Make Me Forget

twelve.

Sunny

When Archie told me about Sarah, it all made sense. Everything from the sadness in his eyes, his mysteriousness, the fact that he's still hurting. It was obvious why I connected with him. Why I felt comfortable telling him about Mae, something I tried to steer from with most people.

    Comfort is the word I would use to describe what Archie made me feel that morning. It's not the comfort where you are fine where you are, where you don't want to change. It's the comfort that gives you the boost to change, look at things from a new perspective, and chase after the What If's. There was no hesitation from either of us when I took his hand in mine on our way to my kitchen. All I felt was...comfort.

    The smell of coffee already brewing was what caused me to retreat my hand from Archie's as we approached the kitchen. Upon entering, I saw my dad sitting at the breakfast bar, sipping his morning coffee as he read the morning paper. He looked up above his newspaper, his eyes moving between me and Archie, who had slowed down behind me. I gave my dad the biggest smile.

    My dad was not a strict parent. He was okay with me dating, with me making decisions. He trusted I made decisions that were best for me. So, I wasn't surprised when he greeted Archie as if he was just an old friend.

    Dad stood up and shook Archie's hand. Introducing himself, Archie's eyes wide with recognition.

    "I'm sorry," Archie laughed looking at me, "I didn't realize Joseph Collins is your father."

    I waved him off and walked over to the coffee pot.

    "Yeah, yeah, sorry, I forget you're not from here." I laughed and poured us both a cup of coffee Then we joined my dad with me sitting next to him, while Archie stood to the side, scrolling through his phone. I assume he was getting an Uber.

    "So, what are you kids up to, today?" my Dad asked.

    "I'll be heading home in a few minutes, sir." Archie stated before taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm just waiting for my Uber." Archie smiled at me and I smiled back.

    "What about you, honey?" My dad turned, curiously.

    "I have to be at the Salon by two. No other plans, really."

    "Archie, did you know Sunny here runs the grooming salon all by herself?" Dad always found a way to compliment me.

    Archie looked at me curiously and smiled at my dad. "No, I did not. Good to know."

    "Yes," Dad reached behind me, patting me on the back. "I'm very proud of her for that."

    Dad is the most genuine person I know, and his compliments mean the world to me. I'm the true definition of a daddy's girl. All I ever want is to make sure he's happy and proud of me.

    We spend the next few minutes exchanging pleasantries. Archie and I did our best to make last night sound like a tame get-together when my Dad asked what we were got into the night before. But Archie, proving himself to be a gentleman, stepped in.

    "I admittedly had too much to drink, but Sunny happened to be at the right place, right time. She made sure I was safe and okay. Like a real friend would".

    I smiled at Archie but I wasn't sure if my smile was genuine. Labeling me a "friend" caused a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. Did he really think I was just a friend? Even after the moments we've shared? Archie's phone pinged with a notification.

    "Uber?" I asked. He nodded and put his phone back in his pocket. "Want me to walk you out?" I asked him.

    "If you don't, I'll probably get lost." He joked. Archie turned to my Dad, excusing himself, and expressing his pleasure in meeting him. I could tell my dad was impressed with Archie's manners. I was, too.

    We walked in silence to the front door. There was an obvious unspoken tension between us, but I couldn't put my finger on exactly what it was. When we reached the door, we faced each other; both of us thinking about what to say.

    I was the first to break the silence.

    "Thank you for telling me about Sarah" I whispered as I looked into his beautiful brown eyes.

    His stare lingered on my face for a bit before he smiled and used his knuckles to caress my cheek. It was static. I placed my hands on his waist and pulled him closer to me. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him again. I leaned up on my tippy toes as far as I could, still unable to reach him. I hesitated with the feeling of rejection when Archie just looked at me. Did I misinterpret something? But my fears were pushed aside when his lips crashed onto mine.

    His hand crept up my lower back, embracing the back of my neck and making our kiss deeper. I swear if he wasn't holding me up, my legs would have given out under me. When Archie pulled away, I opened my eyes to see his searching mine. I exhaled as my eyes landed on his lips once more. I bit my lip as I restrained myself from going in to kiss him again.

    I wanted to see him again. I wanted to spend some time with him. And I knew the only way to do this was to stay in touch with him.

    "Can I have your phone number?" I asked coyly. This was completely out of character for me. I've already said Archie brought me out of comfort zone.

    Archie looked away and searched the room before making eye contact with me. I could see him gulp.

    "No," he said.

    I scoffed in disbelief.

    "Are you serious?" I laughed.

    He smiled and opened the door.

    "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, Sunny." He smiled. "But after this morning with you, I'm feeling a lot of things I'm not sure I'm ready for."

    I completely understood that, I was just not ready to be rejected in that way.

    "I'll see you around?" he asked.

    I smiled and nodded as I watched him walk to his Uber, closing the door once he was inside. It hurt to put myself out there, only to be rejected. But Archie was right. Maybe we should give it a little bit longer before we see if this is something worth pursuing. Everything in me was saying it was.