Dissipate

Firmly, I held him. “No, I want you to stay.”

Silence elapsed and Aiden continued holding me. Images and the feelings kept replaying in my mind. What we had shared was strong. The beating of his heart was a calming talisman. My eyes eventually shut as the warmth surrounding me lulled me to sleep.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Reaching for my alarm clock, I turned it off. It was five in the morning. An arm tightened around my waist and I froze. Aiden and I had slept together all night.

“I don’t know how you get up this early five days a week.”

I tried to extricate myself from his arms, but gave up in his iron grasp. “It’s not that early. Plus, it’s a good job that keeps my nights free.”

“I think I like it a little better. I’ll get up and head home.” He released me instantly.

I turned and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t be silly. Rest here until you’re ready to get up. I’ll see you at the coffee shop.”

He kissed my shoulder. “Okay.”

Aiden was already falling back asleep as I slipped from the bed. My clothes smelled of him and it was hard to not take deeper breaths than normal.

Hopping in the shower, I washed myself. As my hands touched my breasts, I looked and imagined Aiden sucking on them. His tongue had swirled around the tip as he rolled the other nipple between his fingers. The last thing I needed was to get worked-up again.

The biggest part that I had to accept is that there was a possibility Aiden and I wouldn’t end up together. He’d have all my firsts if things continued as they were and I’d be forever emotionally connected to him.

But, I was connected to Matthew, who I would never see again, and treasured the memories. Aiden didn’t seem like the type to be a jerk. If things did end, I imagined they’d be amicable, allowing us both to remember with fondness what we had.

I laid my head against the shower wall. Sometimes, I felt like I thought about things as if I was forty and not nineteen. The Society matured someone past their years when they grew up there. Quickly I finished my shower and got ready. Makeup was getting easier and quicker to put on. My hair was naturally straight and I left it that way today. I hadn’t mastered the art of curling it. The couple of times I’d tried, I looked like something scary.

Aiden slept peacefully on the bed as I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs. The walk to work was always pleasant. Only a few people were out at this hour. It sometimes reminded me of the peace that always resided over The Society, not the chaos that ruled this culture. There were things I appreciated about my old home, they were few and far between, but they were still there.

Making it to the Iron Horse Coffee Shop, I opened the door. It was an eclectic place. All of the light fixtures were different colors of blown glass. The tables were iron with mosaic tiles that matched the lights. The chairs were made of the same material as the tables.

Behind the glass counter that displayed all of the goodies, my boss placed food inside the case artfully. All foods were prepared daily and fresh.

“Morning, Marie!”

“Morning, Kenzie!” My boss stopped what she was doing and gave me a friendly smile. Marie pushed her cat-eye shaped glasses back up her nose. “Would you mind helping Dominic in the kitchen this morning? Angela called in sick.”

Already heading back, I responded, “Sure thing. Don’t forget I need to leave ten to fifteen minutes early if that’s still okay.”

Running her fingers through her black pixie haircut, Marie looked at the pastry cabinet. “That’s completely fine. Let Dominic know that we

’re going to need some more banana nut muffins and blueberry scones within the hour.”

“Will do.”

I headed back in the kitchen after stowing my backpack in the small office to the right. At the counter, Dominic was adding icing to the cinnamon rolls. Dominic was a burly man who had been working here since Marie’s father managed the place.

“Hey, Dominic. Looks like I’m your helper today.”

“You’re my favorite helper, Kenzie.” He gave me a wink.

“I love working in here too.” I walked over to the sink to wash my hands. Calling back over my shoulder, I delivered Marie’s message. “Marie needs banana nut muffins and blueberry scones within the hour. Where do you need me?”

Dominic started his shift at two in the morning to bake everything. “That’ll be no problem. The scones and muffins will be done within twenty minutes.

Working in the kitchen was my favorite job. It was away from all the people and Dominic was easy to talk to. He seemed fairly protective of me.

Dominic checked his baking goods in the oven. “After you get washed up, can you go to the fridge to get the icing I made yesterday?”