Page 94 of When We Are Complete

Chapter 55

Kelly

Adeleand I scroll through the endless list of movie options while we wait for the food, laughing and groaning as we veto one choice after another.

“No, not that one—too cheesy,” she says, wrinkling her nose.

Then, the door swings open, and there he is, brushing off snow and stamping his boots on the mat, looking tired but smiling in that soft way. I’m suddenly fifteen again, my stomach fluttering the way it did back on our first date, heart flipping over at just the sight of him.

“Hey, Dad!” Adele says, and he’s already leaning down, pulling her in for a quick squeeze and ruffling her hair. She bats him away, laughing.

Then his gaze finds mine, his whole face lighting up as he walks closer. Pure, unadulterated happiness spreads through me, gratitude filling every corner of my heart as he leans down to kiss me. He’s trying to pour every unspoken word into that single touch.

“Hey, beautiful,” he murmurs, his breath against my cheek, his eyes drinking me in. His hand finds mine. It’s the most natural thing in the world, a simple gesture, but it sends a little thrill through me.

“Hey,” I whisper back, squeezing his hand. One, twice.

He settles beside me on the couch, our hands still intertwined, and we all laugh as Adele finds another movie to reject. “What, is this going to be a movie marathon of rejects?” Jake teases, nudging her, and she rolls her eyes.

We finally settle on a film—the fourthHarry Pottermovie—and I lean into him, his arm wrapping around my shoulders, holding me close, letting myself just be, soaking in the little joys of this moment with the people who mean so much to me.

The food arrives, and we eat and watch the movie with our shoulders pressing together. He kisses the side of my head, and takes my hand, his thumb brushing small circles over my knuckles.

By the time the movie ends, Adele is nodding off on the other side of the couch. She gives us a sleepy wave as she slips to her bedroom. The house is quiet now, just the two of us and Tiger snoozing in front of the heater. Jake turns to me, his eyes lingering on mine.

I lean into him, not wanting to go. “I have an early start tomorrow, so I better head home.”

“I know,” he says, his voice low, “are we gonna kiss goodnight, or...?”

“You’ve got to earn that kiss, you know.”

He laughs, leaning closer, his fingers brushing my cheek, then cradling the back of my neck. The warmth of his breath mingles with mine, and in the next second, our lips meet, and the world melts away. The kiss is deep, unhurried, and the taste of his lips sends a jolt straight to my core. I let out a soft moan.

His hands move from my face to my waist, pulling me closer, fingers tracing the curve of my hip, teasing the sensitive skin there, and heat radiates off him. I run my hands over his chest, the hard planes of his muscles. Tomorrow night when we’re alone, I want to explore every inch of his body with my fingers and tongue.

We reluctantly pull apart, and he walks me to the door then steps outside with me, closing the door behind us. “I can’t wait till tomorrow night,” he whispers. And it’s impossible not to feel like teenagers again, desperate for one another, stealing moments where we can.

He kisses me more deeply, mouth slanting over mine, and his hands move up to cup my breasts. I gasp as he squeezes gently, and arch my back, pushing my chest into his hands, hoping none of the neighbors can see us making out on the front porch in the dark. He responds by kneading my flesh with his fingers, and my nipples harden beneath my shirt. I wish he could see them, touch them, taste them.

But for now, I’ll have to content myself with this: his hands on my body, his lips on mine, and the intoxicating desire building between us. We kiss until I’m breathless, my body buzzing with pleasure.

I whisper, “I wish I didn’t have to go. I want you so bad.”

He responds by capturing my lips in another searing kiss, one that leaves me weak in the knees. When we finally pull back, our foreheads resting against each other’s, I reach up and cup his cheek. “I never thought it would be this way again.”

His thumb strokes my cheek. “I didn’t either, but here we are. And I’m not letting go this time.”

My heart is full as he pulls me into one last, lingering kiss that sets fire to my core. As I walk home, a new feeling settles in—a comfort that holds steady even in the winter chill. I take adetour down a familiar street, and soon my old house comes into view, nestled under a blanket of snow.

I stand across the street and memories flood back, but they don’t carry the sharpness they once did. Now, they’re warm embers. The porch light glows softly, and in my mind, I picture Mom inside, working at the kitchen table, waiting to hear all about my night.

“Hey, Mom,” I say quietly. “I just wanted you to know things didn’t go perfectly. Definitely not the way I planned. But I’m okay. Actually, I’m better than okay. I’m happy.”

The words are strange on my lips, but they’re true. A smile spreads across my face as I stare at the old house. “I think I’m finally doing it, Mom. I’m finally living in a way that’s good. And I hope you’d be proud. I just miss you so much.”

The wind picks up slightly, rustling the branches, and I close my eyes, imagining her there, giving me that quiet nod, the one that always said everything I needed to hear.

Chapter 56

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