SHAN
“Ew, don’t come near me, Kuya.
You have cold.”
I laughed at Elyse’s disgusted reaction when I tried to hug her the next day I got wet because of the rain.
Kierra and I didn’t have an umbrella and I didn’t want her to get sick, so I just covered her up with my jacket.
“Are you seriously sick right now?”
Haze affectedly covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief so she wouldn’t catch whatever I had.
I had cold.
He even moved his seat away from me.
“Damn, no one wants me.” I complained to them.
We were at the coffee shop, and for some reason, they all showed up today.
They hadn’t planned it, either.
Elyse said she was near, so she decided to pass by.
Kuya Roel was waiting at the side, drinking coffee.
I couldn’t work today because I had a cold so I was just supervising.
‘I’m here, bro.” Hiro patted my shoulder to comfort me.
“I don’t get easily sick, unlike Haze.
It’s fine.”
“Thanks, bro…” I touched my chest out of gratitude, and he laughed.
“You’re the only man I ever respected in this house.”
“What does that mean?” Haze furrowed his brows, a handkerchief still covering his mouth and nose.
“Ah, anyway, I have news…”
“That better be not about me…” Elyse said nervously.
I looked at her and raised a brow, wondering what she was trying to hide.
“No, but I already know something about you.
Anyway, that’s not what I was going to talk about…” Haze changed the topic.
Elyse made a dramatic gasp and covered her mouth.
“What do you know about me?” Elyse asked again, but Haze ignored her and talked about other people.
____________________________
When the Juarez brothers left, I was staring at Elyse with my arms crossed over my chest.
She couldn’t even look at me.
“Do you have a boyfriend now?” I asked her directly.
‘It’s not like that!” She immediately denied.
“You know me, Kuya!
Studies first and…
And I’m busy with cheer dancing!”
I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling.
What a bad liar.
I didn’t probe more since she didn’t want to admit it alone.
Maybe she wasn’t comfortable telling me yet.
I understood that she could be really shy about it, given that it was the first time she would ever talk about another boy.
_______________________
I became busy afterward with my finals.
I’m constantly deprived of sleep.
The most hours of sleep I could get was three hours.
If I’m lucky, maybe four, but often it’s just two hours.
When I went to school to take the exam, Miguel already stood up to talk to me, but I raised my hand.
“Don’t fuck with me right now.
I didn’t have sleep.
I don’t have patience for you.”
His lips parted with shock.
“You’re fucking rude.
I’ll talk to you after exams.”
I rolled my eyes and just took my seat, ready for the exam.
Like what he said, he followed me to the parking lot after exams to talk.
He was alone.
He wasn’t with those asshole friends of his.
“What do you know about me?” He asked a direct question tinged with a threat.
I laughed and closed the door of my car to face him again.
“What are you scared of?” I raised a brow and looked down at him since I was a bit taller.
“Why did you mention Kierra?” He asked, getting closer to lower his voice.
“You got a thing with her?” He let out a laugh, mocking me.
“So you do know her.
Why did you pretend that you didn’t?” I asked this time.
“Ah…
I did not pretend.
She was just not that important to remember.” He shrugged, laughing and tapping my shoulders.
“Why?
What was she telling people?
Dude, I’m telling you, stay away from that woman.” He moved closer to whisper.
“She’s crazy…”
I held his wrist tightly and aggressively removed it away from my body.
“Shut up.” I hissed.
“Do you really have a thing going on with her?” He looked surprised.
“Friendly advice…
Don’t.
She almost ruined my life by spreading rumors about me!
Don’t believe that, bro…
She’s sick.”
My hands are clenched, holding myself back.
My fingers were already digging through my palm.
I counted in my head just to stop myself from smacking him in the face.
“I said…
Shut up.”
“I heard she’s seeing a doctor.
I told you she’s crazy and delusional-”
Before I could deck him to the ground, I opened the door of my car and went inside.
I drove away quickly, making him run to the side as I nearly hit him.
I was so mad that I needed to release the anger somewhere.
I went to a shooting range with Hiro to release the heat.
I didn’t say a word; I just kept firing the gun in rapid succession.
I was hitting the target.
“Damn, who hurt you, bro?” He asked, removing his headphones while I was putting more bullets in the magazine.
“Fucking asshole.” I kept on whispering, thinking about Villaflor.
I faced Hiro when a thought came to me.
“If I become a criminal…”
“I’ll bail you out.” He answered quickly, without even asking what I planned to do.
“What if it’s a violent crime?”
“Why?
