Always

28| Ice Cream

I haven't been able to stop thinking about the kiss since it happened. Nearly an hour has passed and it's the only thought my brain can fathom.

We've been sitting in an empty parking lot next to Chippy's Fro-Yo Parlor eating ice cream talking against the loud patter of the rain like the kiss never even happened.

I'm kind of glad that he hasn't brought it up because I know I'll get all flustered but I can't help but wonder if he felt what I did. It feels weird to say because it's Greyson and the only sure thing I've ever felt for him was resentment, but new feelings were sprouting and I don't want to get hurt.

"Your turn, ask me something."

We're playing a question game that I'm trying to focus on but failing miserably because my mind's still stuck on that goddamned kiss. We've been playing a while so I made myself comfortable and turned my body to face his which gives me a perfect view of his pretty face with the lips that I can't get out of my head.

"What's one thing that you want to do before you die?"

"Ooo, that's a good one."

There are so many answers to this question. My first thought is that I want to finally be happy. I don't mean happily married with kids and a home with a little cute dog. I want to be happy with where I am in life and who I am as person. So happy with my state of mind after achieving inner peace that life actually feels like it's worth living.

But I know if I actually said that he'd probably admit me into a mental hospital, so I don't. I stare at the empty ice cream cup in front of me thinking of my next best answer.

"I want to open a dance studio," I state finally.

"You do?"

"Yeah, I do. I want to provide a safe space for kids to come in and express themselves like dancing did for me."

"That's really beautiful," he grins. "I can't wait to see it one day." I don't know why, but his smile makes my stomach do a little flippy thing.

"Me too," I say giving him shy smile. I quickly clear my throat and remember that we're playing a game and it's my turn.

"What's your favorite ice cream?"

I know what you're thinking, 'it's obviously the flavor he's eating now' but I'm sure it's not. We came in way after midnight so our options were limited and he chose strawberry.

No sane person's favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry, so his favorite was probably unavailable and I want to know what it is.

"Mint chocolate chip."

See? Wait what?

"What? Mint chocolate shit over cookies and cream!? Are you mad?"

"A little, but it's the best hands down."

"Mint chocolate chip is never going to be better than cookies and cream, ever. There's nothing you could say or do to convince me other wise."

"But it is," he laughs.

"I'm sorry have you ever tried cookies and cream?"

"No, but now I want to."

"I ate all of mine but we can get you some when the rain holds up."

"Chippy's will be closed by then," he says.

"Then, then we'll-"

"-Can I kiss you?"

Hold up. "What?"

"Can I kiss you?" he asks slower this time. My cheeks start to burn up and my mind starts to turn into goop.

"W-Where did that come from?"

"You want me to taste your favorite ice cream yeah? I can if I kiss you. So may I?"

Okay, but like HOT.

I don't think I've ever in my life wanted something so badly. My body's been aching for his touch the second I came out of his grasp and his lips were on my mind every minute since. It makes no sense denying it because I do. I want him to kiss me.

Looking directly into the forestry of his eyes, I nod slowly. He pulls my chin between his thumb and index fingers before kissing me softly just as he did before. Almost immediately the taste of strawberry ice cream melts into my mouth and I sigh softly into what I've been craving.

Him.

A/N:
Continuing in the next chapter.
And OMG 6K??? Thank you guys so so much. I love you all <3.

Happy Pride Month 🏳️‍🌈.