by Ruby Kiss
That’s it, I have to talk to her one more time, I thought. Just once more, so I can say goodbye, or possibly beg her to come back. As soon as the thought formed in my mind, I started towards my bedroom. I dug through my small, cluttered closet and pulled out an old worn suitcase and propped it open on the bed. What do you pack for a trip to Canada to profess your love for a former student? I resolved not to overthink this, and tossed a random assortment of clothes from my drawers into the case.
I cast about for a moment before I remembered that my laptop was in my briefcase, abandoned at the front door. I closed the suitcase, clicking the locks shut and rushed back out. A last minute ticket was sure to be expensive, but I pushed that thought out of my head. I wasn’t going to talk myself out of this. I reached the front door and jumped halfway across the room when someone knocked on the other side.
“What the—?” I took a breath, wondering who would be knocking at my door. I was currently being mildly shunned by the other professors and staff at the school—none of them would come calling without asking first anyway. I realized I was staring at the door rather than opening it, and I grasped the knob with the hand not holding a suitcase and pulled.
“Hello Julian,” Mackenzie said, standing on the other side of the door in a very similar position to myself, holding a suitcase.
“Mackenzie?” All the things I had wanted to say to her over the past few weeks flooded my mind at once and instead I said nothing, just stared at her in wonder.
“I, uhm, I’m so sorry to just show up like this, and I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye. Mostly I’m sorry about everything but the last few weeks have been just horrible and Lauren told me you looked like hell and I know she’s been a bitch to you, but you have to forgive her—” So many words spilled out of her mouth at once, betraying just how nervous she was.
I dropped my suitcase and stepped towards her, sweeping her into my arms in one swift motion, accidentally knocking her own case to the ground. I pressed my lips to hers, cutting her off and pouring every ounce of reassurance I could into her.
Her arms wound around my neck and she returned my passion with her own in equal measure. We didn’t stop until we had to surface for oxygen, I leaned my forehead against hers, tears shone unshed on the edges of her lashes as she looked up at me. Fear and hope vying for space in her expression.
“I love you,” I said, deciding in the moment that that was the most important thing to say. The rest could wait.
“I love you too, are you sure you don’t hate me?” she asked, her voice trembling.
“I’m absolutely sure,” I replied and released her to bring her inside, picking her suitcase up off the floor as I did so.
“Ok,” she said, “cause I still owe you a dinner date.”
“That you do,” I replied smirking, “and I intend to collect on that. But not tonight.” I set her suitcase next to mine and took her hand, leading her through my apartment into my bedroom.
“I knew you were a smart man,” she said with a light laugh, the sound filled my heart with warmth as she followed.
END
About the Author
Ruby Kiss is the romance and erotica pen name for Nova Scotia author Emerald Baynton. When she’s not writing she can be found baking, reading, homeschooling her kids and trying out pretty much every craft under the sun. Follow her blog full of book release updates, and a lot of pictures of food.
Also by Ruby Kiss
You can read about Lauren’s Halloween adventures with the big bad wolf in my short story, Devour Me.
Devour Me
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083BDV96R/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=devour+me+ruby+kiss&qid=1577814005&sr=8-1
Lauren’s roommate Emma has found her the perfect match during the Halloween night dorm party. The phrase “the better to eat you with.” is about to get a whole new meaning.