Page 23 of Brighter Together

I gesture vaguely towards my own lips.

“What?” she asks confused.

“Something there.”

She wipes at her mouth but misses it completely.

“Other side,” I say.

She tries again.

Still misses.

I should just tell her to head to a mirror but instead, I step closer.

“Let me,” I say, my voice almost a whisper.

Her hand drops.

My thumb brushes the corner of her mouth.

Soft skin.

Warm.

Ella goes very still.

So do I.

The crumb comes away easily.

It looks like chocolate, which isn’t really surprising. She seems to survive on coffee and chocolate whenever I’m looking.

My hand should move. Instead, my thumb lingers against her skin for a second too long.

Maybe two.

Ella’s eyes lift to mine.

The noise from reception seems to disappear.

No phones.

No footsteps.

No guests.

Just her.

Her lips part slightly.

My pulse kicks harder.

I can see every tiny detail of her face from this close. The faint colour spreading across her cheeks. The little crease between her brows as though she’s trying to work out what I’m doing.

Which really is a fair question.

I have no fucking idea.