You want to commit murder?” He asked me curiously.
“Who is it?
What did they do?” He asked a series of questions.
“Don’t tell me you’re studying law to break it…”
“No…
But I know someone like that, and it makes me so mad.
How could an evil person enter law school and not feel even the slightest guilt for doing the opposite of what they are studying?
It bothers me.”
I don’t understand him.
He could have felt remorse.
Repentance…
but he was still convincing himself that he did not hurt anyone…
that he was the victim.
I wondered how someone could go to lengths just to make themselves believe they never did something wrong.
How could someone’s ego become so large that they couldn’t even feel regret?
Was that what my father felt?
He did not feel remorse.
He did not repent.
He never apologized and never treated me better.
He never realized that what he did was wrong and that he damaged me forever.
People like those…
really existed.
_______________________
I avoided Miguel at all costs.
It was hard to resist.
I’m afraid I might not be able to control myself.
I was already gaining control of myself.
I didn’t want to lose my pace.
I didn’t want to be violent.
I’m the one avoiding it now.
“Aren’t you going to talk to her?
That’s how it is.
When they visit…
we talk to them.”
I visited my mom to ease the madness I was feeling.
Whenever I visit her, I just sit on the side and don’t talk to her.
I just thought it was useless.
She wouldn’t hear any of those anyway because she was already gone.
I just needed to feel just a bit of her presence.
I’m good with that.
I just wanted her to meet Kierra.
She had already known her ever since Kierra was a kid.
It was nice to see some old faces, right, Mom?
I wanted to say…
Mom, this is her now.
She’s with me.
I’m with her…
and we are exploring things together, trying our best to find happiness.
Soon enough, I hope we could.
Soon enough, I hope we could be free.
______________________________
“Are you okay?” She checked my forehead.
“Oh no, you have a fever!”
I had known since last night that I was running a fever; I was constantly exhausted from studying, and I hadn’t been eating or sleeping properly.
I could feel my body giving up.
She was deeply worried about the fever.
“I’m not going to die, Kierra.”
It made me laugh because the thought came into my mind.
She was so worried, like I was dying.
No, Kierra.
Not when we haven’t explored the world yet.
________________________
I stared at her while she was sleeping on the couch.
She had already fallen asleep leaning against it because she was keeping watch over me.
I woke up at midnight to drink my medicine, but I couldn’t get up since I was taking my time looking at her sweet innocent face.
“Cute.” I whispered, putting some of her hair behind her ear so I could see her better.
I let out a short laugh after combing her bangs a little with my fingers, making her furrow her brows in her sleep.
_________________________
I woke up early the next day, so Luna was the only one I found in the kitchen.
She was toasting bread and glaring at me for being sleepy, yet she still gave me one slice of the toasted bread.
I took a bite and grinned at her.
“Why did you guys break up?” I asked while fixing the couch I slept at.
“Long story.” She said, and gave me a scornful look.
“You’re a gossip.”
“Just curious.
How did this shirt fall into your hands?” I pertained to the Ateneo shirt she made me borrow.
“Does he sleep here, too?”
“Yes, and he leaves clothes behind.
Happy now?” She raised an eyebrow at me.
“You’re such a gossip.
Suit yourself.”
I laughed when she rolled her eyes, getting annoyed with me.
After fixing the couch, I asked her if she had a sticky note and a pencil so I could leave something for Kierra before I left.
“Take care of my cousin.” Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
I turned to look at Luna while writing.
She was looking away from me like she didn’t want me to read her emotions.
“She has been through so much.
Please…
be kind to her.” She added, tearing up.
I gave her a small, sincere smile.
“I promise.”
KIERRA
“Weh?
Promise that, okay!
You’re not allowed to take it back anymore!”
I was still laughing when I sat beside Mommy for the family picture.
Shan was beside me, wearing a Santa hat.
I was wearing a reindeer headband for the picture-taking.
First was formal, and the second one was wacky.
Shan pinched my jaw, so I pulled his hair.
Mommy and the others were very happy with how it turned out.
After that, it was Shan and I who took pictures beside the Christmas tree.
His hand was resting on my waist as we smiled at the camera.
“Include Kia.” My Tita said.
“Kia, come here!” Shan tapped his leg repeatedly for my Tita’s Corgi dog to come closer.
Shan carried her and put her between us, then we took a picture.
I closed my eyes and smiled, resting my head against Kia in the next picture.
Afterwards, we put a Santa hat on her.
After the picture-taking in the big villa that Daddy booked, we started eating again for lunch.
