Page 4 of Safer Together
~ Chapter Two ~
Angela
I am relieved to arrive home after the day I’ve just had. Lugging boxes from room to room, lifting them onto counters, unpacking items, then moving furniture around. But I’m happy to say that Liam and Jess’s new home looks in good shape for only just being occupied.
The next few days will no doubt be spent hanging pictures onto walls, deciding what crockery goes where in their plentiful kitchen and of course making it homey. Unpacking photographs and placing them around, pulling out the cushions and throw rugs to help decorate the furnishings, these small things bring a certain warmth to a home. A real lived-in feeling.
Speaking of which, my home could do with a couple of new cushions, a new rug, too, for the living area. I’ve been making do with a cheap one which is far too small for the area. If I’m going to tell Elliot I have money, why not spend a little of it?
My cell starts to ring, pulling it out of my pocket I see Elliot’s beautiful face light up my screen, as though by magic, he knew I was thinking of him. I feel the smile spread across my face as I accept the call
“Hello, hello. I was just thinking about you.”
His voice makes me melt when it comes through the phone. “Hey, baby. What a coincidence, I was thinking about you, too.”
I laugh, like a schoolgirl, too high pitch. I cut it off almost immediately, not wanting to embarrass myself.
“Were you now? Possibly about the fact that we get to see each other in five more days?” I wrap my forefinger around a loose strand of hair, twisting it around.
“I know baby, not much longer now. I’ve got an afternoon flight. I’ll get to your place around 4:30 pm, allowing us plenty of time to get to your Christmas party”
Just hearing him say he is coming is amazing. Knowing that in only a few more days I can wrap my arms around him makes my day. “I can’t wait, Elliot”
“Me too, baby, me too. So tell me about your day.” I answer his question, leaving out the conversation I had with Liam, I don’t need him to know that I’m aware he has been talking about me to his friends. He then tells me about his day, spent with his sister Beth and her family. The kids couldn’t stop talking about Santa and the presents they hope to receive.
“Anyway, I want to ask you something. Please don’t take it the wrong way.”
I find that my heart is beginning to race, “okay, shoot”. I’m met with silence for about twenty seconds.
“I was wondering what you are wearing?”
I feel a lump forming in my throat and look down at my very non-sexy jeans and orange jumper. Do I lie? Tell him I’m wearing something nicer? He did tell me not to take it the wrong way though. “Umm, dark blue jeans and an orange sweatshirt, why?” More silence. Feeling brave, I continue “What are you wearing?”
A throaty groan sounds in my ear. “Beige jeans, red polo top and a white jacket, nothing too exciting. Do me a favor and send me a photo of you in your jeans and orange sweatshirt?”
I giggle, the only response I can think of. “Sure, nothing says sexy like jeans and a sweatshirt, now does it?”
“Angie. You always look sexy to me.” My breath catches in my throat. His words call to my inner self. The fire that has been kept alight by embers wants so badly to roar up into flames, and he does this to me over the phone.
“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll send you a photo if you send me one too?” Before two seconds have passed, I hear his reply.
“Oh baby, that’s a deal. Talk to you later. Don’t keep me waiting for that photo, my beautiful girl.” I hear two beeps signaling Elliot has ended the conversation.
Running into the bathroom, I let my hair out of the messy bun and brush it, apply a quick coat of mascara to my lashes, pinch my cheeks for color and run my lip gloss wand over my lips. I wander out to the bed and sit on the edge, lifting the phone up slightly higher than straight on. I try out several angles before settling on one that gives a soft light across my face. I smile at the camera and take two photos; I then take another of me blowing a kiss.
Selecting the best of the two smiling photographs, I send it through. I then follow it up with the other, hoping he finds it cute and not over the top. I keep the phone in hand waiting for Elliot’s reply. A few minutes later it pops up on screen. I click on the photo to enlarge it, sitting on one of his two large white lounge chairs. Elliot is smiling back at me, his hair slightly messy, just the way I like it, his arm resting along the back of the chair. It makes my heart ache just looking at him. My phone sounds and vibrates indicating another message has come through. I exit the photo and see a second from Elliot. Upon opening it I see his arm has moved out in front of his chest, clenched as though he is holding something close to his heart. He caught my kiss.
I jump off the bed and start to do my very own version of a happy dance. Jigging from side to side while staring at my incredibly handsome boyfriend’s photo. How did I get so lucky? Five more days Angela. Only five more days.
My happy dance is interrupted by a knock at the front door. I stop jumping and listen hard. Was it my front door? It was only one knock. I walk toward the door, one step at a time. Peering out the peephole, I see James standing there, an uncertain look on his face.
I step back. “Coming. Just give me a sec” I call out, why would he be here? It’s not that he hasn’t visited me at home before. We have had a couple of movie nights, but the last time we talked, he wasn’t impressed that I didn’t tell him about Elliot. I don’t want to hurt him, maybe I can just tell him the basics, with no specifics?
I reach out and turn the handle, opening the door fully, smiling brightly out at James. “Hey James. Come on in. I was just about to make a cuppa.”
He steps inside, I close the door behind him. “Hey Angie. Sorry for dropping by unannounced. A cuppa sounds good though. I was hoping we could talk”,
That confirms it, he came over here with a purpose, to talk. “Sure thing, you want a coffee or tea?” I enter the kitchen, filling the kettle with water from the faucet.
