It was as if our lips were made for each others. They fit perfectly on mine and it was almost impossible to pull away.
They were as soft and gentle as her and I didn't expect anything less.
It was like a first kiss from a dream you have that you never forget. The warmth of it wrapped itself around me, lingering long after her lips had parted from mine Though short lived, the passion and intensity lingered still even after she pulled away. I heard footsteps getting closer to the kitchen door and before I could think she shoved me away.
"What's taking so long in here we're starving in here." My dad popped head into the kitchen to see what was taking us so long. I acted busy putting another pie onto the small white plates and Summer just followed behind my dad back into the dining room. Once they both left I released a heavy sigh and rubbed my face.
Why did I do that?
If she didn't hate me before she'll definitely hate me now. This is what she probably was afraid of, why she didn't let me get close to her. I couldn't lie and say I hated it or it was a mistake but I know I could put her career in jeopardy. It was a selfish move but I didn't regret it, at all.
I carried a silver tray into the dinning room holding the pie she made for everyone.
"About time! Where did Mr. Gwen go?"
"I let him go home for the night." My dad's face visibly switched to annoyance but he hid it well since we had guests. Frankie patted on the seat next to her signaling for me to sit back down. I took a quick glance at Summer and she was looking down focused on her plate. I scratched my neck awkwardly and sat down after a couple seconds.
"This pie is amazing Ms. Evans." My dad spoke with his mouth full. Our conversation was interrupted with the sound of loud thunder and lightning rumbling over the house. A pattern of raindrops fell on the roof echoing the empty dining area we were in. The storm started picking up more than anticipated causing the trees to sway in place.
"Thank you, it's an old family recipe." She smiled humbly while playing with her fork, breaking the pie into pieces.
"Where is your family located?" He asked.
"Mostly in Portland, but I have some down here as well."
"What about your parents?" He continued.
"They aren't around anymore...It's just me." A small frown washed over her face but disappeared quickly leaving no one to notice it but me. I'd probably been staring at her the entire time but I didn't care. I was trying to gauge her reaction to see if I made her uncomfortable with our interaction. She didn't give anything away, she was good at keeping composure and pretending things were okay when they weren't.
After dinner I took the opportunity to collect the plates from the table to put them into the sink. I just wanted an excuse to talk to Summer alone. I found her in the kitchen putting the leftover pie into the fridge. "Hey, are you alright?"
"Yes." She spoke sternly. It was weird to hear her with a cold tone that contrasted her usual sweet melodic voice.
"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." That was all I could think to say. I couldn't lie and say it was a mistake or a regret so an apology was the only thing left.
"It's okay. In a way, I feel like this is my fault." She almost whispered. Her tough exterior was starting to crack and a hint of emotion flashed across her eyes. I took a step closer trying not to get too close to allow her some space.
"How is this your fault? I shouldn't have done that, it was my fault."
"We've been too close. Even me being here is wrong, we can't be friends Thomas. Why can't you just accept that and let me do my job?"
"I can't just leave you alone."
"Why not?" She pleaded with her eyes. I couldn't answer because I didn't know why I felt the desire to figure her out. The kitchen door creaked open once again but this time it was Frankies head that popped in. She peeped in before allowing her entire body to enter the room. She immediately slid the rest of herself into the room positioning herself next to me.
"We're going to your dad's cinema room." She stated.
"I'll be there in a second." I tried to slide away but her grip on my arm was tight.
"I should get going, it's quite late." Summer spoke while she adjusted her shirt.
"Well it was nice meeting you again." Frankie raised her hand for a handshake.
"Wait, you're leaving already?" I didn't even try to hide the disappointment in my voice.
"Yes, it's late and I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow. I'll go say goodbye to your dad and Glenda."
She left the kitchen without another look at me. I realized how majorly I fucked up just then and didn't even give Frankie my attention, I just followed behind Summer.
I caught up with her after a minute and caught her talking to my dad in front of the door to his movie room. As I approached them he was shaking his head no.
"Surely you can wait a couple hours, it's very bad out right now. There's a tornado warning on the TV." He sounded concerned.
"I'm sure I'll be just fine, I don't live too far from here."
"Are you sure Ms. Evans? Why don't you wait until after the movie. It's an old film my father used to play for me I wanted to show everyone." He persisted. One thing I admit my dad was good at was persuading people into doing things he wanted. Even if he had to manipulate them, he'd always get what he wanted. Which is how he got me to even go to his cocktail party, through Frankie. Now he was trying to make her feel bad for leaving by giving her a bullshit sob story about the movie he wanted us to watch. I knew he was lying, he hated his dad and would never talk to him let alone watch a movie with him. Usually, I'd be upset at him using his manipulation tactics on Summer but tonight I really wanted it to work because I needed a chance to make things right.
"Umm..." She rubbed her arms uncomfortably before slowly giving in by taking her jacket off. "Alright, you've convinced me, but after this movie I really should go"
"Of course." He grinned from ear to ear at his success of getting what he wanted yet again.
We all sat on separate couches, reclining our seats to prepare to watch the movie. I waited till Summer sat down so that I could find a seat next to her but as soon as I did, Frankie took the seat next to me leaving me inbetween the both of them. An old movie started playing on the projected screen and soon everyone was distracted. I looked over at Frankie to make sure she was focused on the movie before turning to Summer.
"I'm sorry." I whispered pathetically knowing that's all I could think to say. She didn't budge. I knew she heard me because she reacted subtly to my words by softening her face but she pretended to ignore me and fixed her eyes on the screen. I looked around one last time to make sure I was safe to continue. "It isn't your fault, it's my fault. I read into everything too much and I took things too far. I know you're just being kind because that's who you are. I'm taking accountability for what I've done, I'm sorry for being selfish."
She finally looked over at me but didn't say anything, instead she just held her eyes on mine for what felt like a century. She finally takes a deep breath and looks away from me whipping her phone out. She types something on her keyboard and a few short seconds later I feel my pocket vibrate. I slide my phone from out of my pocket and saw she sent me a text.
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"Let's talk another time."
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