The Night Before

14. A Taste Of Honey

Monica didn't sleep much that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Ringo. She faked being asleep when Paul came back from the bar and waited until she saw light peek through the window to sneak out of bed. She knew Ringo was an early riser, he should be awake by now if she was lucky.

She walked over to the room and didn't even bother knocking, she just stepped inside and saw Ringo sitting on his bed in pajama pants, drinking a glass of water and trying to calm his massive migraine. "Morning Monica" He said with surprise as she walked through the door.

She ignored him "Do you remember much from last night?"

He shook his head, "Can't say that I do." He smiled and chuckled slightly, "When have we had this conversation before?"

Monica ignored the joke, "Ringo I'm serious, how much do you remember?"

He sighed and rubbed his head trying to bring back memories, "I remember dancing with you, then Paul told me that you two were moving in together and the rest of the night is pretty much a blur."

Monica didn't waist any time speaking her mind, "So you remember trying to kiss me?" Ringo's face went red and he looked up at her, "I remember you didn't try to stop me." He retaliated.

Monica blushed slightly, "I was just caught of guard that's all, but anyway that's not the point."

"So what is?"

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do it?"

Ringo shook his head somewhat irritated, mostly because of the headache, but also out of embarrassment. "I don't know Monica, why does anyone ever try to kiss someone? Come on you're smart I thought you could figure that one out for yourself."

She nodded and looked at the floor, "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"How could I?" He asked, refusing to look at her, "You love Paul, I didn't want to mess that up, and what good would it have done anyway?"

"What good would it have done?!" Monica said, in disbelief, "I would have known! We could have talked about it, now I get to live with the knowledge that the whole time I've been happily prancing around with Paul I've been making my best friend miserable."

Ringo stood up, suddenly finding strength to look at her. He couldn't even feel his headache anymore, just a sick uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. "I wasn't miserable! I loved seeing you happy, even if it was with Paul instead of me! What made things painful is all the times I came so close to telling you. That night when you were supposed to be having your anniversary with Paul I wanted so badly to kiss you and the fact that I could never do it, or tell you how I felt is what made me miserable! I'm in love with you Monica, and that's what hurts!"

Monica didn't know what to say. She looked completely caught off guard and just stood there staring at him. The surprise at his sudden boldness and the fact that he just told her he loved her were enough to silence both of them for a moment. Monica searched for words but none were coming to mind. How could he not tell me about this sooner! We could have... we could have...

What would they have done? She wondered, she wouldn't have broken up with Paul, it really would have done no good, she'd just never looked at him like that, up until last night that is. He was always just her good friend Ringo, nothing romantic. Suddenly a terribly frightening thought came to her head. What if?

The thought stuck with her for moment, she wasn't sure what came over her. All at once she remembered how close they came last night then noticed the emotion in his beautiful blue eyes, there was sadness, hopelessness, and yet she could see a strange passion as he looked at her silently. It was something that she had seen a hundred times, and never been able to place, but now she understood.

Suddenly, without thinking, she stepped forward and pressed her lips against his. She felt him stiffen with surprise.

Her eyes shut instantly and a sudden powerful spark ran down her back, like a lightning bolt that caused her to jump away.

She just stood there startled at what she did, and even more confused at the feeling that she had felt. She stared into Ringo's eyes, neither of them said a thing, there was a strong tension between them.

There were a few moments of silence as neither of them knew what to do or how to react. What am I doing? Monica thought, You are with Paul, this is Ringo!

Ringo looked down at Monica completely taken by surprise, his eyes were wider than ever and his mouth gaped open slightly. This was the moment, he couldn't let it get away, she had kissed him. He had felt the spark he had been longing for for so long. His insides were churning, all he could think was how badly he wanted to kiss her back.

He stepped forward placing both his hands on either side of her face and pulling her into a firm but tender kiss. She tensed up for a moment but began to sink into it as all her concerns about the situation slipped away. She placed her own hand over one of his, which was still cupping her face as he kissed her slowly. She could feel the metal of his rings, the warmth of his hands, and the softness of his lips.

Monica wasn't sure what was happening but she had no time to think. The spark had returned and didn't go away but this time was enhanced by a warm tingly feeling she felt in her chest, she didn't want it to leave. She wrapped her arms around his neck letting herself fall deeper into the kiss, and he moved his hands down to her waist holding her as close as possible.

As their lips moved together nothing else seemed to matter, everything was perfect. Ringo felt happier than he had in a long time and they were both feeling an intense variety of chills and flutters, but suddenly a thought came to Monica's head. Paul! She instantly jumped back with wide eyes What am I doing! She cupped her hands around her mouth in disbelief.

"We can't..." Was all she could muster up while shaking her head. Ringo nodded quickly looking ashamed, "I know."

"It's just... there's still Paul." She was able to force out, letting her hands fall to her sides. Ringo nodded looking at the floor, "I know."

"You're one of his best friends!" She continued to explain. Ringo kept nodding, "I know."

"And my best friend!" She exclaimed loudly, Ringo looked at her still nodding "I..." "Stop saying 'I know'! It's not really helpful! Say something else!" she interrupted. Her shame and confusion was frustrating her.

"Uuuuumm..." Ringo tried to think of something to potentially help the situation, but nothing came to mind.

Monica just stared at him for a moment not sure what to do, all she could think about was the fantastic kiss, but she knew it was wrong. She'd just never felt anything like that before. She knew she couldn't stay longer, she'd end up doing something she'd regret because damn he was a good kisser. She was breathing in and out deeply.

"I need to get out of here." She said, suddenly turning around and walking toward the door, but as she did she felt a hand wrap around her wrist holding her back.

"Wait!" Said Ringo passionately. He wasn't sure what came over him but suddenly but there was an intense determination surging through him, he wouldn't let her go, he couldn't. "I know that you love Paul, but that kiss was not one sided, I know you felt that too!"

Monica looked at the floor not saying anything, "If you want to pretend like it never happened then fine, but I can't, you don't understand how long I've waited for this, how many days I had to watch you with Paul. I can't go back to that Monica, not without some kind of closure. Don't you think we should talk about this? What if there is something here."

Monica glanced up at his blue eyes quickly not daring to linger on them for fear that they would compel her to kiss him again, "That's what I'm afraid of..." she said, looking into his eyes once more, this time with sympathy, she hated to see him so hurt, but she knew if she stayed longer something would happen. she pulled her hand away and walked out the door.

She closed it behind her and leaned up against it with a sigh as she rubbed her head in frustration, What is happening?