She kissed the scars on his skin.

Chapter 22

It's late afternoon before we get back to Lauren's place. We go inside her apartment and she collapses on the sofa, the stress of the last few days catching up with her.
"Do you want me to go?" I ask. She looks up at me and shakes her head. I'm glad as I didn't want to go but I didn't want her to think I'm intruding either. I sit next to her and pull her into my lap, my arms wrapping around her. I'm sure she's lost more weight since the concert but I don't say anything. I do know I'm hungry though.
"Do you want me to get some takeaway?" I ask. She nods. I discovered she does love Chinese food so I get my phone before realising they don't deliver until much later. I'll have to go for it. Lauren nods when I tell her so I kiss her and head off.
I phoned ahead so hopefully I won't have to wait too long when I get there.
I collect our order and head back to Lauren's place. I pull up and as I approach the door I hear a voice belting out The Only Exception. Lauren? It can't be. She's way too quiet. I don't want to interrupt as if it is her, her voice is captivating me. But who else could it be? She sounds - well, words can't describe it. I stand there, mesmerised by her singing. There's no music, just this voice. She reaches the end of the song and I give it a minute before I knock on the door.
"You're food, ma'am" I say in a joking way. She smiles tiredly and I follow her back inside. We eat straight out of the cartons while watching some cheesy film on the TV. Lauren eats the whole of her portion which surprises me but I say nothing, enough concern in me to know not to. I take the empty containers and throw them away before going back through to where Lauren is on the sofa. I sit back down next to her, drawing her into my arms. She snuggles into my chest and looks up at me. I can't resist her. My lips are on hers and she kisses me back, harder than I expected. We embrace for a few minutes before I feel the need to ask her something.
"Lauren, I feel this relationship is going somewhere special. Be my girlfriend?"