Forbidden Fruit (gxg)

Part 34

As I closed the passenger side door to Kori's car, she gave me a long look from the driver's side.

"You look...stunning," she finally said.

"Thank you," I looked at Kori, "This was my first time getting done up in months."

Kori looked back at me, and I couldn't quite read her expression.

"What are you thinking?" I asked her.

"That it's really nice having you in my car again," Kori said, and then let out a deep breath. She started to pull away from the club. The song "Nice & Slow" by Usher was playing softly from car speakers, "Among other things."

The air in the car felt heavy between us, as there was a slight unspoken tension and when Kori glanced at me again, I sensed longing in her eyes.

"Being here with you feels right," I said to Kori.

She gave me a small nod, and then asked, "What made you call me from the club?"

I sighed, "A woman asked me to dance, and all I could do was think of you. The only thing I've been able to do is think about you."

The corner of Kori's mouth tugged upward into a small smile and she said, "With how you look, I'm not surprised someone asked you to dance. You said no, I presume?"

"I told her that I was in a relationship. Even though I know technically...I'm not. But that doesn't mean you've been the only thing on my mind."

"I was surprised to see you calling me. I know I said that I couldn't talk to you to protect myself. But there's no way I wasn't going to answer you. Which I'm sure you know."

"I mean, I hoped you would answer."

Kori looked at me earnestly and said, "I'd always answer you."

Even though Kori was saying that to me, I could sense that she was guarded at the same time. I was the one that had initiated everything that happened between us these past weeks. I was the one that thought being alone would be better for myself.

"Being alone wasn't the answer," I managed to say to Kori.

"I know it wasn't. You just had to realize it."

"I didn't want to burden you," I said softly.

Kori inhaled sharply, and her eyes flicked from the road, and then back to me.

"You were never a burden. Did I do something to make you feel that way?"

"No!" I exclaimed, "You never did. It was just how I felt. That you shouldn't have had to deal with me being how I was."

"And how are you feeling now?"

"A little bit better. I started medication to help me...and I've had three therapy sessions so far."

It felt weird, telling Kori that after the fact.

She should've known in real time.

"I wish you would've let me be there for you as you decided to do that, Ashley."

"I wish I had as well. It was after you said we couldn't speak anymore. I wanted to tell you."

"It was a constant battle internally for myself, wondering if I did the right thing by telling you we couldn't speak. While I had to protect myself, I was extremely concerned about you."

"I understand why you did it, Kori."

We were silent for a moment, the only sound from the soft R&B music that was playing.