"For your door," she explained, holding it out to me.
I took it, staring at the festive decoration with a mix of confusion and reluctance. "It's frilly," I said flatly.
"Don't scowl," she teased with a light laugh. "It's festive."
I looked at her, unable to hide my bemusement. "Frilly," I repeated, shaking my head slightly.
She huffed a sigh and glanced at the clock. "I should probably get going," she said reluctantly. "Don't want to overstay."
"You're not," I replied quickly, surprising even myself. My eyes darted away from her face. What was I doing? She should leave. She was right.
She gave me a long look, her eyes searching mine. "Christmas Eve's coming up," she said softly.
"Yeah."
"I'm hosting a dinner at the café," she continued. "For friends. I'd like you to come."
"Me?"
She nodded, her expression earnest. "You're my friend, aren't you?"
I glanced down at her lips, feeling an inexplicable pull towards her. In truth, I wanted to be more than her friend.
"Something like that," I murmured.
She sucked in a breath, hope flickering in her eyes. "So, you'll come?" she asked, almost holding her breath.
"I'll think about it," I said, trying to sound nonchalant but knowing it came out softer than intended.
She glanced into my eyes for a moment that felt like forever. "I guess that's all I can ask for," she said finally, offering me a small smile that held both understanding and something deeper.
I grunted in response, feeling words stick in my throat as I watched her gather her things.
Beth stood on the balls of her feet, her movements slow and deliberate. Her arms slid around my shoulders, her touch light but firm. I felt her warmth seep through my shirt, and for a moment, I was frozen.
Then, she kissed me.
It was a gentle kiss at first, soft and tentative. Her lips pressed against mine with a sweetness that took me by surprise. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears.
I closed my eyes, letting myself get lost in the moment. The world outside the kitchen seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us standing there. Her lips moved slowly against mine, and I found myself responding in kind.
My hands found their way to her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, growing more urgent yet still holding that same tenderness. There was a vulnerability in the way she kissed me, as if she was baring a part of herself she'd kept hidden.
Her fingers threaded through the hair at the nape of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I could taste the remnants of our breakfast on her lips—eggs and cheese mixed with something uniquely hers. The scent of her hair filled my senses, a mixture of coffee and something floral.
I kissed her back with a hunger I hadn't known I possessed. My hands roamed up her back, feeling the curve of her spine through the fabric of her shirt. She pressed herself closer to me, our bodies fitting together as if they'd always belonged that way.
Beth's breath hitched slightly as our lips parted for just a moment before finding each other again. There was a sweetness to it.
The kiss lingered, each second stretching out into eternity. Her touch was like fire and ice all at once, igniting something deep within me while also soothing an ache I hadn't realized was there.
Finally, we pulled away, both breathing heavily. Her eyes searched mine, looking for answers I wasn't sure I had but willing to find together.
In that moment, standing in the kitchen with Beth still wrapped around me, I felt something shift inside me—a crack.
Without warning, she smiled like the fucking sun, moving to the door without another word.
I was fucking ruined.