While I was getting food, Theo called me and said that he was already in the resort’s parking lot.
I went to pick him up there.
He was also carrying gifts for me, Mommy, and Daddy.
“You really went through the trouble, huh.” I told him while we were walking toward the villa.
“There are quite a lot of people because my relatives are also here.
You might be surprised.”
“That’s making me nervous.” He said and held his chest.
“Aren’t they going to kick me out?
They might judge me and say that you even brought a freeloader.”
“What are you talking about, it’s Christmas!”
When we entered the villa, Shan immediately looked toward us while carrying my little cousin and getting her some food.
His gaze shifted to the person with me before he looked away.
“Mommy, Theo is here.” I told her.
Theo did the mano gesture to Mommy and Daddy, then to my relatives.
He even handed them his gifts.
(The mano gesture is a traditional Filipino honoring custom where a younger person takes an elder’s hand and gently touches it to their own forehead as a sign of respect and a request for a blessing.)
“It’s Theo, my friend from UST!” I introduced him.
After I introduced him to the others, I had him get some food so he wouldn’t run out immediately and it would also get cold later.
He was very shy, so he only took a little, then looked for a seat.
“You can sit here.” Shan pointed to the space beside him on the couch when he noticed Theo looking around.
“Thank—” Theo stopped while sitting when he recognized who it was.
“Huh?!
Isn’t he the barista?” He whispered to me.
“Ah, Shan, this is Theo, my friend from UST.
Theo, this is Shan.” I introduced the two of them.
Shan extended his hand and smiled slightly.
Theo slowly took it and they shook hands.
He kept looking back and forth at the matching sweaters we were wearing.
“Come here, Ke.” Theo said and pointed to the space beside Shan.
“I’ll just sit here.” He smiled at me and sat in the empty seat across from us.
I sat beside Shan and placed my plate on the coffee table.
“The alcohol?” I asked Shan.
He stood up and got the alcohol from my bag before returning and placing it in my hands.
“Thank you!” I gave him a cute smile.
“Theo, do you need some alcohol?” Shan asked out of politeness when he caught him watching.
“Ah, sure, bro…” Theo held out his glass and Shan poured some.
I separated the fat from the pork and put it on Shan’s plate because I don’t eat that.
He wasn’t surprised anymore and just quietly ate.
Even the vegetables that I don’t eat, I put on his plate.
“I also don’t eat this, dummy.” Shan said to me, laughing.
He returned the vegetables to my plate and I frowned at him.
“Theo, don’t you like this?” I suddenly remembered and fed him the vegetable using my fork.
He couldn’t do anything anymore because it was already in front of him.
I smiled and returned to my seat.
“You didn’t say it was spicy, Ke!
I think you put some chili with it!” He complained to me and then looked for water.
“It’s so spicy!”
I laughed and let him drink from my glass.
“Oh, right, you don’t like chili!” I repeatedly patted his shoulder, just to comfort him.
“It’s okay, Theo… You can do it.”
When I returned to my spot, Shan had already gotten me another glass of water because mine had already gone to Theo.
“Thank you!” I smiled at him again before eating.
Because I ate so quickly, I even choked.
“Eat slowly.” Shan reminded me while gently tapping my back and making me drink water.
He was holding the glass and even wiped the water that dripped onto my chin with a tissue.
_______________________________
After eating, Shan played with my cousins.
I, on the other hand, accompanied Theo because he might feel uncomfortable around the people.
I invited him to walk around the beach for a while to get some air.
Fortunately, it was cloudy today and not hot.
It was also very windy that my hair was flying.
“You like him, right?”
I stopped walking when I heard his question.
I turned around and saw him standing beside the sea with his hands in his pockets, giving me a small smile.
“Who?
Shan?” My forehead furrowed.
When he nodded, I looked away.
I didn’t know how to answer that.
“Uh… We’re taking it slow.
You know what happened last time…” I couldn’t speak properly.
“I don’t want to rush.”
He nodded at me.
“Mm-hm… That’s actually good.
You look happy, Kierra.
I’m happy for you.
More than anything.” He smiled and slightly messed up my hair.
“Suddenly, Theo.” I teased.
He laughed and stretched his arm, then put his hands behind his head while looking at the sea.
“Looks like I lost my chance again, huh…”
“Chance for what?” I asked confusedly.
“The chance to put the smile he gives on your lips.” He squeezed my cheek while smiling at me.
“Crazy, it’s not only because of him.
I’m also happy because I’m with my family.
They make me happy.
They are my support system.” I explained to him.
