Evermore - Cheradine

Chapter 35

Everything had gone more smoothly than I'd hoped. The owner of the house had been kind and welcoming, her warmth clearly easing some of Cheryl's nerves. It had made all the difference. I was grateful we'd crossed that first hurdle, but I knew we weren't out of the woods yet.

I ran my fingers lightly along Cheryl's arms, watching her closely. Her face had softened, the tension still there but less sharp. "How about we just... walk for a bit?" I suggested, keeping my tone light. "Get familiar with the place."

Cheryl's eyes wandered around the room, taking in the elegant décor. "Not a bad idea," she mused. "This place is massive... loads to see." She paused, frowning slightly. "But aren't we supposed to be mingling?"

I shook my head, chuckling. "Yeah, eventually," I teased. "We've got time. Let's get settled in first." My hands slid down her arms until I found her hands, our fingers naturally lacing together.

I thought it best to take in the space before diving into conversations. The last thing I wanted was for Cheryl to feel overwhelmed and retreat behind her walls. I wasn't ready to lose this version of her: open, soft, and present.

Cheryl smiled softly, her dimples just visible, a clear sign she was starting to relax. That was all I needed.

I leaned in closer, my voice barely a whisper. "Would you freak out if I kissed you right now?"

Cheryl's eyes locked onto mine, searching, with a glimmer of vulnerability beneath the surface. "Isn't that why we're here?" she said quietly. "To just... be ourselves without worrying?"

Her words hung in the air, and something shifted in me. In that moment, it became clear, Cheryl wanted this freedom just as much as I did, maybe even more. She hadn't been okay with hiding, she'd only been masking her real feelings behind that familiar defensiveness. I'd always thought I was the one pushing for openness, but now I could see it, she craved it too, she was just more afraid.

I squeezed her hand gently. "You're right, love," I murmured. "That's exactly why we're here."

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers in a soft, fleeting kiss. That familiar spark flared between us, leaving me wanting more. I pulled back just enough to hear her breath catch. Her vulnerability lingered, but I could feel her guard falling, bit by bit.

As much as I wanted to deepen the kiss, I held back. There were too many people around, and the last thing I wanted was to put on a show. Cheryl wasn't ready for that, and neither was I.

She licked her lips, her smile growing. "Funny," she murmured, her voice soft with affection. "We've been kissing for a while now, and I'm still not used to it."

A flutter stirred in my chest. "Neither am I," I admitted quietly.

Before I could lean in again, two women passed by, one rummaging in her handbag. A lipstick slipped from her hand, rolling across the path.

Cheryl bent down and picked it up. "You dropped this," she said, handing it over with a smile.

I stood behind her as the woman grinned. "Oh, thank you!" she said, taking the lipstick. "I'm always dropping things," she laughed. "I'm Brenda, and this is my girlfriend, Heidi."

Heidi smiled warmly and gave us a little wave. "Hi!"

"Nice to meet you both," Cheryl said, her voice steady, though a touch quieter than usual. She squeezed my hand, seeking reassurance. "I'm Cheryl, and this is Nadine, me girlfriend."

Her voice held a trace of breathlessness, as if testing the words for the first time. She leaned in a little closer. Her eyes flicked to mine, searching, maybe for confirmation, or a quiet reminder that this was okay.