The Sound of Summer

16. We're A Family

The kiss is gentle, but full of passion. I don't realize how much I've been yearning for this until it happens. He pulls away before anything else can happen. I'm left breathless, and drunk off the kiss. I chuckle and bite my lip when I look at him.

So I wasn't delusional. He does feel the same way.

He smiles at me and I swear I melt.

"I love the time we spend together, cariño. Obviously it helps that you're one of the sexiest people I've ever met" he says and I smile. His face falls and he drops his to his side and sits back down.

"But..." I say anxiously, I sit beside him and fiddle with my hands in my lap.

"But I'm not going to start anything with you until I'm sure" he says, and my hearts sinks.

Oh.

"What are you unsure about?" I ask him, trying to get rid of any disappointment in my voice. I fail.

"Both of us. It doesn't take two months to get over someone cariño. Sometimes it doesn't even take 12 months," he says looking down at his hands and fiddling this his ring again. The mystery girl who broke his heart. Claire and I were right then. I sigh and stay quiet, unsure what to say.

"There are a lot of things I need to sort out, Lungi. I don't want to mislead you. But," he says lifting his head up and cupping my face with his hands, "I want to find my way to you. If you'll have me" he says and my heart melts. I smile and nod my head. I know exactly what he means.

"Of course I'll have you. So, what are we saying then? What are we?" I ask him

"We're... figuring it out"

"Okay. I'm fine with figuring things out. Are there rules or anything?"  He laughs at me and lightly nudges my arm with his.

"No there no rules. Only communication. I don't want you not to tell me how you feel. If I upset you, tell me okay? No matter how small it is"

"Okay. I want you to do the same. And I want you to open up to me more. I want to know the good the bad and the ugly. Can you do that for me?"

"Do you want my liver as well?" he says jokingly and I hit him in response. He laughs and smiles at me
"I will as much as I can. Can that be enough for now?" at least he was giving me honesty. I smile and rest my hand on his face. He inches into it and places a soft kiss on my hand

"It's a start," I say and stick my tongue out at him. I'm glad we had this talk, even more glad that it went so well. He's completely right about figuring our separate shit out before pursuing anything. It feels like a great step in the right direction.

Someone knocking on my door, brings me out of my train of thought.

"Is everyone clothed in here?" Monte says as he slowly opens the door. He has his hands covering his eyes but every so often he spread them open and looks through the gaps. Ha what a clown.

"Oh thank god. Okay, we're ready for you Dom," he says formally, but still with the joking Monte tone to it. I can tell he's nervous from the way he fidgets. He couldn't sit still if you paid him.

Dom lets out a deep sigh and looks at me. He seems defeated, but somewhat content with his fate. Like whatever the outcome of this is, he's come to terms with it.

"I can hold your hand if you want," I say softly with a playful smile on my face.

"Yes, please." His voice is so tender I almost come undone. I stand up first and offer him my hand. He takes it and we walk out of the room together.