Angel of Mine (Completed)

Chapter 3

I just had to kiss her.  Good one Lathan, you’re so stupid.  Now things will feel awkward. Crap.  I can’t help how I feel.  I am just so deeply in love with her.  I didn’t want to confess in this manner but she scared me for what just happened. 

“Is there something you are not telling me?” She asks.

Double crap.  What do I say to her? I so want to tell her how I feel but am afraid she might not accept.  I don’t know if I will be able to handle it. Oh what the heck.

 

“Cerise, I won’t say I’m sorry for kissing you because I have wanted to do that for a long time.  You are an amazing woman and what is there not to like.  Heck, I’m in love with you Cerise.  I’m wearing my heart in my sleeve because that is exactly how I feel about you. I’ve kept this from you for so long because I didn’t want this to get in the way of our friendship, but I can’t hide it anymore.  It kills me inside not being near you.  I’ve never thought of anybody else but you.  God, I shocked you didn’t I?”

Wow!  I mean wow!  Wasn’t that the most heartfelt confession ever? I thought.  Beaming I replied,

“I don’t know what to say Lath.  I mean, what is there not to like about you?  But I have to be really honest that I…I can’t go into any relationship right now.  All of this is just too much to take on and I don’t want to keep your hopes up.  Please try to understand that I just have so much on my plate just now.  But I would like to keep being friends with you.  Is that ok?”

His face fell and said “Of course, I understand.  I am willing to wait.  I can give you the time you need because I am not going anywhere.  You have me ~ always.”  A slow smile was creeping into his face as he kissed my forehead, lingering a bit.  “You’re getting cold.  If you are quite finished, maybe you can take a shower and we’ll go to Studebaker to see Analia.”  He said to me while rubbing my arms to warm me.  I nodded and was on my way to the door.  Looking over my shoulder I saw him run his fingers through his cropped hair and rubbing it briskly.  He looked so frustrated.  I bit back a smile.  What was that all about?

*****

For the past week, Lathan and I fell into a routine.  After that kiss, it didn’t feel awkward when I thought it was going to be.  Lathan is such a wonderful guy.  He gave me the space I needed, though I must admit that we have become closer.  I trust him completely that I am so sure that he would not hurt me. 

I have been constantly receiving the bouquet of roses everyday and it just brings a smile on my face.   The only difference is that this and every time, a note with a line in a poem or so would be written in fine cursive writing.  Just today, it read

           Every minute I spend with you is like being in heaven and looking into an

                                                               angel’s eyes.

But how can this person say that when I don’t even know that I have been spending time with him.  Analia and I narrowed down a list of guys who have been hitting on me in class.  My insides flipped a little hoping that it would be Lathan.  But a bouquet does not come cheap.  I’m not misjudging him but I know that his pay from working at school would be spent more wisely on his daily needs.  Yeah, he may not be supporting any family because he says he is the only son and his mom does not live in town.  His father and grandfather died when he was in his teens.  I stopped wracking my brain for answers and just simply appreciate the gesture.