I hear shrieks coming from down the hall as I open the door and call out a hello. I hold my breath, waiting for her. No one comes out to greet me. I shuck off my shoes at the entryway, and when I walk into my living room, there are colorful sticky notes everywhere.
Colbsteris spelled out in big, bold letters on the main wall in the living room, letting me know, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly who had a hand in this. I walk over to my couch and read the notes stuck to it. The spot with the permanent indentation from my butt is labeled as Colby’s spot, and the seat next to mine, right in the middle, is labeled as Norah’s spot.
Everywhere I look are silly notes. The note on the fridge reads: If you promise to always cook for me, I promise to always lie and tell you your vegetables are just as good as mac n’ cheese.
I hear the front door open and close and turn around to see who it is. I see Hannah through the window, running to her car. Norah is standing at the entrance of my kitchen, looking very uncertain. Her hands are twisted together in front of her, and her cheeks are flushed. She looks beautiful. I didn’t know if I’d ever have her in my house again.
“Hi,” she says, waving her hand at me.
“Hi.”
“So, umm. I’ve been doing some thinking,” she says in a quiet voice. I start to move toward her, but she holds her arms out, stopping me. “No, stay over there so I can think.” I nod my head and step back. She rubs her forehead as she thinks of the words she wants to say next.
“I was wrong to end things,” she continues. “I thought you just felt obligated to be with me because of the rumors, which is totally silly. I see that now.”
She pauses, watching me to see my reaction. I inch forward, ever so slightly, and she doesn’t stop me this time. I take that as permission to go to her, and I do. I wrap my arms around her, and pull her to my chest, and breathe in her fresh, clean scent that drives me wild. I think it’s all the hair products she uses to try to tame her hair. They don’t work all that great, but I’m not going to say anything. It smells delicious, and honestly, I’d miss her wild hair if she suddenly figured out how to handle it.
She leans back so she can look me in the eye and says, “I love you, Colby.” I slam my eyes shut, completely overcome with emotion. I’ve longed to hear her say those words. I didn’t think I ever would, especially after yesterday’s bookstore fiasco.
My hands are shaking as I place them on either side of her face. I run my thumb across her bottom lip, and she sucks in a sharp breath. “You have to say something. I’m a nervous wreck over here.”
I dig my hands into her hair, and she squeals. “Colby, my hair is going to revolt.”
I laugh and duck down until my lips are a mere centimeter from hers. “Lady, when is your hair not revolting?” She huffs out an exasperated sigh. She’s about to make some argument against me, but I silence her when I pull her lips to mine. She sighs again, this time in pleasure. Her arms go around my neck, pulling me closer to her, and I lift her off her feet and carry her to the living room, never taking my lips from hers.
She pulls back from me and says, “You know, you still haven’t said anything.” Serves her right after running out on me yesterday. I put it all on the line for her, and I had to wait half a day to get a response. But I’m a gentleman, and I won’t make her wait any longer.
“I love you, lady. You already know I do.” I kiss her nose, both of her cheeks, and that deliciously soft skin just beneath her ear. I look back up at her smiling face.
“I love you, too.” We’re about to kiss again when the front door opens, and I hear my sister’s voice coming from around the corner.
“Hey, umm, sorry to interrupt and all, but this baby is pushing on my bladder. I’m going to pee my pants. I’m not even joking!” Norah laughs as Hannah darts through the living room, mocking us by covering her eyes.
We sit on the couch, Norah snuggled up under my arm. “What is Hannah doing here?” I ask.
“Someone had to let me into your house.” I think back to my friends' insistence this morning and their worried faces when I refused to go with them.
“This was all carefully coordinated, wasn’t it? You had Seth and Jameson come get me this morning.”
“Yep,” she says with a pleased smile on her face. I grab her chin and tilt her face to me so I can kiss her again. Hannah chooses that moment to come out of the bathroom and completes the moment with dramatic gagging sounds.
“I’m going home! See ya later, lovebirds!” she calls out before she walks out of the house.
Finally, I can have a moment of peace with the woman I love!