I've Loved You Ever Since

Part 15

"I should go." Stevie spoke up, disturbing the silence, in spite of enjoying Lindsey's fingers combing through her hair, splayed out across his lap.

"Or you could stay." Lindsey replied, she opened her eyes to look up at him. "I'll sleep on the couch."

"As tempting as it sounds..." Stevie shook her head slightly, already giving him an apologetic smile. "I don't think we should be having sleepovers. At least, not yet." She added.

"I understand." Lindsey said, they already had an eventful evening.

"Besides, if I stay, I have to get up earlier, go back to my place." She continued to explain herself. "I don't have any of my essentials with me or a change of clothes."

"Stevie, I get it." Lindsey assured with a small smile, he withdrew his fingers from her hair and draped his arm around her middle. "But before you go." He paused and cleared his throat, giving himself an extra few seconds. "What happens now? I've already told you, I'm not expecting anything from you, but like-" He shrugged, thinking of the best way to voice his thoughts. "Are we okay? Are you going to talk to me in the office tomorrow? Are you going to ignore me completely?"

Stevie shifted her gaze, she lowered her eyes. She reached for his hand and held it up as if examining it before she laced their fingers together, she tilted her chin up again. "I'm not gonna do that." She promised. "I had a great night with you. All the making out really helped." She smirked and he laughed lightly. "I don't know if I have the answer you are looking for right now, Lindsey." 

"I appreciate your honesty." Lindsey nodded, though, he wasn't able to completely mask his disappointment.

"Don't get me wrong." Stevie moved to sit up. "I'm not going to pretend that tonight never happened or forget all the things we've said to each other. But we've said a lot." She emphasized. "I just need-" She began, but trailed off with a weak shrug.

"Time."

"Yes." She agreed. "I need some time. There's Tom, too... I'd be lying if I said that the thought of us getting back together hasn't crossed my mind. I know, he feels the same. Just..." Again, she left it at that.

Lindsey exhaled heavily then managed to squeeze out a smile. "I understand that. There's only one thing I ask of you." Stevie's heartbeat picked up pace a little as she looked into his eyes, waiting, expecting just about anything. "Don't blindside me." Her eyebrows creased. "If you do decide to give your relationship with Tom another try, tell me. If it's him you want after all, just tell me. It would absolutely crush me, but I don't want to be played either."

Feeling as though he was already preparing himself for a terrible outcome, Stevie didn't think she needed to make matters even worse by promising him things that she still didn't know herself were true. "Okay." Was all she replied with.

It took another half an hour or so until Stevie was actually about to leave. She stood by the door and Lindsey was right in front of her. He just seemed so defeated as if he'd already lost her even though he'd never had her to begin with.

"I'll see you tomorrow." Stevie said, hoping that her smile appeared at least slightly reassuring.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow." Lindsey nodded, smiling back at her weakly.

Stevie didn't want to leave, but she couldn't stay either. Judging by their night together, she doubted that they'd be able not to cross any more lines. It was too soon, just too soon and she didn't want to ruin whatever that had begun between them. 

Lindsey wasn't pushing her out the door either. A tiny part of him hoped that she might change her mind. "So..."

Lindsey melted at her touch, his eyes closed briefly as she palmed his cheek. Stevie closed the small gap between them and stood on her tiptoes to press a sweet, but a short kiss to his lips. 

"Goodnight, Lindsey." Stevie said, glancing back over her shoulder at him as she turned to open the door and leave.