Page 32 of Keeping it Local

“Not really, anyway,” she said. “We broke up back in the winter, but when he found out I was moving here for the summer, he made a big point about wanting to figure something out when I got back in the fall.”

“And what do you want?” I met her eyes, and she held them.

“I don’t know exactly. It’s almost like the universe keeps pushing us together because of proximity, but something doesn’t fit. He’s the only man I’d been with though.” She clenched her hands together, and I could tell she was nervous talking about it. “Other than you.”

My chest swelled. “So, what do you think is going to happen? Between you and Michael that is. Not that it’s any of my business…” I trailed off.

She put her hand on my knee. “Not sure. I need to give it some thought. It’s just that the longer I’m here, the more I’m realizing I missed out on what could have been. I feel guilty for wanting more though. More than what I have. More than Michael. And sure, I want to help my parents. I have all these big plans for when I go back, but the more I think about it, something feels off. I just have to figure things out.” Unshed tears welled in her eyes.

“Hey, look at me.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “You’re doing the best you can. You gave up your late teens and your twenties to try to do right by your family. There is nothing to feel guilty about. Even your mom encouraged you to move here for the summer because she recognizes it. You need to take care of you.”

She bobbed her head.

“You are an amazing woman who put her family before herself when they needed her, and you do it graciously and with an infectious joy most of the time. But even if you didn’t, it’s okay to want things for yourself.”

“Thank you… I needed to hear that.”

“I’m not blowing smoke either. I meant every word.” Sensing her nerves, I leaned over to her, running my hand over her side and pulling her closer to me.

She tilted her head back, and then I leaned into her, giving a loud raspberry just under her chin before kissing her all over her neck.

At that, she started giggling to the point that she couldn’t stop and eventually had a slap-happy laugh that had us both ending up on the floor.

I held her for a minute, enjoying the sensation of her being in my arms.

“What was that?” She lightly smacked me on the shoulder.

I chuckled. “Not really sure. Just thought it might go over well?” I pulled my head back, looking at her in her face and seeing the crinkles along her eyes as she smiled at me.

“Maybe it did. Thanks, I guess.” She paused. “But now I have to wipe your spit off my face.” She jokingly ran her hand across her neck.

“Oh, you like it.” And I took my tongue, running it across her pulse, kissing her when I got there and pulling her even deeper into my arms.

She squealed under me, pushing herself against me, and I felt myself getting hard against her leg.

“I’d say we’ve done enough work for tonight.” I looked at her and pushed the hair back behind her ears before pulling her into my lap.

And then, everything went black.

“Power’s out,” I muttered, unnecessarily.

There was still a little bit of light coming in from outside, but it was dark enough that I could only see her shadow in front of me.

“Shit. What happened?” I could feel her tense up in my arms.

“Give me a minute. I’ll check.” I stood up, walking to the front door and looking down the street before attempting to reset the breaker. “Looks like a brownout. It’s not a storm or anything. Might just have to wait it out.”

“I wonder if we have power at home.” She grabbed her phone, probably texting Megan.

I walked back over to her, leaning down and grabbing one of her hands. “May as well make the most of it.”

She screamed the slightest squeal as I threw her over my shoulder and carried her back to my bedroom.

“Where are you taking me?” She smacked my butt as I walked her into the room, flipping on the light switch, forgetting that the power was out.

“Like I said, making the most of it!” With one quick movement, I threw her down on the bed and held my body over hers.

“I see that.” She giggled.