Another Love

Part 5. The Perfect Opportunity

Nick walked down Coronation Street on his lunch break and through to empty Rosamund Street. He looked around and minded his own business. He then looked into the Bookies' window to see if Peter was there. He was correct. Peter was leaning against the counter with his head in his hands. Nick instantly saw this as a perfect opportunity to see Carla. He walked twice as quick as he was before and stopped at Roy's Rolls first.

Back in number 12 Victoria Court, Carla lay there on the sofa, listening to quiet music while holding a glass of wine. That would be her fourth one that day and it was only 2 o' clock in the afternoon, but obviously she didn't mind. Especially when it comes to wine. Her thoughts were disturbed when a knock came to the door. She forced herself off of the sofa and dragged herself towards the door. She opened it to find a happy Nick Tilsley. She smiled once she saw that little face of his. "Hiya, you alright?" Carla said as she walked into the kitchen and grabbed another glass. She left the door open for Nick to enter.
"I got you this." He said as he stretched out his arm and held a warm espresso.
"Nick, you love spoiling me don't you?" Carla happily said while accepting the cup of coffee. She wrapped her cold fingers around the paper cup and sipped it, suddenly she groaned in pain. The boiling coffee burned against her sensitive tongue. "Ah! Well that's hot!" Carla laughed.
"What? Me?" Nick joked. Carla tilted her head and smiled while she was lost deep in his eyes. She didn't say anything back, maybe she thought he was.
Carla sat down on the sofa and patted the empty space next to her. Signalling Nick to join her. Nick didn't even think of turning down the offer of sitting next to her. He loved being with Carla, and he didn't know why...
He sank into the white leather and got comfortable. He faced Carla and rested his arm on the back of the sofa. There was silence for a minute. The pair were totally quiet. They just looked at each other in complete silence. All you could hear was the smooth music playing, until Nick opened a conversation.
"So, how have you and Peter been since the accident?" Nick asked concerned.
"We're... okay." Carla said unsure, and Nick wasn't convinced either.
"Why? What's wrong?" Nick asked. He rested his hand on Carla's knee. She didn't hesitate, she just smiled slightly. A very small smile that lasted for only half a second, but Nick saw it.
"Well, he loves the booze more than he loves me, although he's trying to quit I can tell he's suffering. Me and you can both see that Peter is losing this custody hearing, and that's ripping him apart. Also we're just not as strong as before. Like I feel like I have feelings for someone else." Carla began fast but ended slowly as she uncontrollably confessed to Nick that she was interested in someone else. The pair fell silent once again as they had serious looks on their faces. They stared so deep in each other's eyes they were probably going to hypnotise one another. Nick knew what she meant, straight away. Carla's body language and the way she looked at him said it all. Carla leaned in and got closer to Nick, Nick saw what was coming and reacted the same way. Their heads slowly coming closer towards each other. Carla's lips were almost touching Nick's. She thought to herself should I? Before she gave in and pushed her lips onto his. Nick reciprocated and grabbed the back of her neck gently, being careful of her injury, which was quickly healing. His fingers played with her long brown hair as it tangled around them. Carla pushed Nick backwards until she lay on top of him. The kiss was so passionate that neither Carla or Nick wanted to stop, but Carla had to. She unlocked their lips and returned to her usual sitting position. She wiped the saliva from around her mouth whilst mumbling, "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, we were caught in the moment." Nick said lifting himself up.
"I shouldn't have kissed you, I've made a mess!" Carla worried whilst getting up and walking around the room. She stood still and covered her face with both hands. She exhaled so deeply that it's a surprise she didn't collapse.
"No Carla, it wasn't your fault." Nick said, too getting up from the sofa. He walked over to Carla, grabbed her soft hands and removed them so he could see her beauty. He comforted her with a hug to make her feel better, and it really did make her feel better. "You don't need to worry. We just won't tell anyone. What just happened, never happened okay?" Nick ended. Although he really didn't want to say these words, he had to for Carla's sake. He didn't want to ruin Carla's happiness with Peter. But what he didn't know was that Carla had no happiness with Peter. Not anymore. What he really wanted to say was that he had strong feelings for this beautiful woman. But he just couldn't.
"I gotta go." Nick said quietly. He dragged his feet across the floor in disappointment and opened the door. He walked out, and as he shut the door behind him, Carla turned around to face the door as if she had changed her mind. Maybe she did... But she was too late...