Chapter 09 PETER
I can’t hear the running water or the sound of birdsong anymore. All I can hear is my heart thumping like a metronome as we walk back to the studio.
I’m lost. My entire body rebelled when Sadie said this was over.
The pressure in my eyes grows with each step we take away from that lovely creek. Dread envelops me, knowing that this beautiful moment is over.
I’d love to ask Dylan for a drink or a coffee sometime, but it seems wildly inappropriate.
Sure, he had a crush on me in college. That’s not so unusual, I imagine. I’m…an elder. I possess knowledge. It’s natural for a person who’s young and impressionable to feel an attraction to someone who’s like a mentor.
That doesn’t mean he feels that way now.
Though his hand and his eyes told me otherwise.
Sadie shakes both our hands and assures us she’ll send digital copies of the photos once they’re ready. Dylan and I walk back to our cars.
Silence descends. I haven’t a clue what to say.
We reach his car, and Dylan turns. “It was really great seeing you again, Peter.”
It sounds nice when he says "Peter" instead of "Professor Duncan".
“It was an absolute pleasure.”
Silence again. He doesn’t get into his car, and I don’t walk away. My mind tells me to, but my feet are glued to the spot.
Dylan looks down, brushing his foot over some pebbles, and I rub the back of my neck.
“Well—”
“I should get to my shift.”
“Yeah,“
I say in a defeated tone.
I turn to leave, but then something takes over me. I can’t walk away from this moment without giving it a try. He may say, “No,“
and that’s okay, but I’m not going to leave knowing I didn’t take the chance.
“Dylan?”
He whips around, eyes wide. “Yeah?”
“W-would…would you like—”“Yes!“
He slaps a hand over his mouth. His eyes are smiling, and his cheeks turn red. He slowly lowers his hand and asks, “Please tell me you were going to ask me out.”
All at once, the nerves and awkwardness I felt rush out of me, and a big belly laugh escapes my mouth. “Yes. Yes, I was.”
Dylan sighs in relief. “Phew! I was going to feel really dumb.”
A dark curl falls forward once more, and he tosses his head. It falls again.
I close the distance between us and brush it away from his face.
We’re close.
His eyes trail down to my lips, and mine to his.
Dylan’s tongue slides along the seam before biting his lower lip in a way that makes me fly away on a heart-shaped balloon.
Together, we inch closer. Our faces are merely an inch apart. His breath feels hot on my face. My pulse is like a jackhammer.
Then. It happens.
We kiss. It’s a sweet kiss, but it makes the fire that’s been simmering inside me since my hand landed on his thigh ignite.
My hand finds the back of his head, and I run my fingers through his beautiful hair.
We part, and I look into his eyes. “Let me get your number.”
“Yeah…“
he says in a daze.
We exchange numbers, and Dylan says, “I’m done at 11 tonight. I don’t know if that’s too late, but—”
“It’s not. How about we grab a drink? There’s a spot called Sky Lounge that is nice.”
“I like that bar,“
Dylan says.
“Perfect.”
His smile is radiant. Then, he approaches and kisses me again. This time with more passion. We savor each other—our tongues dancing as I wrap my arms around his waist.
For the first time since Todd left, the future doesn’t feel like a closed door.
He pulls back, his lips curled into a devilish smirk. “See you tonight, Peter.”
“I can’t wait.”
I help him into his car, and he drives to his shift.
You’ll have to buy me drinks another time. I have a date tonight.
Angela: I KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN. See? I think you’re the one who owes me drinks! ;)
I think you’re right. Thank you.
Angela: Love you!
Love you, too.
I look at my phone and see the picture of Todd and me on our honeymoon on my homescreen.
Time to replace this.
And I do.