Only Yours

0.2

Tamina

"Thank you." I clear my throat, trying my best to act like a normal twenty-two-year-old and not some unsocialised hermit. "Are you going to be warm enough in that?"

Grateful he lets me have the façade, I watch as he inclines his head and clips his shades to the collar of his hoodie. "I'll be fine, don't worry about me."

Shifting from one foot to the other, I take my seat once more and use the scenery as a way to escape. The water may be a soft, murky green, but it manages to enhance the sparkles glittering along the surface under the sun. When the clouds start to ambush the rays, the water deepens in tone, rippling from the oncoming breeze. Seeing the predictability of the ripples brings a sense of calm to my own uneasiness.

"I am really sorry," I blurt, rubbing my wrist for reassurance. "I'm unbelievably clumsy."

Brandon shakes his head, and I don't miss the subtle exhale. His hand settles on my thigh, as if today isn't our first time officially meeting up, and not by accident. As if he's known me for a long time. My leg tenses under his touch on instinct.

"Don't apologise, there's nothing to be sorry for. Accidents happen," he assures, and in a matter of seconds, the words put me at ease, and my muscles relax.

Removing his hand, he reaches under the hood to scratch his nape, causing the bag to rustle as it slips down his wrist.

"I know it is a bit late to ask, but do you have a boyfriend?"

Air catches in my throat, and blood shoots straight to my face as my heart thunders erratically. My brain buffers as it tries to conjure up the reason he's asking such a question. Before I can panic, Gabriel's words flutter through my mind, and I clutch my drink harder.

If he genuinely is interested, I'll have to draw a line.

I truly hope it's not because he's found a sudden interest because I'm enjoying my time with him—as humiliating as it is. I don't want to assume, but why else would you ask that question?

Steadying my breath, I force the words out of my mouth. "If you don't mind me asking, why?"

His eyes search mine, and it takes everything in me not to look away. The inquisition fades away and leaves a neutral expression behind. "Because I doubt your boyfriend would like you spending time with another man. I would like to refrain from causing any trouble."

Mortified would be a good place to start. But it dies down with the fresh whoosh of relief. Rather than saying it's not a problem anymore, I say, "Thank you, and no, I don't have one—a boyfriend, I mean."

Now it's his turn. "Why?"

My limbs tense up at the question. Yet again, it's innocent, but the memories the answer brings sting.

"I'm sorry." I drop my line of sight to my hands. "I don't want to talk—"

He doesn't say anything but collects my free hand in his. His hold is gentle like before, and everything that could be said falls away. The longer we remain in this little stare-off, the more I'm on the brink of stumbling over the edge. Not even my parents know the full extent of what happened, and lying to them about it sucked.

"You can talk to me, Tamina."

With those words, my lip rolls between my teeth, knowing tears will flood if I continue having eye contact with him. However, the slight caress of his thumb has me flicking my focus up, to the point where I find a tuft of his hair poking out from under the rim of his hood. But it's the warm smile that gets me.