Love Be My Oxygen

11 | Definitions

Haillie

I throw my hair up into a messy bun and pull on an oversized t-shirt as I rush around my room trying to find a belt to bring the waist in and add some sort of shape to the outfit. Apparently I sleep deeper than a bear through winter because I managed to sleep through all 5 alarms I set for this morning.

Family dinner, Lewis is meeting my parents and I'm late. After just one date I hadn't expected him to agree to come along to the dinner but as soon as I texted him the details he agreed without hesitation.

Just as I lay my hands on a dark brown belt I hear a horn from outside my flat. I glance out of the window and see Lewis sitting casually in his red Ferrari looking like something from a movie, is he even real?

I frantically wrap the belt around my waist and grab a small backpack with my phone and purse in it then run out of the door, not wanting to keep him waiting.

As soon as I walk out of the front doors Lewis jumps out of the car and walks towards me smiling, not his signature smirk, this was more pure.

"What? Do I look that much of a mess?" I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear and look to the floor embarrassed.

"Quite the opposite actually, I didn't realise that perfection could somehow become even more perfect," Lewis lifts the car door open and gestured for me to get in, the smile not once leaving his lips.

We get to my family's small house and I see my Mum looking out of the window clearly having heard about my new friend. She pays no attention to the Ferrari until it stops directly in front of the house.

A confused expression washes across her face until I step out of the passenger side, now her face is a mask of complete shock. With-in seconds my family are all out of the front door and walking towards us, my little brother runs up and jumps into my arms.

"Mason! I've not seen you in ages lil trooper," I snuggle into him as he struggles in my arms to avoid my kisses.

"Mum says I get first pick of the desserts if I eat all my dinner!" His little eyes light up in excitement as he tells me about everything that's happened since I saw him last week which for a five year old is a lot.

I put him down and look over to my Dad who is making small talk with Lewis, admiring every inch of his car.

"Well at least your Dad is fond of your new man," my Mum walks up from behind wrapping her arms around me.

"He's not my man, but yes he does get points if Dad likes him," the words come out sadder than I intended, admitting that we aren't together seems like I'm delivering a blow to myself.

Elouise is standing in the kitchen helping cook the meal and Kevin is sitting in the living room watching football on the television, paying little attention to the fact that the rest of the family left the room just minutes before.

I feel a hand on my back and turn to see Lewis standing close behind me. My cheeks go red embarrassed for some reason at how quaint my family's house is compared to the acres of land his family must own. I shake my head annoyed at myself for thinking any less of what my family has just because they don't have as much money.

"You know, I've not been to a family dinner since I was 12," Lewis says it under his breath so that only I can hear him.

He must see my look of pity because he brushes it off quickly saying that everyone is too busy in their own professional lives to make meeting up often practical. The way he talks about his family is so clinical, like they are business colleagues as opposed to blood related.

"Well I'm glad you have time in your busy schedule to join me for mine," I say jokingly.

"Pfft, I'd say yes to any activity if it involved being able to get to know you better," Lewis looks down at me with a softness in his eyes, like he is admiring something in me and I can't quite tell what it is.

I blush and look at the floor, tucking my hair behind my ear again suddenly nervous under his gaze. Lewis steps back suddenly half a step to distance our bodies slightly as though snapping out of a trance and the look is gone from his eyes.

I can't help the slight rejection from the space now between us but my Mum calls us to the table just in time to give me a distraction from worrying. I am sat in the middle of the three chairs on one side of the table with Lewis on my left and Mason on my right. Elouise is across from me with Kevin beside her then my Mum and Dad are at each end.

Dinner progresses smoothly as my family chit chats about different things in everyone's lives before the conversations shifts to my Dad and Kevin discussing football then to my Mum gossiping with Elouise about the neighbours.

I relax into my chair, every so often tensing when Lewis' leg brushes against mine. The butterflies that swarm through me from such little contact is almost overwhelming, yet he sits completely unaware in perfect composure.

"So, how long have you two been together then?" My Mum speaks up through a bite of food making me freeze.

My heart starts beating fast embarrassed that Lewis must now think I have told my family we are dating. Right now I'd love nothing more than for the group to swallow me whole.

"Umm, we aren't really-"

"Well we met around a month ago now I think, isn't it Haillie?" Lewis speaks up so casually, taking my hand in his on top of the table effortlessly.

My mouth goes dry and I can imagine my face looks as though I've seen a ghost but all I do is nod my head at him. He winks at me, rubbing his thumb across my hand in a soothing manner, clearly able to sense my discomfort.

I can't even process coherent thoughts as Lewis continues to hold my hand and trace patterns across my skin subconsciously throughout the rest of the meal. Once dessert is finished and our small talk end, Elouise announces she needs to get back home to look at some more wedding venues before arranging visits the next day.

I take that as our cue to leave and stand from the table quickly, dropping Lewis' hand not quite knowing what the new boundaries he has set are. He thanks my Mum for the amazing meal and shakes hands with my Dad saying words I can't hear from where I'm standing.

The car seems heavy with unsaid words once the doors close yet the only noise is our breathing.

"I-I'm sorry about that, sometimes my family just assumes things," I start babbling but then realise that I don't know what to say to make this any less embarrassing.

All Lewis does is laugh, "Haillie, you stress too much. It's not a big deal and your family are lovely." As always his calm demeanour settles my nerves and I allow myself to relax into the seat a bit.

Now it's my turn to shake my head in disbelief.

"What's that look for?" Lewis has a confusion painted on his face.

"Just this, you. It's too good to be true," I stare into his eyes feeling helpless, not wanting to lose him but knowing that inevitably he will become the one that got away.

Lewis reaches forward and pushes a strand of hair behind my ear causing my breathing to slow, aware of every minute movement, "If only you could read my thoughts."

"And what are your thoughts?" I look up at him through heavy eyes, the tension in the car intensifying with every passing second.

"Right now? This," he leans forward until his breath fans over my lips as though asking permission silently.

I close the distance without missing a beat, my hands resting on his chest as his wrap around my waist. The kiss is gentle, our lips moulding together perfectly in soft motions neither of us making any moves to change this moment.

We pull back and he stares into my eyes with clouded vision, the lust dancing across his gaze which he tries to hold back, "Now my thoughts are less holy."

"That makes two of us." I lean my head against the headrest and close my eyes as my thoughts dance in a cloud of bliss.