Accidental Housemate

33: fixing

perhaps we were never meant
to find each other.
perhaps that is why
finding you felt so much like fate.

FIXING

. . .

I looked myself in the mirror, trying to emphasise the features I loved most about myself with makeup.

I put in the effort to burrow Courtney’s tools and wrap my hair in waves. I wanted to look the prettiest I had seen myself in a while, for my confidence and for Dave who deserved to see me at my best.

An eyeliner for wider eyes, some blush for fuller cheeks, and some highlighter on the tip of my nose. The last touch was a flaring red lipstick. I hadn’t worn those in a while. I intended to replace the unpleasant memories red lipstick brought with good ones. I put on my coat and took my purse, ready to be picked up.

Dave arrived on time, as always. He got off and extended his hand my way, gesturing me to take it. I looked into his brown eyes and slowly put my hand in his, instantly feeling the temperature difference. While I was a little cold and anxious, he was warm and welcoming. He rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb and greeted me with a kiss on the cheek. My eyes closed, my heart fluttered, and a smile took over my lips.

“Perrie.” He hugged me briefly, but then he tightened and whispered, “You smell so good.” He sniffed my neck.

I giggled. I could live in that moment for the rest of my life without complaining. “Are you taking me on this date or we’ll stay here?”

He pulled away, smiling, and cupped my cheeks. Shortly after, he opened the door for me. The ride was short to a nice restaurant where we had an Italian dinner with one of the best wines I ever tasted.

I told him more about the changes that happened recently in my life, and so did he. He told me he got promoted to some managerial position at work, and I genuinely was happy for him. I couldn’t stop smiling the whole date until I felt my facial muscles straining.

“I wish Mum lived longer to see me and Melissa get to better places in our lives and be proud of us.” He stared at his own reflection on the wineglass.

I extended my hand to his across the table. “She’s in a better place watching over you both. She was in pain in here.”

“Yeah,” he whispered.

We carried on eating in comfortable silence after all that we’ve talked about, throwing a comment here and there. I claimed I could copy one of the dishes and cook it just by the taste, and he didn’t miss the chance to mock my overconfidence.

“Wanna go back to my place tonight?”

I swirled the wine carefully in my glass as my chin rested in my palm. My lips closed in a straight line as I thought. “Sure.” Some bad memories really needed to be replaced that night, and the look in his eyes told me he agreed.

The ride back felt too long. My heart was pumping too loud in anticipation, but the music from the radio soothed us a little.

He opened the door for me to get off and held my hand. Going back hand in hand to spend the night after so much time felt nostalgic. I didn’t know where I’d be sleeping though. Sofa? My old bed? Would Dave give me his bed? Would we—

“Perrie. Come in.”

I was standing in front of the door while my thoughts raced until he finally invited me in. The first thing I did was put down my heavy coat and sitting down on the sofa. He came back from his room dressed in pyjamas, holding what looked like clothes for me too.