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“And even if you are, is it so bad?” For instance, I’m glad she caught my attention, I think it’s the best thing that has happened to me in years. “I think she’s just jealous.”

She chuckles at that, then pouts as if feeling bad for laughing.

“But it also depends on what you were doing, were you out with a stranger at night. Alone?” I press and she chuckles once again. The sound throws me off, and I cling to it harder.

Fuck, she’s ethereal.

The corner of her eyes crinkles every time she laughs; the sound itself is so heavenly, I’m left wondering if I ended up in heaven.

Or perhaps hell, because even though she’s laughing, there’s this unreadable, almost dead look in her eyes that doesn’t go away.

But I want it gone.

“I wasn’t.” She shrugs. “It doesn’t matter.” She tells me and pulls her hands away from mine.

I mourn the loss instantly, losing the warmth, the feel of her soft skin on mine.

“I don’t even know what I’m doing here, I should go back.”

Fuck, I hated the idea of her leaving. I’d take distance over her absence any day.

“Or you could stay.” Assuming it was too bold of me, I add. “F-for a while.” And now I’m stammering.

Fucking great.

Could I be anymore pathetic?

“What’s worth staying here?” She asks me, her eyes glinting with mischief and I shake my head in disbelief.

“I tell good stories.”

“That your best offer?”

“Depends…are you planning on staying long enough to hear one?”

“I’m too old for bedtime stories.”

“Could’ve fooled me, solnyshko.”

“Don’t—what does that even mean?”

“You tell me.”

“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew.”

“Then stay.”

“What does that word mean?”

“I’ll tell you if you choose to stay.”

“Well, I am here, aren’t I?” She huffs lightly, her face scrunching into an adorable little frown.

I look away pressing my lips together but it’s futile, my shoulders betray me first.

And I realise, I’m laughing too.

Because of her.