Cross My Heart

Chapter Eight

Dan helps me clean up the picnic and I stuff it all into the backpack. “Hey, you know what I also realized?” he says.

            I cast a sideways glance at him, unsure what to expect. “Yeah?”

            “I don’t know where you live,” he tells me, an honest look in his eyes.

            I shrug the backpack onto my shoulders and look at him. “Wow. I guess not. Well, follow me!” I say, starting to walk back to the entrance of the park.

            He walks up beside me and finds my hand. I lace my fingers in with his and feel a casual smile grow.

            We reach the apartment building and head upstairs. “Here we are,” I gesture to my door. “Honestly, it’s not that great.”

            I open the door and let Dan in first. He slowly turns in a circle, taking the whole living room in. “Wicked!” he finally says.

            I shake my head and hang my pack on the door hook. I point to the couch. “That’s where I spend most of my time, on the computer or my phone. Or by the window,” I admit, pointing to the window. “And over there’s the kitchen, mostly filled with bread, Nutella, and frozen dinners.”

            Dan tromps over and opens the fridge. “Why?”

            “What?” I walk over and put my hand on his shoulder.

            “Why is that all you have? Can you not afford anything?”

            “Well,” I reach up and rub the back of my neck. “I technically could, but I’m kinda terrified of spending too much, not paying rent, getting kicked out, etcetera…” I explain.

            Dan frowns. “Don’t worry, you won’t have a problem anymore,” he tells me.

            “What do you mean?”

            “Well, being famous does have its perks,” he says. “You’ve got me. I’ll make sure you don’t go broke.” He winks as he reassures me and I laugh.

            “Thank you, really.” I reach around and hug him.

            He straightens up and turns around, wrapping his arms around me. Then he leans in and presses his forehead to mine. “Thank you," he whispers.

            “What for?” I ask breathlessly. I’m still getting used to the fact that someone loves me.

            “I was…” he thinks for a moment. “I’ve been alone for a while now. Nobody came along, at least nobody good. Then you happened. And I’m so happy.” With that, he leans in and presses his lips to mine.

            I kiss him back, breathing in his scent and wrapping my arms around his neck. I can feel the loneliness he mentioned and try to tell him that I won’t be leaving him either. Cross my heart.

            He pulls me tighter and kisses my cheek before pulling away. I unwrap my arms and blink up at him with a smile.

            We end up sitting on the couch together by the window. He sprawls out and I lay next to him, leaning onto his shoulder. He wraps his arm around my shoulder.

            “Sorry I had to leave you like that,” he says quietly.

            “It’s okay. We’re okay now,” I reassure him.