Falling in Love with Fashion

New Version Ch 2 'Casting Call' Pt.1

My alarm clock goes off at its regular set time. The romantic melody of the piano coaxing me out of my sleep makes me inhale deeply. I try to stretch, but the weight and warmth of someone else's body sleeping under me lets me know I'm not alone. My brain registers an additional scent that has been unfamiliar to me for two weeks. I open my eyes, glance down and find Jessica's body tangled with my body. We are both sleeping in almost a fetal position; with my arm under her, her head resting closely to my chest while her left arm is resting on my chest; my leg is under her leg while it's resting on my hip. My eyes continue traveling over her body and I'm taken aback to find that she's completely naked. "What the fuck." I mouth to myself. I don't remember us having sex-did we have sex?-I ask myself mentally. I sigh at the sheer thought of it. Sex can cause so much hope and confusion in an already sensitive situation. So, yes it was upsetting to think that we might have had sex because I didn't want her to think that she could win me over that way.

I glance over at my own body; a sigh of relief escapes my mouth at the sight of my Calvin Kline waistband. It was definitely a welcoming sight. I clear my throat-that was a close one-I think to myself. Jessica exhales softly, shifts her body weight under me and then falls back into her peaceful state. As I look at her quiet loveliness, I replay last night's events. How broken Jessica had been as oppose to how serene she appears in my arms now makes me realize how much of an asshole I was last night. It's hard to fathom how indifferently I had treated her. For a man that loved and still loves her so deeply I never thought I'd be that kind of dick. The kind that can see the woman he loves, cry in front of him and not be moved by her tears, her pleas for forgiveness, see her stumble drunk being crazy in her transparency and it is all the same to him. That's not the man I am. That's not the man my mother raised me to be. There was no excuse for my behavior last night and frankly thinking of it now it disappoints me.

Easing my arm from under her head, Jessica's eyes flutter open and she smiles weakly at me. I lean in and kiss her on the forehead, when I lean back I ask her, "How do you feel?"

She clears her throat, "Like shit."

I chuckle, "I bet," I inhale deeply, while her hazel eyes look back at me, pupils dilating waiting for words of comfort, I'm at a loss for words. It was conflicting to see her here as if nothing had happened, it's a surreal scene. However, I don't have the time to register and digest it all. I have to get my day going, "I have to get up and get ready." I tell her.

She nods her head a hint of disappointment is mirrored in her eyes, "I know." She lifts her head enough so I can pull my arm from under her. "I should be going as well." She lets me know as she sits up on my bed.

I look over my shoulder while I'm quieting the classical music coming from the alarm clock, "You sure? You can stay until you feel better."

Running her hand over her rosy cheek, all the way up to her hair, she drops her gaze, concealing what I believe is her grin, "Are you sure? I really don't want to impose."

I turn around to face her, letting my hand to consciously reach out for her left cheek. Caressing it, Jessica shuts her eyes and leans her lips into the palm of my hand. The softness of her petal like lips, and the warmth that's pressed against my hand as she gives me a soft kiss awakens emotions I wish would die already. Her soft inquiring eyes look back at me, and I feel helpless under spell. Finally I tell her, "You're not imposing."

"You promise?"

"Yes I promise." I assure her with a smile.