Invisible String #3
“True, plus two different middle and high schools. I ended up switching to city schools after elementary because we moved,” Allie said as she scooted closer to me.
“Yeah, and I stayed in county schools, so that would be why we didn’t see each other later on.” Closing the yearbook and placing it on the table, her mom handed me another photo album that I began to flip through.
It got close to nine, and Allie announced we probably needed to go ahead and go, so she could let Dolly out. Her mom and sister walked us to the door, arms full of leftovers, both hugging us goodbye, and we walked down to her car. Once in and buckled, she leaned across and kissed me.
“I had a really good time tonight, Spencer. Thank you for coming with me. My family adores you already, I can tell.”
“I’m glad I came. They both seem like good people, and I can see how much they love you. Your mom is also hilarious, too.” I shook my head and laughed as I put the car in drive and headed home.
“Oh, she’s something, alright.” Allie folded her arms, pouting slightly.
“How does she know what Netflix and chill is? You know she meant that as a dirty joke, and then she said I was the one who made it that way? Then to follow up, she had to pull out old photo albums of when I was a baby, and ones of me with that awful short haircut too?” She scrunched her nose in frustration, and it was the cutest damned thing.
“It was totally meant to be dirty, but it was pretty funny. Also, the hair wasn’t that bad… Lord Farquad.” I tried, and failed, from busting out laughing, and put my arm up to block the swats she threw my way. “Okay, okay, okay, you win, I’m sorry!”
“You’re so going to regret that. Mark my words.” She wagged a finger at me and had her best menacing face on. She looked like a pissed-off bunny, but it was so cute I played along.
“I believe it. I’m gonna have to sleep with one eye open.”
“You’re such a jackass.” Her beautiful laugh rang out, filling the car. “I can’t wait to be home. I'm so tired, I want to crawl into bed and read.” She leaned her head over onto my shoulders, wrapping her arms around mine on the console, that sweet coconut scent filling my nostrils.
“I’m pretty worn out too. I feel like we’ve had a long week, but I’ve had the best time spending our nights together when we can, and then our dates too.”
“Me too! It’s what I’ve looked forward to the most, just that quality time together.” She nuzzled into my arm more and let out a contented sigh. “Did you want to stay tonight, or did you need to go home?”
“I don’t think I have any extra clothes with me, and I don’t have my work stuff either. I probably should head home, but maybe tomorrow you and Dolly could come over and stay?”
“That sounds perfect.”
We pulled into her driveway and parked the car in the garage, making sure it closed before I followed her inside.
I gathered my stuff and threw it in my bag, hating that I was leaving.
Allie leaned against the island with her arms crossed, waiting for me as I walked back in, a small furrow between her brows.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” I asked, walking up and placing my hands on her hips and leaning in to kiss her.
“I know I’m being dramatic, but I’m kinda upset you have to go.
I mean, I know you need to, you need clean clothes and a proper workspace, but I don’t know.
These are new feelings for me, and I’m not sure how to navigate them.
” She let the confession flow and looked into my eyes, searching for confirmation that she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
“Believe me, this is new for me too. I don’t want to go either, but we want to have a healthy foundation for this to work. The whole ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’ thing.” This earned me a laugh, and she lay her head on my chest. “Tomorrow will be here before you know it, I promise.”
“Yeah… yeah, you’re right. Here, let me walk you to the door so I can lock it.”
I headed to the couch to pet Dolly goodbye, and then to the door, where I pulled Allie into a hug, rocking her gently. “I love y-ed all of our time together today. It’s been some of my favorite days.”
Good save, genius.
I pinched her chin between my fingers, tilting her head up so I could kiss her again.
Every kiss felt like our first one all over again.
Full of energy, and like my entire body was being shocked.
This was something I hoped never went away because it made me feel alive.
The kiss finally broke, her chest heaving as she steadied her breathing.
“I love all our time together too.” She looked at me with this knowing smile, like I wasn’t as smooth in my cover-up as I thought, but she let me have this win.
I kissed her once more on her forehead and then again on her nose, before reluctantly heading to my car.
Besides, I knew the chair and bookshelf I ordered for her would be delivered tomorrow, and I wanted to get them set up before she came over.
I was hoping she loved the surprise, and that I wasn’t presumptuous in ordering this for her.