Midnight Heat - Josh Kiszka

Chapter 5

After the song ended, Grace hopped up. She knew what had happened. She knew that Annie wasn't ready.

"What did I do?" Josh asked, placing his hand on Grace's shoulder.

"Nothing. She's just-mourning." Grace explained. "This bonfire is in remembrance of her boyfriend, who died four years ago today in a crash. She said she was ready to move on, but obviously she isn't." Grace looked at Josh.

"I'm gonna go fix it." Josh said, heading toward the house.

Josh knocked on the door, not knowing that Annie had intentionally left the doors unlocked for people to use the restroom.

Annie opened the door to see Josh. He looked remorseful. Annie took a deep breath.

"Annie-I-" Josh started

Annie took his face in her hands and pulled him into a kiss. He was warm. His lips were soft. She immediately regretted her decision and let go, shutting the door behind her and sinking onto the ground.

"I'm sorry." She yelled.

"Annie. Can I please come in?" Josh asked.

Annie stood up. Josh saw through the frosted glass that she had moved and gently opened the door. "I'm sorry Annie. I didn't mean to-"

"I literally just kissed you without your permission and you're apologizing?" Annie asked, confused.

"I didn't mind that. I'm worried that I hurt you. I didn't realize that-"

"I'm trying." Annie interrupted, walking into the living room, "I'm trying to open up and be a new person. It's miserable being alone." She sat cross-legged on the mid-century modern couch she loved so much. "I crave emotional intimacy. When you and I were-" she paused "I felt vulnerable. Then I started thinking about my soul. Was it meant to have someone other than Sam? Do I even deserve to lock eyes with a devastatingly attractive man with a voice of molten gold?"

"Is that a love-sac?" Josh asked.

Annie laughed. "Yeah. It hasn't seen much love though. It's never been sat in."

"Can I PLEASE" Josh asked.

"Go ahead. As long as you accept my apology?" Annie suggested.

"There's no need for an apology from you. I'm the one who needs to apologize." Josh said, lifting his arms out and face planting into the oversized bean bag chair. He turned his head to the right and looked at Annie. "I probably should have refrained from flirting with you."

"HA!" Annie laughed. "Save the pity. I don't need it. I get enough of it in this town."

"I'm serious. I think you're pretty. Just a bit awkward." Josh admitted.

Annie blinked. "Is this my chance?"

"Huh?" Josh said, rolling over.

"I talk to myself." Annie laughed.

"Chance for what?" He asked.

"Well, I have been single now for four years. I want to get back out there. I planned on meeting someone tonight. Just didn't think it would be a famous rock star who I make a move on after I run away from him crying."

"I'm not that famous." Josh said.

"I love that you ignore the big points." Annie said, laughing.

"I'm not ignoring them." Josh laughed.

"Then what are you doing?" Annie asked.

"Can we start over?" Josh said. "I feel like I didn't impress you earlier and now I've messed up my shot with you."

Annie made a funny face. "Your shot with me?"

Josh smiled. "I'm not a shy person, in the least. But when that fine ass girl walked on that bus today, I was speechless." He threw his hands behind his head, resting on his interlocked fingers. "I thought it was me that made things weird. Obviously you feel the opposite."

The room was silent for a second. Annie stood up.

"Hi. I'm Annie. Nice to meet you" she said, offering her hand.

Josh rose from the bean bag. "Hi Annie. My names Josh, and I assure you, the pleasure is all mine."