“For me, Ke, it doesn’t matter who is doing that.
As long as you’re okay, I’m okay too.” He gave me a thumbs up.
“Sometimes, I can’t help but think about it, of course…”
“Thinking about what?”
“What if it were me?”
My forehead furrowed even more and I stared at him.
He also makes me happy, though!
Him and Sevi.
I’m also happy when I’m with my friends.
“Ah, nothing, just because!” He shook his head repeatedly and just laughed.
“Come on, they might already be looking for you inside… and Shan might get jealous!”
“Why would he get jealous?
It’s not like that, crazy!” I put my arm around him and pulled him down to my height.
When we arrived inside the villa, Shan was still busy playing with my cousins.
He only stopped when he saw that Theo and I had returned.
He gave us a smile and asked us if we needed anything, like water.
“Was it cold outside?” Shan asked me when we sat on the couch again.
I said it was a little because it was windy.
He then turned his gaze to Theo.
“Bro, do you play cards?”
“Ah, yeah.
What game?
Pusoy dos?” Theo came closer to play cards.
“Let’s play that with the Tito’s.
They like it too, eh.” Shan invited him to go over to Tito’s table so they could play there.
Slowly, Theo felt comfortable in the villa.
I felt relieved, so I just played Mario Kart with my cousins.
Shan and Theo got close after the game because they were the only ones who were the same age there.
The two of them even teamed up in other games and high-fived whenever they made a good move.
It got late because Theo enjoyed playing too much.
“Thank you.
I enjoyed it.
I’ll go first, Ke and Shan.” He said goodbye to us.
I smiled at him and waved.
“Take care.” Shan said.
While everyone was having fun, I went to my room first to lie down for a while because I also got tired from playing and socializing with everyone.
Shan followed me to escape from Tito and the others.
One of them was inviting him to another game.
He said his head was already hurting.
That was his excuse.
“How’s Theo?” I asked him while I was lying on the sofa and looking at the ceiling.
He was sitting on the floor with his back leaning against the other chair, also tired.
“He’s a nice guy.
He’s great.” He nodded repeatedly at me.
“Uhm…” I thought about what Theo said earlier about jealousy.
I don’t think Shan was like that.
I didn’t know how to bring up that topic.
I sat up properly so I could face him.
“Are you jealous?”
His eyebrows came together at my question, confused.
“I don’t think so… Why would you ask?” He laughed slightly.
I held back my mouth.
I was curious about what Theo said earlier about it.
It made me think about what Shan felt about it.
“Uh… earlier?”
“Huh?” He laughed briefly at my question.
“No, Kierra… He’s your friend, and I know that he’s important to you.
There’s no need for me to be jealous.”
“Hmm… What if he’s not my friend?” I lay down again and stared at the ceiling, my hands resting around my stomach as I thought.
“What if someone… like… a stranger asks for my number?” I thought of the possible scenarios.
Miguel was jealous of my friends a lot… I believed it was wrong to hang out with my friends anymore, but I couldn’t just avoid them, so I started lying.
I didn’t want to become like that again.
I didn’t want to become a liar.
“If you feel uncomfortable, I’ll step in… but if you feel okay and like the guy, that’s already your decision.
We’re not… together anyway…” His voice became quieter and he looked away from me.
Right.
I just nodded repeatedly and sat up properly again.
“Do you also want to celebrate New Year with us?” I invited him.
“I would love to.” He answered.
He stood up and took the ribbon from the side table, then sat beside me so he could tie it in my hair.
“Can I see?
Face me, please.” He said afterwards.
I turned to him so he could see how I looked with the half-ponytail he made using the ribbon.
He smiled and gently held the side of my head.
“Do I look okay?” I asked him.
“You look perfect.” He gave me a small smile.
We went out of the room again because they were starting to dance there.
Shan offered his hand so he could dance with me, along with my parents, titos, and titas.
I was giggling when he put his hands on my waist and I put mine on his shoulders.
We slow-danced to La Vie en rose.
The smile on my face widened when he tried to spin me but I went in the wrong direction, so I spun again.
He spun me again and caught me by the waist, slightly lowering himself toward me, which made both of us laugh.
My long hair almost hit the floor.
We just slow-danced to beautiful Christmas mellow songs until we got tired of it and decided to eat some desserts.
He asked me what I wanted to drink so he could prepare it for me.
I said I wanted hot chocolate.
Perfect for the marshmallows I was eating.
We decided to eat them on the balcony of my room so it would be windy and we could see the sea.
“I like holidays.
They’re peaceful and calming.
