The Write Off: An Enemies To Lovers Romantic Comedy (Love In 2C Book 3)

Chapter 19

Logan

I once took a class back in college where we discussed the invention of the printing press. The prof referred to it as a watershed moment. She then went on to explain that watershed moment is an idiom that refers to an important event that changes the direction of history. Some of these events are important to the entire world, while others are significant to smaller populations or even individuals.

Sex with Rilla is definitely a watershed moment for me.

I know without a doubt that being with her tonight will have a lasting impact on the rest of my existence. It may very well change the very trajectory of my journey through life.

I should continue this philosophical journey of self discovery sometime when I’m not lying on top of her.

The moment I roll onto my side, Rilla is out of bed and moving. I watch her grab a handful of clothes from a nearby basket on her bedroom floor and disappear into the hallway. The bathroom door closes a moment later.

Not a cuddler, I guess.

I stand up too quickly causing the blood to rush to my head. My heart is still racing from the almost crippling orgasm I just had. I sit back on the bed while I get my balance back, removing the condom and throwing it into a waste basket by her bed. Grabbing my discarded boxer briefs from the floor and slipping them on, I then proceed to gather the rest of my clothing, piece by piece. I take advantage of my newfound solitude and try to figure out what comes next.

I’ve had one-night stands before; what happened tonight, the intimacy shared in this room obliterated them all. Every breath, every gasp, every sigh spoke more than words ever could. I’ve never felt such a powerful connection to another person. Time itself seemed to slow as we explored each other’s bodies and nuances. The way we challenged one another for control was both thrilling and oddly comforting. There was a vulnerability in her I’ve never seen and a raw desire I’ve never felt.

Yes, she drives me crazier than I ever thought possible. She finds buttons on me I didn’t know I had and pushes them with a smile on her face. Every time I’m with her, she peels back another layer, unraveling the carefully constructed walls I’ve spent years building with effortless ease. She is a tempest, a force of nature that defies explanation, leaving me teetering on the edge of sanity and somehow still wanting more. When I’m with her, logic succumbs to desire, and rationality becomes a distant memory. Will being with her complicate my life in ways I might not be prepared for? Almost certainly.

I’m not naive. I know that pursuing whatever this thing between us is might not be easy, but trying to fight what I’m feeling for her would be so much harder. Why exhaust myself trying to swim against the tide when I can choose to let go and see where the currents take me?

It didn’t feel like a single event, but a beginning and an important one at that. But given Rilla’s swift exit, I fear it may be over before it’s truly started.

I don’t want it to be over.

I’m pulling my shirt over my head when she returns wearing shorts and an oversized tee. Her face is flushed and her chestnut curls are wild and as untamed as she is. She’s so beautiful it steals my breath. How is it possible that I just had her and still want her so badly? Seeing her delivers a pang of longing that borders on pain. I want nothing more than to pick her up and pin her to the bed again.

“I’ll walk you out,” she says brightly. She’s hiding behind a veil of indifference as though we didn’t just alter both of our existences as we know it.

Still, I follow her down the now dark hallway I carried her through not long ago. The movie is still playing on the tv, the characters appearing to be engaged in battle.

“Long movie,” I say in a lame attempt at conversation. “Is the little guy about to destroy the ring?”

“God, no. His journey’s just beginning. There are two more movies to get through.” She hands me my coat from the closet as I shove my feet into my shoes. I take the coat from her and before I can think of the right thing to say, she opens the door and says, “So I’ll see you around?”

I flinch like she’s landed a physical blow. She’s being so nonchalant, and even though, deep down, I know this is her way of protecting herself, it still hurts.

“Um…yes. Absolutely.”

“Cool. Cool cool cool.” She nods, clearly ready to put this awkward goodbye behind her. As I walk through the door, hesitantly, she adds, “Well…drive safe.”

“You too.” Idiot. “I mean, thank you. I will.”

She smiles and gives me a nervous little wave before closing the door in my face.

I stand there, frozen in place for a full minute staring at the door to apartment 2C. My brain tells my body to start walking to the elevator, but my feet refuse to comply. I don’t want to leave things like this.

With a heavy heart and heavier feet, I make myself turn and start down the hall. I knew crossing this line with Rilla was a gamble, but I truly believed the odds would be in my favor. Leaving now, like this, feels like turning the last page of a beloved book, reluctant to admit that this is really the end.

I press the down button and the doors open immediately, as though the elevator knew I’d fail and was waiting for me. Instead of stepping in, I stand there thinking of all the things I could have and should have said to her.

Things I still can say to her.

I do a one-eighty turn, leaving the elevator empty and waiting. When I reach her door, I knock loudly and hold my breath.

The door opens almost immediately to reveal a confused looking Rilla. Was she waiting on the other side, hoping I’d come back? “Did you forget something?”

“I did.” I step through the doorway and kiss her. She doesn’t hesitate to kiss me back, her body melting against mine. It feels like a reset. Like the last awkward five minutes didn’t happen and we’re right where we should be. I break the kiss before I’m ready, leaning down to rest my forehead against hers. “Have coffee with me tomorrow morning?”

“Okay.” She seems mildly disoriented by either my return or the kiss. Perhaps both. She straightens her shoulders and takes a step back away from me. “To talk about the book?”

“No, Rilla. I don’t want to discuss the book.” I lean on the door frame, trying to read her. She looks how I feel, a mixture of confusion and hopefulness in her expression. “We’re not going to pretend this didn’t happen. It happened. I’m glad it happened and I want us to focus on what happens next. So take tonight and think about what you want. I’ll do the same.”

She worries her bottom lip, considering my proposal. “What if we want different things?”

I release the breath I was holding and give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Then we want different things. And we’ll figure out what comes next together.”

She nods but still looks uncertain. “Sure. That makes sense, I guess.”

“Tomorrow at South Street Diner? Ten o’clock?”

“Yes. I want pancakes.”

This woman.

“You can get pancakes.”

“I wasn’t asking permission. I was telling you.”

The huff of laughter is still on my lips when I plant a quick kiss on hers. “Goodnight, Rilla.”

“Goodnight, Logan.”

I leave the apartment for the second time feeling much lighter than the first. I meant what I said; I’m not pretending tonight didn’t happen. If she doesn’t want it to happen again, I’ll respect her decision, but I’m not planning to go down without a fight.

There is something between us. I think it’s been present since the first time we met. I don’t know if it’s just physical attraction or if it goes deeper. But it’s there and it deserves to be explored.