Page 22 of It Started with a Kiss
Tom laughed, reached across the table, and punched me lightly on the arm. ‘Fin, I think if you like someone and she makes you feel good then you’ve pretty much got your answer. When you’re spouting off crap about making connections with her, take it from me, it sounds like it has the potential tobesomething. You just need to call her, mate. Take the plunge. What have you got to lose?’
Heat rose in my cheeks. ‘That’s the problem, though. I don’t have her number.’
He raised his hands in the air in exasperation. ‘Awww, youidiot! How could you not get her number? Do you know where she lives? Where she works?’
I knew where she worked but I wasn’t sure if I could pluck up the courage to show up there. She would no doubt blow me off after the way I had treated her. ‘I don’t know where she lives but she works at McVey’s Coffee House in the city.’
‘Bingo! Just go and apologise. Ask her out on an official date. Sorted.’ He clapped imaginary dust off his hands.
Itdidsound simple, and no doubt to Tom, it was. But he hadn’t seen the look on her face as she had walked away from me. The hurt in her eyes in spite of her words. She had listened to my problems and given herself to me intimately, but I had acted like a total arse. Could a large enough portion of humble pie exist for one so bloody stupid?
Later on, when I arrived home to my empty apartment, a sense of melancholy descended over me once again, like a dark cloud unwilling to free me from its path. My phone rang and I eagerly answered it but instead of Star’s voice I heard Hetty’s. She had heard on the grapevine about my father’s actions and was heartbroken on my behalf. Hearing the woman who had been like a mother to me sobbing, because of my actual father firing me, hurt so much I could hardly speak. My eyes stung and a lump formed in my throat.
‘Hey, I’ll be fine Hetty, I promise. You brought me up to be strong remember? Please don’t worry.’
‘After all the years I’ve known how hard hearted that man is, I never thought I’d see the day when he let his pride rip him from his son. You don’t deserve this, my love, you really don’t. You deserve happiness. So much happiness.’ I told her about Star, hoping that knowing I had met someone might lighten her worry but all that did was make me feel worse. I was lying to her. After all, I had mucked it up and Star and I weren’t going anywhere.
Once the call was over the despondency I felt weighed me down even more. I had purposefully not told Hetty about losing my job because I knew how devastated she’d be. But hearing the pain in her voice had almost broken me.
I switched on my stereo and stuck in a Stone Sour CD and lay on my couch, thoughts whirring through my head of a pink-haired girl with the most beautiful brown eyes I had ever seen. If only I could go back and change how I’d reacted. It had all been so sudden and overwhelming. Having such strong feelings for a stranger wasn’t normal, surely?
But she had clearly felt it too.
The next thing I knew, I was standing outside the coffee shop in a torrential downpour, looking in through the steamed up glass, watching Star smile brightly and make small talk with the customers in the shop. I rubbed on the pane to defog a space so I could see her more clearly. God, she really was stunning. Quirky yes. But beautiful all the same. Suddenly, she lifted her gaze and locked eyes with me. My heart leapt and I tried to raise my hand in a wave, but a look of disdain washed over her features and she shook her head with a sneer, her feelings for me evident in her closed-off body language. I tried to call out but my voice became trapped in my throat, and suddenly it was difficult to breathe. It was like someone had stolen the air from my lungs and I grasped at the window, trying in vain to catch her attention. Trying to scream her name.
But... nothing.
I awoke with a start to the irony of Stone Sour’s ‘Through Glass’ playing in the background. Perhaps the lyrics had spoken to my conscience as I slept. I huffed and shook my head before rubbing my hands roughly over my sore eyes. The look on Star’s face as I peered at her in my dream wouldn’t leave my mind. How could I try to make amends now? I was pretty sure this was how she’d react. Perhaps the premonition had saved me from making an even bigger fool of myself?
12
Star
The following Saturday, after my ‘encounter’ with Mr McYummy—who, for the record, I renamed Mr McAssface—took far too long to arrive. I had the day off which was on the insistence of Alec, who said I was souring the milk thanks to my newly acquired perma-scowl. I appreciated the fact that I would get to sleep in. Although, as usual, I was wide awake at seven a.m. just like always.
When I gave up trying to get back to sleep, I went into the kitchen and found a note from Alec.
Good morning, Twinkle Toes,
I’ve gone for a wee jog before opening up the shop so I’ll see you tonight. Text me later and tell me what you want for dinner and I’ll grab something from the Chinese takeaway on my way back. I fancy something spicy but I’ll go out on the pull another night ??
Loves ya,
Al
I giggled and yawned simultaneously which made my ears pop. Try it. It’s not easy. You’re trying it, aren’t you? Anyway, I made myself a peppermint tea and sank into the welcoming comfort of the ragged old couch that had seen better days. I put my feet up and carefully sipped the steaming liquid. The knock on the door that came next made me jump and I almost scalded myself.Dumbass Alec no doubt forgot his keys... again.I seriously worried about how forgetful he was becoming.After wiping the bottom of the mug on my fluffy robe, I placed it on the coffee table while cussing him under my breath.
As I unlocked the door, I shouted at him through it. ‘I’m gonna get you one of those chains so you can keep the damn things around your neck.’ I yanked the door open and gasped.
A wide-eyed look of horror greeted me. ‘You’re going to make me wearwhaton a chain around my neck? Should I be scared?’ Fin stood there with a playfulness to his expression.
I fisted my hands on my hips, trying not to be amused. ‘What areyoudoing here?’
He cringed as his cheeks flared bright red and he held out a huge bouquet of the sweetest smelling flowers. ‘Well, I kind of made a rash decision to turn up on your doorstep in the hope that you’d forgive me. I was a complete arse. I know that now. And... I’d really like to take you out for breakfast. Like I should have after we... you know...after.’
I scowled and tilted my head as I defensively folded my arms over my chest. ‘After you slept with metwiceand then decided I wasn’t good enough for you?’
His brow creased. ‘Hey, I never said that. Nor did I think it. I’m not a snob, Star. I’m just an arse.’
