Page 44 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

I wasn’t about to correct her again. She liked calling it my place. So be it.

“Okay. I’ll see you at seven. Have a good night, Raya,” I said.

She leaned over and kissed me. “I hope you can sleep soundly now.”

Not anymore. All I want to do is kiss you all night.

I loved how comfortable she was initiating a kiss. Now if we could do this in a place where we didn’t need to put on the brakes, it would be better. Or maybe we’d end up regretting it. We are going at a pace that she is setting. When she’s ready, I’m sure she’ll let me know. And I can’t wait. “Thanks to you, I will.”

“Goodnight, Orion.”

She got out and rushed through the lobby doors leaving me to watch. I was glad. There were three words on the tip of my tongue that I wasn’t ready to say. I had to be careful they didn’t slip out on their own.

It’s too soon. I don’t want to scare her away.

The truth was it scared me too.

CHAPTER 14

Raya

I sat there waiting for his reaction as he took a bite. Somehow, I expected him to grin, or moan when he ate it. Nope. His face said he hated it.

“How can you not like it? It’s a perfect combo like peanut butter and chocolate,” I said.

“Another thing that I don’t enjoy.”

My mouth dropped open. “Well now I see that you’re not perfect. Because anyone who doesn't like a peanut butter cup is...”

“Hey, you’re judging me on candy preferences?” he asked, stunned.

“Well, I guess we could come to some sort of agreement. What kind of chocolate do you like?” I asked.

“Dark chocolate.”

“Milk chocolate for me. Ok, how about candy in general? And please don’t tell me you don’t like it,” I pleaded.

“I like candy.”

“Thank God,” I said, dramatically. “What kind?”

“When I was in college, I had an addiction. I couldn’t study without a bag of Swedish fish. You know the red chewy fish-shaped candy?” I nodded and he continued, “My roommate got me hooked.”

“What broke your addiction?” I asked, teasingly.

“The dentist. I had never had a cavity before that. But two years into college and two cavities later. I decided that no matter how much I liked them, I loved my teeth more. Haven’t had one since,” he said.

“Wow. That’s willpower. Very impressive. Not sure I could do the same thing with a peanut butter cup. Thankfully, I haven’t had to try. But you have redeemed yourself.”

He grinned. “So, I’m perfect again?”

I laughed. “The jury is still out, but it is looking good for you. Just don’t tell me now that you really don’t like pizza.”

“Oh, no. I eat it at least once a week,” he said. “And on occasion, I’ve eaten the leftovers for breakfast.”

“Verdict is in. You’re perfect,” I smiled before taking another bit of my sandwich. But when I did, I made a face. This didn’t taste right, and I spit it out into my napkin.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

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