“Also,” I add quickly as he’s about to say something. “I really need to get this off my chest. I’m not sorry for falling asleep on your couch. I’m definitely not sorry for sleeping on top of you. It felt amazing, and I hate that I had to pretend that it was awkward.”
He smiles, but I hold up my hand as he opens his mouth to talk.
“And.” He chuckles, and the deep sound washes over me like cool rain on a hot summer’s day. “I can’t be friends with you. I want more. I need more. Do you think there’s a possibility that you could have a romantic relationship with me? I know it will take time, but if there’s the slightest chance, I’ll be patient.”
When I take a breath, and I’m about to rattle on, Marcus places his finger on my lips.
“Are you going to stand outside the whole night, or would you like to come in?” he asks playfully.
“I’d like to come in,” I mumble against his finger.
He takes hold of my shoulders and pulls me into a hug. When his arms wrap around me, I press my face into his chest.
I try to swallow back the overwhelming feeling of happiness, but a tear still manages to sneak over my cheek. I wipe it away and wrap my arms around his waist. He moves one hand to the back of my neck and holds me tighter as he buries his face in my hair.
After a few minutes he turns us away from the door, and I hear him closing it before he resumes holding me.
I can stand like this forever.
Breathing his familiar scent, I still think nothing will ever smell as good as Marcus.
Hearing his heart beating against my ear, I know it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.
When he pulls back, I reluctantly let go of him. Nervous about where we will go from here, I tuck some hair behind my ear and smile shyly up at him.
“I’m sorry I got the wrong idea when I saw you with your dad,” he says, as his eyes lock with mine.
Those eyes. I missed them so much.
My entire world is captured in the piercing blue of his eyes.
“I got us Chinese,” he says as he turns and walks to the kitchen. “I got those spring rolls you like so much. At least, I hope you still like them.”
“I do, and I’m starved.”
We fall back into our routine as we move the food to the coffee table, and sit on the floor while we eat. Our eyes keep wandering back to each other, which makes us laugh.
I lied when I said I was starving. I have no appetite and judging by the fact that Marcus isn’t touching his food, tells me he feels the same.
I manage to eat one spring roll. I can’t force anything else down. Marcus cleans up, while I pick a movie.
When he sees that I’ve picked The Notebook, he shakes his head.
“What? I think it’s fitting,” I defend my choice.
“Don’t blame me if I fall asleep,” he warns playfully.
“As long as you know I’m leaving your ass on the couch, Pretty-Boy.”
When the intro to the movie starts, Marcus whispers, “There’s still a lot we need to talk about.”
I move to pick up the remote so I can pause the movie, but he stops me.
“Not now. Let’s watch the movie first.”
“Okay.” Feeling a little uncertain, I lean back against the couch.
Marcus might as well talk now because there’s no way I can focus on the movie.