Page 80 of Choose Us
A kiss was never just a kiss. If I was asked to describe our kiss, I would say it was simple. It was a million moments, a million thoughts, a million wants, dreams and desires all coming to fruition. It was two years’ worth of memories crashing together to create a few seconds of bliss.
It was a lightbulb moment.
In one big “ah-ha” everything fell into place, and life suddenlymade sense.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A week later I strolled into my living room. It looked the same as it always did: neutral tones, the blinds drawn, and the TV playing reruns ofThe Simpsons. The only new addition in recent months was the trolley table that housed a selection of wines.
My first intention was to have it for show. I’d seen something similar in a house magazine at work. It was a subscription Ashleigh signed up for but couldn’t figure out how to cancel, so the magazine ended up mixed in with my mail.
The trolley table held a bottle of red, a half bottle of white, two glasses, and a small bowl of peanuts. The sight was similar to a few weeks prior, but if it were a game of spot the difference, the second picture revealed two glasses instead of the usual one. I was no longer drinking alone.
The situation felt surreal. I took a moment to take it all in. I looked at Brooke in her little grey pyjama set with her sun-kissed arms and legs sprawled across my sofa. Her hair was messy, tied up in a bun atop her head with a giant grey scrunchy that matched her outfit. Her hair fell across her neck and shoulders in certain places; it almost looked posed, but I knew it wasn’t.
Brooke’s beauty came from her effortless approach to everything in life. She managed to pay no attention to her appearance but look like she had. I didn’t understand how that was possible. Itbaffled me.
She threw her head back and a fit of laughter filled the air. It was a response to something funny Bart Simpson said, but I wasn’t paying attention to the TV. My eyes were fixated on her: the dimples in her cheeks, the crinkles on her nose, the infectious smile I had longed to be aroundfor so long.
She reached for the wine glass and took a small sip and then another. I didn’t avert my gaze; she was my daydream I didn’t want disturbed.
“What are you staring at you idiot?”She laughed.
“You.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“Stop it.” Brookesaid shyly.
The intensity didn’t revert to normal right away. My eyes focused vividly on her. Stray thoughts were roaming around my head. I felt disconnected for a moment and allowed myself to process what was in front of me. I picked out the thought that screamed louder than the rest.
“Movein with me?”
The words escaped my mouthtoo quickly.
Silence.
I watched Brooke’s hand drop from her face in slow motion.Well done. Now you’ve scared her away.
“What?”
She placed her wine glass on the table and pulled her knees to her chest. She manoeuvred her body into a poised and upright position. There was no choice but to commit.
“Movein with me?”
“Seriously?” Brooke asked.
“Yes. Why not?”
She patted the seat to her right, and I moved inbeside her.
“That’s a big decision to make. Are you sure?” she questioned, reaching for the sleeve of my T-shirt and twiddling the hem betweenher fingers.
“Would you say yes?”
She nodded. No hesitation. My heartrate eased.
“Well, you’ve been here with me for the past week. I’ve loved coming home to you. I’ve loved making tea with you. I’ve loved watching TV with you. I’ve loved... y’know... doing other things with you.” I smirked.
