Moonstruck at Midnight

Chapter 17 - Out

I WOKE UP FEELING like a demented, parched criminal. Even my hair looked crazy. The braid running over my head like a headband was still messily in place—a reflection of how things ended the night before.

It was eleven in the morning, and I couldn't recall a day in my life when I woke up so late. My screen was flooded with texts from Thomas, making my stomach churn.

The overwhelming guilt kept eating at my thoughts and entrails as I mulled the memory of the stolen kiss in my head over and over; the stolen kiss I reciprocated for a few seconds.

But I was drunk and confused, and William took me by surprise. It was best not to mention it to Thomas. I feared his reaction, and the important part of this unfortunate event was that I pulled away from William's unwelcome and conceited advances.

Thomas: Good Morning, gorgeous.
Thomas: We got silver.
Thomas: I'm finally done with the event.
Thomas: Call me when you wake up.
Thomas: Everything ok, babe?

I decided to call him instead of replying to his texts. He was probably worried about not being able to get a hold of me.

"Hey, babe! Congrats on the silver! ... I know. I'm sorry I slept in ... My neighbors invited me to their Midsummer party on the rooftop last night. The whole building was invited ... I'm sorry I— ... Hmm. At around eleven, I suppose ... I did ... Thomas, what's wrong? ... No, of course not, you know I love you, and I miss you ... I'll have someone pick you up at the airport ... Okay, text me your flight details ... See you tomorrow ... Okay, love you too ... Bye."

I felt Thomas's uneasiness about my attendance at the party without him, and I didn't blame him. He was a bit insecure, which was fine as long as he kept his jealousy in that sort of cute mode. I had been too excessively controlled, monitored, and observed all my life to have my boyfriend become my fourth bodyguard.

Last night was a mistake, first with me drinking more than I should've, and second with my inability to draw a clear boundary between William and me. But I'd learned from these mistakes. I loved Thomas, and I knew something like this wasn't going to happen ever again.

Somewhat nauseated, I grabbed the crushed flowers under my pillow and tossed them out. I hoped I had sucked all the good luck out of them. But I doubt it because I dreamed of William. Somehow, he managed to keep tormenting me in my sleep.

Without hesitation, I jumped into a cold shower, hoping it would cleanse my deep-seated guilt and William's stupid cologne out of my mind.

🌙

June 22, 2009

"I missed you!" I threw myself into Thomas's arms. He had just arrived from the airport looking exhausted but still so handsome as always. He gave me a quick peck on the lips and rolled his suitcase inside my apartment. "Are you moving in?" I joked.

"Don't tempt me." He grinned and dropped his things on the floor. "You always smell delicious. I missed that too," he whispered in my ear and kissed me.

I really missed him. When I was with Thomas, I thought of nothing and no one. He had that power over me to fully envelop me with his presence.

Thomas squatted and grabbed a change of clothes from his suitcase. "Let me take a quick shower, and I'll see you in a few minutes." Mimi left containers with food for me in the fridge. I heated some spaghetti and meatballs in a pan and transferred them to a service bowl, feeling like a certified chef.

"Ah! Smells delicious," Thomas said when he came out of my bedroom, running his fingers through his wet hair to dry it off. He wore nothing but grey sweatpants. No t-shirt. His body looked impressive. "Are you ... hungry?" I asked, setting the table. I met his gaze, hoping he'd be able to tell I wanted him.