midnight rain | mason mount

xii

AUTHOR POV.
APRIL 14, 2022. 

Tired from her long day, Charlotte quickly changed into her pyjamas and collapsed on her duvet. Her peace was disturbed by Phil however, who came into her room and said, "scooch," pointing to the bed. Charlotte pretended to be annoyed, but in reality, she was happy that she got to spend time with Phil. They only saw each other every so often, since they were both busy, and also lived in opposite sides of the country. 

"Things are getting serious pretty fast, then?" 

"I don't know if I would use the word serious. I'd say... Intense. Intense is a better word." 

"Aren't those two practically synonyms?" 

"Not really. I mean, I would associate serious with like meeting the family, getting married, etc. Whereas intense is more like we both know we like each other, we're seeing each other more often, and that kinda stuff." 

"How often do you see him?"

"I've gone to almost all of his matches at Stamford Bridge.. And we go on dinner or lunch dates about 3 times a week. And sometimes he takes me to the afterparties after the games, so.. Like four or five times a week?" 

"Jesus Christ, Lottie. You see him four to five times a week? The two of you are practically married!" 

"I know it's a little excessive. But what can I say? I really really like him, Phil." Charlotte smiled then added on, "so much that it scares me a little, actually."

"Why?" 

"I can't tell if I actually like him, or if this is classic me trying to find a boyfriend so that I don't have to handle being alone." 

"The way you talk about him, I think you genuinely like him." 

"I think so too. Especially with Mason, the emotional bond is there, you know? I genuinely like him as a person and want to get to know him more. I really just enjoy his company, and I feel like we're super compatible people. I just hope he feels the same way, though. I sometimes can't tell if we're just friends or if we're more than that." 

"I'm sure it's not like that. Mason doesn't have that many girl friends." Phil said. "Besides, if he wanted to be just friends, he wouldn't be making the time to see you five times a week." 

"I hope so. I guess the reason I'm saying that is well... Because..." 

"Because?" 

"You're not allowed to make fun of me when I ask you this." Lottie said, sitting up straight in the bed and turning her body so that she would be facing him. 

"I promise I won't." 

"You promise?" 

"Yes, I promise." 

"Well, we went on our first date more than a month ago, and we see each other really often. He's come over to my place, and I've gone over to his place as well." 

"Okay." 

"And you know, how people always say the third date means sex?" 

"Ah. I see where you're going with this." 

"Call me crazy, but I feel like sex is always in the back of a mind for a guy, you know? Not in a weird way, it just is." 

"Oh, it definitely is." 

"You just made it weird, Phil." Charlotte glared at him and hit him with her pillow. "Anyways, continuing on with what I was saying. I don't know, I just feel like it's weird that he hasn't made the first move yet. I mean, maybe he's trying to respect my boundaries? But we've been on dozens of dates so far and the fact that he isn't making any moves is making me question whether or not he likes me as a friend or as more than that."