Jamie's point of view
I needed to clear my mind, but the rainy weather and how I looked when I got back from the bookstore - all rushed and drenched - wasn't any help. Collin insisted to take me back to the inn, but I knew things would’ve been worse if I let him do that. So yes, I ran away. From him and from my feelings. When I got back home, only a hot shower could soothe me. I took off my soaked clothes and stood under the warmth of the streaming water. It had happened so fast, too fast for me to react. The situation had me overwhelmed ever since the day I met that bartender. This friendly, empathetic, sensitive, yet mysterious bartender; this reserved yet expressive man, not only through words but also through actions; that bartender who dared to express his feelings despite his pride, doubts, and ethics; that bartender who kissed me and who I kissed back with glint of hesitation. And the very same bartender who was giving me headache. Closing or opening my eyes made no difference: that moment terrifying yet magical couldn't stop replaying in my mind repeatedly over and over again, sending chills down my spine each time. Honestly speaking, sparks had always been nothing but a myth to me until Collin proved me otherwise by pressing his lips to mine. And from that instant, I lost myself in his sweetness and tact.
I had consented to his touch and his delight. I’ve responded tenderly to his kiss at first, but as Collin's hands cradled my face I felt his desire for more and just like him, I felt this urgent need to deepen our interaction. Gradually, our kiss intensified, we were both locked in a warm place we're nothing with no one but ourselves to interrupt us. Collin pulled me closer, pinning me between the bookshelf and his eager body until we felt the need to gasp for breath as we both unwillingly retreated from each other.
In our mutual intimacy, Collin kept his forehead pressed against mine, his hands still enveloping my face. It was as if he was trying to calm down, to regain control of the situation and to avoid making any mistakes. We exchanged silence, savouring this delightful yet uncertain moment and I could almost swear our heart was beating as one.
"Why did we do that..." I could finally whisper.
Collin kept his silence. His jaw clenched as he fought the urge to kiss me again, fearing he would lose control. So instead he simply stuck for a physical contact and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
"We shouldn’t have..."
"Jamie..."
"This could be infatuation…”
"Jamie..." he tried once more to stop me, no matter what my words meant - doubt or fear.
"Love is a fleeting feeling, Collin..."
"Then be the best fleeting thing that could ever happen to me."
These words. His words couldn't stop resonating in my mind. Not only his statement meant everything I had always wanted - true love - but also what I feared the most - attachment.
***
I had gotten to know my close circle, which included Janice. The coffee shop had become my reading sanctuary since I got here. Sitting at my usual table by the window, I was lost in a book I recently picked up, the gentle afternoon sunlight warming my face as I focused on the pages. I was completely absorbed in the story, lost in the background music from my earphones.
“Hey.” Janice plopped down across from me. “You seem to be making good progress.”
“Yeah, I’m halfway through right now.”
“What are you reading? The World According to Garp by John Irving.” she read from the cover. “I love his writing style. He really feels ahead of his time with his syntax and word choice.”
“Yeah, I noticed that. It’s a great book.” I agreed.
“So good that you didn’t even notice how late it is.”
I was surprised by the time as much as by my own distraction. There were hardly any customers left and the few who remained were about to leave.
“Oh I’m really sorry. I completely lost track of time.”
“No worries. We still have time to clean up.”
“I’ll help out.”
“I was just joking around.”
“I know Janice, but I want to help.” I stood up and grabbed the towel draped over her shoulder. “Okay, so where do we start?”
Janice smiled and together we tidied up while sharing funny stories about our misadventures. I really liked her because of her personality and smartness. Talking with her felt like chatting with an old lady in a young woman’s body. As she often said “There’s no correlation between mental age and chronological age.” and I was living proof of that. She also was a rational woman, always standing firm in her choices. It was a principle she’d always held and. I saw in her a loyal friend and it was a quality everyone appreciated.
“I’m really going to miss you, you know? When you leave. Can’t you really stay just a little longer? Maybe another week?”
“It’s been two weeks already since I got here.”
“I know, I’m pushing it.” Janice laughed. “We got to do something before you go.”
“We are, aren't we?” I teased.
“Cleaning? Not exactly the best memory to take home.”
“You’re right. Just being here in Chaston is already a great memory.”
“But not enough.” she said. “How about dinner at my place?”
“Janice I really appreciate it, but I don’t want to impose. We don’t have to do anything big. We can just grab a drink and chat.”
“Okay, if that makes you happy, let’s meet at the inn’s bar instead.”
“Sounds good. That’s less pressure than dinner at your place.”
“Collin will appreciate it too.”
That name kept coming back to me, haunting my thoughts and causing sleepless nights. I recalled that brief, intimate moment we shared, and it sent shivers down my spine.
What have you done to me, Collin?
***
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See You Again
ChickLitIt's an excerpt from Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables". He says: "The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have loo...
