Into the Starry Night

Twenty-Two - Part Two

To say that things were awkward after Harry had inadvertently interrupted our makeout session would be the biggest understatement of the century.

As we began to practice the song — after much bickering and a lot of back and forths Harry put his foot down and decided that he was going to serenade his bride with Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez much to my chagrin — I became hyper-aware of every movement Daniel made beside me. I could feel the heat every time his eyes landed on me which was more often than I would've liked and a strange tingle every time our skins touched.

I was beyond relieved when my phone sounded out reminding me that I had to get to Timini's place.

The relief was the only thing I allowed myself to focus on as I packed up my things, muttered goodbye to Harry, and bolted so fast out of the hotel that I was sure that I set a new world record.

Once I was safely in my car, I hit my forehead multiple times, mostly because I was frustrated at what I had done but mainly it was an attempt to maybe give myself a concussion or some form of brain damage so I could forget this night entirely.

But it was all futile because I could still remember every little detail. I could still remember the feel of his hair on my fingers, could still feel the comforting warmth the moment our lips touched.

In retrospect, it was a spectacularly dumb idea to kiss him. I couldn't believe I had ever thought otherwise.

“He's back in my life for five minutes and already he's wrecking it all over again,” I mumbled to no one as I clicked my seatbelt on and started the engine.

After a deep, calming breath I started the drive to Timini's place.

It wasn't until Timini's electric gates were swinging close behind me that the full reality of the situation I was in finally hit me.

I had kissed another person while I had a boyfriend and I spent the entire drive to said boyfriend's house thinking about kissing that person.

Once again the fact that this dinner was a really bad idea enveloped me and I wanted nothing more than to turn around, run far away, and attempt to sort myself and my thoughts out, but it was already too late.

With dread eating away at me like an ulcer, I grabbed my handbag and the bottle of wine that I had stopped to get as a gift for Timini before stepping out of the car.

Timini's apartment was a fairly large white stucco duplex. From the outside, it looked very homey and inspired comfort with its carefully groomed shrubbery and perfumed flowers but due to the turbulence in my soul it didn't have that effect on me.

I walked up the stairs and just as I was about to press the doorbell the door opened and Timini appeared.

“Let me just say that when you told me you were going to cook I was frankly a little bit worried but I am wildly impressed that your house isn't a pile of ashes right now.”

Timini's face broke into a charming smile.

Taking him in I could see that he was serious about celebrating. He was in a black dress shirt and dark slacks. The top buttons on the shirt were open showing off his toned chest and gold chains.

His contacts were an intriguing shade of hazel that complimented his skin tone and fade.

“Gosh,” I said as I noticed his attire. “Now I feel severely underdressed. I'm sorry, I should've changed into something more serious.”

I gestured to the pink dress with the sheer chiffon sleeves and bow at the waist that I wore with pink Louboutins. I draped a black trench coat over the outfit.