Aces & Spades

Kiss

Massimo:

Annalise helps me get into her miniature Fiat, before getting into her side. She gives me a sympathetic smile as she tries to start the car, only turning on after the third try.

"You should really scrap this." I say, looping my fingers onto the grab handle.

She lets out a small snort. "If only I had the money." She mutters.

I turn to look at her. "Aren't doctors supposed to be rich?"

"I'm a nurse with a lot of bills to pay Massimo. That's the difference between us."

She taps her fingers nervously on the steering wheel. I reach my other hand out, placing it on top of hers. Immediately, she stops moving, only turning to face me quickly.

"We aren't different, Annalise. You work harder than I do, that's for sure, but there are some things that are similar about us."

"Like what?"

"Our feelings towards each other."

I hear her let out a sharp breath, directing all of her attention to the road. I let my statement linger in the hot air between us. I watch the fallen mahogany strands of her hair dance in the wind. Her vividly ocean blue eyes fixated ahead. She seems familiar. The hair. The lips. Like the girl in my dreams. But there is still something missing. Something, I can't put my finger on.

There seems to be an empty feeling within me. Maybe it's a hallucination from the accident, but it feels real. As if something or someone is meant to fill it. But there is nothing there.

Maybe it's Annalise.

"Here we are." She proclaims, breaking my chain of thought. I stare at the apartment block. It looked as if one more door slamming shut, would cause it to avalanche into a pile of bricks. Annalise starts fidgeting with her sleeve.

"I-It's better inside you know." She says.

"I know."

I give her a small smile and she smiles back, helping me out of the car. I wince as I knock my head against the car door frame, stumbling backwards. Annalise lets out a small laugh before re attempting to get me out.

"A tiny car and a man around 6'5 is not a good fit." She laughs.

I narrow my eyes at her, watching her continue to laugh until I grab her waist, pulling her body towards mine. Her laughter cuts off, being replaced with curiosity. Her pupils dilate as she stares up at me.

I reach my head down, my lips brushing against the space below her ear.

"Not so funny now is it?"

I hear her inhale deeply before I let go of her, slowly limping towards the door. I hear the click of her short heels catching up behind me. She unlocks the first door allowing me into the small lobby of the apartment. Only a stone staircase and a few chairs scattered about.

"I'm on the third floor." She says before takes my arm, placing it over her shoulder to help me up the stairs.

By the time we reached the third floor, I was choking for some air.

"I told you that you should stay another night in the hospital." She says.

"No." I reply. "This is better."

She gives a shy smile before unlocking the door.

She was right. It does look better on the inside.

A creme and white color scheme ran through the rooms. White marble, creme furniture, white walls. Everything was clean and organized like the hospital, but with a homely atmosphere.