One Touch | Charlie Gillespie

T W E N T Y - F O U R

We both just need to cool off. Well, mainly her.

I want to stay here forever.

At this moment, it's just us. Our lips connecting and our arms holding each other close. I feel hands trail from my waist all the way to my face, and the cold material of his ring pressing into my skin as he gently rubs his fingers over my cheek.

I melt into the kiss, although a part of me wants to push him away. I'm still mad at him for humiliating me in front of my colleagues. And besides, I asked him to talk for a reason, not for... this. The fact that he could have a serious obsession with me still haunts me in the back of my mind.

But I'd be lying if I say I don't like his way of quieting me. The softness of his lips is irresistible, and he really is a good kisser. If he hadn't had this history with Sarah, I'd never let him go. But alas, he has. At least, that's what I've been told. Realizing that again, I slowly break the kiss and press my hand slightly to his chest to push him away. He confusingly steps a small step back, but he's still facing me as his hands slide back to rest on my waist.

"What's wrong?" he mutters, his gaze flickering to my lips. I notice and grab his chin, forcing him to look me into my eyes. All I want is for him to be honest with me.

"Listen," I say softly, still holding his chin between my thumb and index finger. My other hand is resting onto his chest, so I can feel the pounding of his heartbeat. "I need you to answer this frankly, all right?"

He slowly nods, and I let go of his chin. He's probably already aware of what I'm going to ask, but he doesn't seem shocked or panicked at the thought of me knowing who he was only a few years ago. Instead, he acts very calm and normal.

A group of people walking and chatting on the street in front of our building pass us, so I wait until they're out of sight. Then I take a deep breath before asking, "Charlie, do you have this obsession with me just like you had with Sarah?"

He seems hurt when the words escape my mouth. He looks at the ground, but then his eyes shoot back at me. "No," he simply says. I expect to feel a wave of relief, or the feeling that I have in my stomach since Leah told me to fade away. But I feel exactly the same.

That's why I don't respond. I don't respond because suddenly I'm not so sure if I can believe him. I'm not sure if I can trust him. And after all, it isn't the first time he has lied to me. He should have told me about his extraordinary feelings for Sarah right when I caught him playing with her necklace. Sure, I can imagine he's embarrassed and I know we've only just met, but hearing it from someone else is not how I wanted to find out.

"I stopped myself from getting obsessive over you, that's why I called it off," he explains, realizing he won't get an answer out of me. "I'm not that guy anymore, June."

Suddenly, I feel the words pop up in my mind again. As I feel the tears pricking in my eyes, willing to escape, I take another breath. "I don't believe you. I can't."

He furrows his brows and his hands let go of my waist. "You don't believe me? Why?"

"Why do you think, huh?" I snap, and I feel the blood raise to my head. Knowing how short-tempered I am, I try to calm myself down. But it happens again— I can't stop myself, no matter how hard I try. "You're the reason your ex-girlfriend is dead and I had to hear it from Leah! That's really not normal, Charlie."