"The plot thickens.Alright, I'll let it play out but I'm curious.Really curious."
"You're more patient than I am."
"That's common knowledge.I remember how you got scolded when you found and opened your birthday presents two days before the party.Your mums were so disappointed."
A laugh bubbled up from her."I was ten and I tried my hardest.Did you know I actually found those a day before I opened them?Yeah.I managed to wait a whole day before I caved."
"Do you want praise for that?"I teased, patting my hands together for the world's quietest applause.
"I can be patient though.Like, I'm being patient right now."
"Oh?What are you waiting for?"
Her mouth lifted up into a cheeky grin."For you to kiss me."
Heat instantly sparked up in my stomach and I could tell from Faye's face that she was mostly teasing me.If she thought I wasn't going to act on it, she was in for a surprise though because I wasn't going to let this opportunity slip me by.I moved around the counter, somewhat amused that we were kissing in the antique shop again.
I saw the beginning of Faye's smirk before I pressed my lips on her and felt the curve of her mouth and the softness of her lips.She smelled like peach and jasmine today and it was intoxicating.Her lips were warm and pliable and she made the cutest sound when I pressed my tongue into her mouth, meeting it instantly with her own.
She pulled me closer, hands drawing up and down my back, until we were leaning against her counter.I lost focus of the movements and sank into the kiss, feeling her so close to me, I was sure I could feel her heart beat.Or maybe that was mine going in overdrive.
The clatter of the bead curtain behind us made me jump back, just in time before Faye's grandfather came into the shop.He was carrying a miniature plane and looked very happy about it, seeming totally unaware of what he just walked into.
"Look, look!Didn't this clean up nicely?"He held it up for us to see, his giddy expression the very same as when Faye was excited about something.
"Very nice, Mr Li," I said, glancing at Faye who had her hand pressed against her mouth and looked like she was trying to hold back her laughter.
Luckily, Mr Li was too lost in thought and disappeared into the storage room while muttering to himself.
A snort escaped me and it set Faye off.Our laughter blended together and I could feel it smooth away my worries.We were going to be great together.
"I should get back to the coffee house," I said, gesturing in the direction.
Faye nodded."Thank you for my pick-me-up.And the coffee."
She was so cheeky and charming, it was no wonder I fell for her.
I glanced at the storage room but Mr Li was nowhere to be seen.I took that opportunity to give Faye another peck on the lips, wishing I could linger but not wanting to risk it until our new relationship had solidified a bit more.
"Wait."Faye pulled me back before I could leave, kissing me again with so much intensity, it left my lips tingling and made my knees weak."One more for the road."
I was going to be thinking about that kiss for the rest of the day.
TEN
I gavethe drill a whirr before sitting down so I could attach the collar hook against the wooden side of the kitchen cabinet, making sure it was at cat height.I didn't look fully straight but I was confident it would be functional.
Gran's wheelie suitcase clattered through the hallway before it hit the tiles of the kitchen as she dragged it in behind her.Betty was perched on top of it, looking smug about her personal carriage.
"I think that's everything," Gran said, sunglasses already in her hair even though she wouldn't be seeing any sun until at least tomorrow noon.
Betty hopped off the suitcase and came over towards me, pushing herself into my lap."What are you doing?"
"I'm installing a collar hook for Balthazar," I said, hoping he would like it."Can you try it out for me?"
"Me?"Betty melted onto her back."But I'm tired."
"You've not done anything today," I said, poking the grey cat in the side."Come on, try to take your collar on and off, please."
