I didn't know how to explain that to Faye without sounding pathetic so I just pushed it away.I didn't want to spend our entire first date talking about Aga and my failures.This was meant to be the start of us.
My hands moved up the metal chain until they bumped into Faye's.She tensed but didn't pull away which I took as a good sign.
"Agatha and the capital were my attempts to escape everything that madememe.But after coming back here, I've done a lot of soul-searching and I've discovered I actually like my life here a whole lot more than I used to.And I feel the most like myself when I'm with you."
Faye finally cracked a smile."Ah, so you've finally discovered how awesome you are?"
"I wouldn't go that far...but yes.I'm pretty awesome for having grown up here and having a friend like you."I poked the underside of her arm."I really, really like you.And I like how it feels when I'm with you."
"I really, really like you too."She dipped her head, her smile returning."Finger guns and all."
"You'rethe one who started it!"
Her laugh broke free and echoed through the night while it filled me with courage.I stood up from the swing, turning so I was face to face with Faye.Despite the nerves sparking in my stomach, I felt braver than ever when I leaned forward for another kiss.
For a moment, I feared she might pull away, feared that the shadow of the past was too big to get away from.
But then her fingers intertwined with mine and she melted into the kiss like she had last time, chasing my worries away until they were nothing but wisps.It gave me the reassurance I so needed that no matter what, Faye and I would be able to figure this out.
NINE
I pressedthe plastic lid on the takeaway cup, making sure it was definitely tightly closed before I slipped it into the cardboard tray.I added a slice of chocolate cake to the order, glad that it was a calm morning.
"I'm going to make a delivery," I said, hoping Gran wasn't going to ask a million follow-up questions.
She just gave me an amused smile from behind her spot at the counter."I'm guessing that means your date went well.Say hi to Faye for me."
"I didn't say it was for Faye," I muttered, wondering how she knew.
"My sweet grandchild, your face is an open book to me," Gran said, only glancing up from her tablet."Don't taketoolong."
I gave her an affectionate touch on the shoulder on my way past."I won't, thank you."
It was only a short walk to the antique shop but plenty of worries sparked in my mind despite it.Even if Faye and I ended our date on a sweet note, I couldn't shake my worries.I knew Agatha would be a hurdle for us but I didn't think Faye was so affected by it all.
What if she couldn't move past it?What if I couldn't reassure her?What if we returned to being just friends?Or worse, what if she decided she didn't want me in her life at all?
Just thinking about that was making my stomach churn.
I reached the antique shop just when someone was leaving and I hurried, catching the door they held open.The smell of dust and old things fluttered out and I stepped into it willingly.I liked this smell, it reminded me of Faye and my childhood.
"Hello?"I called out, pausing in my step when I spotted Faye with her wand out and multiple things floating in the air around her.That was expected.What I didn't expect was the orange cat sitting right next to her."Balthazar?What are you doing here?"
His ears flattened when he saw me and he stuck his tail up in the air, fluffing it up.He considered his answer for a moment but instead of explaining, he jumped towards the open window and made a run for it.
What was that about?
I watched him go, confused about his behaviour.I thought we'd gotten closer so why was he still keeping secrets from me?And why did it look like Faye was in on it?
I held the coffee up."Hi.Double espresso, chocolate cake."
Faye's smile lit up her face and she lowered all the floating items to the floor before reaching for the drink.She paused when she grabbed it and brushed her fingers up the back of my hand.It tingled in the best way and I wanted to reciprocate but her touch was already gone
"You're so sweet, thank you," she said, popping the lid off so she could blow on the coffee.
My gaze was drawn to her mouth and how she puckered her lips.They were a dark shade of pink, perhaps closer to maroon, and looked lovely and soft.They were nice lips and they looked even nicer now I knew how it felt to kiss them.
She took a careful sigh and hummed in delight.She really knew how to enjoy the small things in life, and it was perhaps one of her most attractive qualities."That's good.I needed a pick-me-up.Although seeing you is a pick-me-up too."
