𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧' 𝐆𝐮𝐲 ➺ 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝒶𝓃 𝑀𝒶𝓎 & 𝒬𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃

18. Keep Breathing

"You do know about the birds and the bees, don't you?" Emma asked, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

I gave her an unamused look. "Emma, hun, I'm twenty-two. I know about the birds and the bees."

"I'm just looking out for you! Now that you and Brian are a thing," she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. "It's all good knowing how it works, but... you have to know how to do it, Maria."

I let out a sigh, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me. It was true—I didn't know all the ins and outs of sex or how to make it not awkward. Emma, on the other hand, had more experience with the opposite sex and exuded a certain sex appeal that I lacked.

It had been a fantastic week since bonfire night, and Brian had been growing more affectionate each day. He would call me every morning and every night, making sure I was okay, wishing me a good day, and sending me off with sweet dreams. It still felt strange to accept that I had someone in my life in that way. It had only been a week, yet I already felt more complete. I hate to admit it, but I'm the kind of girl who can't function without that special affection. Before Brian, I relied on myself to combat the loneliness, and it didn't end well... But let's not dwell on that now.

"Maria," Emma's voice chimed in, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Did you hear what I said?"

No.

"Uh..."

"I'll take that as a no," she sighed, plopping down next to me. She took my hands in hers and looked deep into my soul—an intense stare which she reserved for serious advice-giving moments. "If it's going to happen with Brian, it will happen. There's no use forcing it, but don't turn it away if the opportunity comes."

"But how do I know when the opportunity comes?" I whined.

"You'll want it more than you're scared of it," she reassured me with a comforting smile. "Right." She took a deep breath, standing up from the sofa. "I'm meeting Roger before the lecture. Are you making your way up on your own?"

My face dropped a little at the mention of Roger's name, but I quickly regained my composure, nodding and forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I need to grab some pasta for tonight before the lecture anyway, so it doesn't matter."

As I got up, I noticed Emma's expression remained still, her eyebrows furrowing and her head tilting to one side.

"What?"

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, her concern evident.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied with a light chuckle, hoping to convince her. "Go get your man."

She squealed in delight, slipping back into that giddy schoolgirl persona she assumed when she was deeply infatuated with someone. All I could do was playfully shake my head at my best friend, making my way to the sink to wash a glass from the previous night.

It was only in the corner of my eye that I caught a glimpse of a circular piece of metal on the draining board. I picked it up, bringing it closer to my face.

"Oh, yeah, I don't know whose ring that is, by the way, so I just left it there," Emma casually mentioned while rummaging through the fridge.

A small smile spread across my lips, the corners threatening to tug up even further. "Yeah..." I began, turning the ring in my hand to admire its intricate patterns. "It's Brian's."

"Ah..." Emma replied, her voice laced with playful curiosity as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down. "And why did he have to take his ring off, Maria?"

"Oh, shut up!" I scoffed, glancing back at Emma with a mock scowl before focusing my attention on the ring and sliding it onto my index finger. "He took it off so he could wash the dishes. Something you weren't doing while you were snogging Roger's face off." I shot her a sour smile before heading to the phone in the hallway.