Needing is One Thing

Chapter 23. Every step that I take is another mistake to you.

Andrew strolled beside Mika, hands in his pockets as they walked along the path. It wound lazily through the scattered old trees and flower beds, a remnant of the World's Fair nearly a century before that the city maintained. He could tell she was nervous, had smiled softly and offered the walk rather than returning to K's cafe. Mika gladly accepted the invitation. It gave her something to do other than sit and stare at him, trying to figure out how to step back from their relationship.

She snuck a peek at him out of the corner of her eye. He seems different. Every now and then his cologne would tease her nose. His buttoned shirt was a deep blue, open at the collar, the muted color of his khakis making it more vibrant. The sun was hot today and he left his jacket in the car. Oddly, Mika wished she was holding his hand. She looked down at his hips for a second to see him pull it from his pocket. A hesitant smile played around his lips when she looked up and saw him looking back. Startled, she turned back to watch where they were going.

The path finally broke out from under the trees onto the brick square that surrounded the large fountain the city was famous for. The breeze was just right, brisk enough that the mist coming off the dancing water reached them as they stood at the fence but without the risk of becoming damp. Mika lifted her face into it and closed her eyes. She heard Andrew step away but didn't look after him. Instead, she savored the peace before she would disrupt it.

Suddenly, she felt something soft slide along her cheek and stepped back, opening her eyes to find Andrew in front of her. He held a small pair of violet anemones up, their scent lingering on her skin. He must have bought them from the small flower cart under the edge of the trees. As she looked, the elderly proprietor smiled at the two of them before turning to sell a bouquet to a tourist. Mika blushed and raised a hand to her cheek.

"I wanted to make you smile," Andrew told her, stepping up to slide one of the flowers into her hair above her ear. "It isn't nearly as beautiful as you are but it brings out the color of your eyes." He looked down, giving her the flower's twin and put his other hand over hers as she took it from him.

Mika stared at their hands. Even his touch feels different. She would have thought he'd be shaking a little, nervous like they had been in the past, but now it was only her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off.

"I was an insensitive jerk, Mika," Andrew admitted. "What your father did was terrible and I wanted to stop him." He gave a dry laugh. "I wanted to hurt him back, believe me, ten times worse than what he put you through but my mother, my job... I'm sorry. It was wrong. I wasn't thinking." His hands tightened on hers a second, almost painfully, surprising her. "You are the most important thing in my life, the whole reason for being-" Andrew cut his words off. He took his hand away, reaching forward and lifting her head instead. He saw her unease. "I'm sorry."

Andrew studied her face intently for a moment before leaning down to her.

Mika stepped back, denying him before his lips reached hers. It's just another pretty speech, she reminded herself, her heart pounding. What is wrong with me?

Andrew sighed. He ran a hand through his hair and maneuvered them back into their walk, picking a quieter path among the trees. Looking along it, he saw they were alone and quickly stepped in front of her, making her step up short.

"Andrew..." Mika finally managed to say something, managed to put a weak warning into her voice. It's a start.

"Mika," His voice sounded too bright in his ears. He dialed it back. "Do you believe in magic?"

The question took her totally off guard, an unexpected change of topic. Andrew's eyes lit up as he saw her pause and consider. He asked the question again. "Do you believe in magic? Not like rabbits out of hats or card tricks," he continued, "Real magic." His eyes watched hers intently.