Close As Strangers // C.H.

Chapter 5:

Brooke's POV

It's almost six, right before sunset, and I am waiting for Calum to come get me from wherever he went a couple hours ago.

I dressed casual like he said and curled my hair some. I found this flannel shirt in my luggage but it seems to be a little big. It's too comfortable to put back. I just don't know who's it is.

I hear Max calling my name so I make my way to the living room. Calum is wearing his usual black skinny jeans but there is a black button up shirt clinging to his top half, his hair perfectly pushed up.

"Are you ready?" He nervously rubs his the back of his neck.

"Mm hm," I place my phone into my back pocket.

Calum takes my hand and leads me out the door. When we are out of Max's sight Calum whispers to me, "You look beautiful." Then he gives me a kiss on the cheek.

Instantly I can feel the heat rush to my cheeks. I don't know why my body automatically reacts this way to Calum.

He opens the passenger door for me, closing it after I get in. We ride in a comfortable silence for a few minutes with only the radio quietly playing. That is until Calum speaks up.

"Marie and the lads were thinking about coming to visit the last few days while we're here."

I tense up at the mention of our friends. I don't really know anything about them, and I am kind of scared to be honest. I don't know how to act.

Sensing my uneasiness, Calum gives my hand a squeeze and places our tangled hands on my thigh. It actually helps to calm me some.

"Don't worry. It will be easy." I nod and my focus leads out the window.

--

"We're here." I didn't notice I was sleepy until now when Calum is having to wake me up.

I look around and see the beach that I have seen these past few days. Calum already has my door open and takes my hand again after I get out of the car.

While walking to wherever it is we are going, I think about the feeling of my small hand in his large, calloused one. The feeling calming my whole body.

We come up on a blanket spread out over the sand. I practically fall in love at the sight on the blanket.

"Pizza and sour cherry vodka?" I ask Calum to make sure it's really there.

"Yup, I got your favorites. Look over the water." I turn to see a beautiful sunset.

"This is beautiful Calum."

"Sure is." I glance at him from the corner of my eyes to catch him looking at me instead of the sunset. I bite my lip to keep myself from smiling.

"Come on let's eat." Calum suggests making me follow him.

"Maybe we shouldn't drink a whole lot tonight." I say as he pours us both some of the mixed drink.

"I was thinking the same thing." We both laugh and remember this morning.

--

Enjoying the pizza and drinks, Calum tells me stories of when he was on tour. We have an awesome time laughing and just spending time together. It's been a really good night.

"Calum, I have to say that I have had a really good time tonight." His smile grows at hearing my words.

"I'm glad you're having a good time."

I start to see the sparkle in his eyes grow as his brown eyes flicker between my lips and my eyes. I realize that my eyes are doing the same thing. We both lean in at the same time.

He stops short causing our lips to brush but barely touch. I wrap my arms around his neck and our lips meet. Calum lets out a sigh of relief I'm guessing.

Our lips move in perfect synchronization causing this unknown feeling to rise in me. His soft, warm lips pull up into a smile before he pulls away.

The kiss wasn't rushed. It was filled with so much... so much love. It was so intoxicating that makes me want to kiss him again.

"Wow," the words slip out before I realize.

"I love you so much," apparently his words slipped out to. The look of surprise is clear on his face as it is most likely on mine too.

"I didn't mean to..." I surprise him this time my giving him a quick kiss to get him to stop talking.

"It's fine. Don't worry about it. When I feel the same again, I'll tell you that I love you."

"But I don't want to push you into anything."

"You're not Calum. I kissed you because I wanted to." I give him a smile which he returns with a small one.

"How about we finish this pizza then maybe we can go back to the house and watch a movie? Unless you have something else planned?" I ask trying to take his mind off of this subject right now.

"This is it. A movie sounds good."

--

Thanks so much for reading. Please vote and comment what you think.