Ashby walks to the couch and sits next to me. “I’d hate to think what could have happened if Adrian wasn’t there.”
“Yeah, I know, Dad.” I sigh as I rest my head on his shoulder. He doesn’t correct me on calling him Dad. I need him to just be my dad right now.
“So have you and Adrian been spending a lot of time together since then?” Raven asks.
“He was here a lot last week, but we haven’t seen much of each other this week. He’s not contracted with DROP anymore, so we won’t be seeing each other at work. I still want to spend time with him.”
She sighs. “He’s a good boy, November, always has been.” Raven and Ashby share a look over my shoulder. They’re being less colorful than usual.
“Guys, what’s going on? You’re being weird...normal.”
Raven’s eyes mist over.
“Seriously, Mom, what is it?” I sit forward.
“I feel like some of this is my fault. I encouraged you ...”
“You encouraged me to listen to my gut. I did. I really feel like I loved Bo, but it was more of a firework than anything else. It was hot, heavy, and just too fast. I learned a lot about myself. It’s OK, promise.” I gulp when I realize that I now completely believe the things I’m saying about the end of our relationship. Maybe I’m right after all, it was just a fling.
“OK, Honey. You seem like you’re doing fine. I just want to make sure you’re not bottling it all up.” Ashby knows my bottling tendencies.
“I really am OK. Where are you guys off to now?” I hope a change of topic brightens the heavy mood.
“Well,” my dad’s tone abides, “we’ll be in town through the weekend, but then we’re heading out to San Diego. Six wants to hit the studio again.”
“Are you fucking serious?” I half-laugh at the thought of my parents and their friends in the studio once again.
“Watch your mouth,” my mom teases, “and, yes, we’re serious. We’re all at a point in our lives when our kids are out of the house, and we have experienced a lot more life than the last time we recorded.”
“Well, if you’re going to be here tomorrow do you want to come to Finnegan’s and hear me sing?”
My parents smile and hug me simultaneously. “We’d love to! Now, we’ll get going so you can have some quiet time with Adrian. See you tomorrow, hun. Oh, Ember!” Raven interrupts her own exit. “Yoga tomorrow morning on the beach, just me and you.” She smiles.
“Was that a question or an invitation?” I lean against the doorframe.
“Neither, see you then.” She kisses my cheek and turns away.
Raven and Ashby walk hand-in-hand away from the apartment. I hear them say good-bye to Adrian, who is walking up the stairs. Suddenly my heart is racing, and I feel warm all over. I could use a yoga session right about now. When Adrian enters my apartment, he seems to study the look on my face—I’m sure I’m as red as I can be.
“Did they leave on my account?” he asks as he crosses the threshold.
“Sort of,” I barely let out. My throat is suddenly scratchy. I take a step back and dig my hands into my back pockets.
Adrian’s espresso-colored eyes steam into mine as he blindly closes the door behind him. I’m sure the lights are dimming; the charge between us is audible. Fireflies of memories illuminate my living room. Each flicker begs, “Go.” My heart gallops me forward as a heavy sigh takes the reins. Almost on command, he meets me halfway. Lightning’s been striking around us for weeks, and until now I’ve been running for cover. I can’t deny his pull any longer. Our mouths collide, his tongue tentatively tasting my lips before I open my mouth and let him all the way in.
“My God,” he whispers as he pulls back for a brief second. His hand glides up the back of my neck and tightens through my hair as we resume our kiss.
Five years burns like wildfire between us as my hands run along his sharp jaw line and hold his face in place. This feels so good I don’t want it to end. Our tongues dance, reacquainting themselves after their foolish separation.
“Mmm,” is all I can manage as his hand finds the skin on my lower back.
We’re all hands and tongues in the entryway of my apartment. I gently lower my heels to the floor, and Adrian bows toward me in response. My hands snake around his neck and my hand locks around my other wrist. I’m not letting him go. Adrian strokes his hands over my back pockets and nudges me up on my tiptoes once again. I pour all I have—all my gratitude, all my loneliness, all my longing—into this kiss.
He was there for me. He stood stoic and let me fight my own battle with Bo—he didn’t try to dash in and save the day. He was there for the aftermath, sure, but he knows I’m no damsel. Adrian gets me. Just as our breathing turns to primal moans, he pulls away and rests his forehead on mine, placing his shaky hands on my shoulders.