“And how exactly is that?” he asks as he opens the refrigerator to grab a water bottle.
“Bubbles please, two glasses.” I offer an innocent smile with a tilt of my head.
Evan puts the water bottle back in the refrigerator and grabs a bottle ofverynice champagne and two champagne glasses. I think I have him hooked.
“Continue,” he says as he walks back over to me, trying to seem unenthused with my idea.
“Well, you yourself said that you’ve had feelings for me for a very long time, almost a decade! Which I’m still not over that, but we can discuss that at a later time. Anyways, in the last year alone I feel like I’ve changed so much. I can’t imagine that the person you fell for is still the person I am today.”
Evan opens his mouth, but then closes it. I’m reeling him in, I can feel it.
“So, since we’ve been given this opportunity to spend a weekend together, away from our nosey friends and family, you can see me for who I really am. Unfiltered Amelia. We skip the weird first date convos and go straight into the living together part of the relationship.”
“I don’t know, I could just wait until you’re ready.” He rubs the delicious scruff on his jawline.
Focus, Amelia!
“Do you know how messy it would be if we started dating, and then after a few months decided to call it quits? It would make holidays weird, Antonio would want to kill you, and nothing would ever be the same. But here, you can figure out if what you feel for me is just physical or if you really do want to pursue me in the future, when I’m ready. If not, no harm no foul. We can leave this weekend behind us as our little secret.” I nod towards the bottle of champagne, already tasting victory on the horizon. “Look, Evan. It’s one weekend. We get to be ourselves, away from the rest of the world. We get to leave our responsibilities and familial obligations behind. Once we get back to the city, we’ll go back to non-dating. Depending on how this weekend goes, you’ll decide if you’re able or even want to wait for me to be fully ready for a relationship, and I’ll know if you live up to all of my first crush dreams.” I playfully nudge him, then switch into my serious tone. “I want to do this with you, but I’m not ready for the judgment that will no doubt come from us dating, especially so soon after my disastrous breakup.” I pout for extra effect.
Evan releases a deep breath as he pops open the bottle of champagne and pours us each a glass. I grab my glass and tilt it towards his. “So do we have a deal?” I flash him a mischievous smile.
“Amelia, this could all go down in flames. Me and you have a good thing going now. We’re finally having open and honest conversations, so we both know where we stand.” He sighs as he leans back on the couch. “Although you do make some valid points …”
Ok Amelia. Now or never.
“Well.” I take a generous sip of my champagne, then set it on the coffee table. “We would be able to spend all weekend doing things like this.” I put my hands on his shoulders and slowly swing my left leg across to the other side of his thigh until I’m straddling him. “Does it seem like such a bad idea now?”
Evan’s eyes go wide, and I take the opportunity to grab his champagne glass and take a small sip. His hands grab a hold of my waist and dig in softly.
“So, do we have a deal Mr. Cooper?” I say as I slide both arms around his neck until I’m leaning just a breath away from him.
Evan lifts his right hand to the back of my neck and whispers. “It’s EvanFuckingCooper. And yes, we have a deal.”
And it’s sealed with a kiss.
* * *
We spent the rest of the morning attached at the hip. Literally.
Once I pulled that straddle move on Evan, it was as if he put a ban on me sitting on any other surface in the house.
We put together a cute brunch spread, made out some more on the couch like a couple of horny teenagers and cuddled up to watch a thriller in front of the fireplace all before noon.
Living the dream.
“How many more serial killer movies are you gonna make me watch on the floor babe?” Evan mumbles into my ear while cuddled up behind me.
I’ve created a poorly formed pillow fort in front of the fireplace with cozy throw blankets and oversized accent pillows. Evan has been big spooning me the whole movie.
“Oh, come on. That was a classic.” I scoff as I walk to the kitchen to get us some water.
Evan stands and starts stretching his back. “Ok. Next movie is happening on one of these massive couches. My back is already a wreck from laying on a pom pom for over an hour.” He picks up a tiny pillow and throws it back on the couch.
I come back to the living room and hand him a water bottle. “Sorry, old man. Blame Pinterest for setting unrealistic expectations of watching movies in front of a fireplace.”
“Old man, huh?” He quips.
“Yeah, maybe you should head to the gym and loosen up those muscles.”
