not crazy. I know how biology works and I know how to protect myself.”
“Good, good, because that’s a sure fire way to send you flying down the aisle.”
I laugh as if the idea is ridiculous, but getting married to Noah wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Not that I’m in any hurry, I just really like him a lot.
“So, how are things going with you?” I ask, needing to change the subject. “Any new man on the scene?”
“Nah, still just dating. You know me. No one special.”
“Someone will come along, you realize that, don’t you?”
“Oh look at you,” she giggles. “No longer a Debbie Downer when it comes to romance.”
The blush runs all through my body, which is hopefully disguised by the sweat pouring over me.
“I’m not, I just think that… well, you’re awesome, Kayleigh. Someone perfect will come along for sure.”
“I’m not in any hurry.” She shrugs. “When it happens, it happens.”
I wonder if it’s happened for me. So far, me and Noah haven’t had any conversation about ‘us’ which is fair enough, since it’s only really been a short time, but I think it may well head in that direction eventually. We’ve been really open and honest with one another, telling each other everything, it’s been a really refreshing, open relationship where I can just honestly be myself with him…
“Who the hell is that?” Kayleigh’s voice shakes me from my thoughts. “That woman with Noah.”