I don’t have to worry about anything…” I said to him while we were sitting on chairs beside each other.
“I like holidays with you.” He answered.
I almost choked on what I was drinking because of the surprise.
He laughed and got me a tissue from inside to wipe the little bit of hot chocolate that spilled.
“You’re doomed.
Mommy and the others are always going to invite you to come with us now.” I threatened him, but he seemed even happier about it.
______________________________
The family had already planned to go to Jeju Island to celebrate New Year.
It had been planned for a long time, so I was surprised when Mommy really invited Shan.
He didn’t have a plane ticket yet and he wasn’t included in the hotel room either.
“It’s okay, Tita.
I can just stay in Manila.” Shan refused, but Mommy shook her head because apparently he wouldn’t have anyone if he celebrated there.
“No, we already looked for tickets on the same flight.
You’re coming with us, okay?” Mommy insisted.
I put my hand to my forehead because they spent the whole day taking care of that and even arguing because Shan was extremely embarrassed while Mommy insisted because she didn’t want Shan to be alone.
They’re so chaotic.
For me, of course, it would be fun to have Shan with us.
I didn’t want him to be alone on New Year either.
So Shan and I went to Manila to get his things and also buy what he would wear because it was cold there.
“This travel wasn’t included in my plans this year…” Shan held his head.
“Mommy is really impulsive.
I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know whether to laugh at him or feel sorry for him.
He really wasn’t prepared.
“I don’t even celebrate special occasions like these…” He was still confused.
“Wow, I can’t believe I’m suddenly leaving the country with you.”
“Wait, when’s your birthday?” I asked confusedly.
“Oh, my birthday already passed last November.” My lips parted at his answer.
“I don’t like celebrating it now.
I already celebrated my birthday a lot of times during college and it tired me out.
It just went by like a normal day for me last time, aside from the cake my best friend gave me… and I was also busy with law school so…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?!
We could have celebrated it!” I said irritably to him.
“Oh, goodness… Then treat this vacation as your birthday celebration!”
“There’s nothing special with my birthday—”
“It’s special to me, okay?
Shut up already.” I put my finger on his lips to silence him.
The side of his lips rose, forming a smirk.
He playfully pouted his lips so it would look like he kissed my finger.
I lightly pinched his waist because of that.
He laughed.
___________________________
“What colors are you wearing?” He asked because he wanted to match my clothing again.
We just went shopping at the mall for the clothes he would wear because this travel was really sudden for him.
“This one, this is cute on you… Wow, you look handsome!” It was my turn to pick clothes for him.
I held them up to him to see if they would suit him and then put them in the basket if they did.
“This one too.
Wear this.
This is nice too.”
“Everything is nice, Ke.” He said sarcastically because I was putting so many things in his basket.
I laughed, so he squeezed my cheek.
“Including you.
You’re beautiful.”
“Thank you!” I put both hands on my cheeks before walking away to look for more things for him to wear.
The two of us were walking after buying, carrying the paper bags, when he suddenly stopped and quickly turned around.
“Shit.” I heard him whisper.
“What?” I looked around.
He pulled me and hid me underneath his arm.
I was still confused.
“Ha-ha!
Caught you, little fucker!” I heard a man’s voice.
His voice was low and manly.
I felt Shan turn slightly because he brought me with him.
“Leave me alone, Haze.” Even though I couldn’t see him, I could feel that Shan was irritated.
“Why, hello there… Would you mind introducing me to your date?” There was a teasing tone in the man’s voice.
“Yes, I would mind.
Get away from her.
Shoo.”
I heard another laugh before Shan and I quickly walked away.
He also let me go when we were already far enough.
“Fuck, I’ll be the next topic of the gossip.” He whispered, already worried.
We went to another mall because apparently it was dangerous for us there.
____________________________
“Why?
Am I a mistress?” I asked confusedly while we were eating.
He suddenly choked and immediately reached for the water while coughing.
“No, no, you’re not!” He immediately defended.
“I don’t entertain anyone anymore!
I’m all yours!” He quickly explained.
“All mine?” My lips parted in surprise.
“Ah, no, like…” He didn’t know how to explain it.
“You get what I mean.
It’s just you.”
I drank from the glass to hide my grin.
He looked adorable, trying to explain things without sounding too defensive.
“Hmm, okay…”
He had the things he bought sent to the laundry, and I decided to sleep at his condo instead because Luna wasn’t at our condo and I didn’t want to be left there alone.
I saw my painting beside his side table when I entered his room to get a towel.
He told me to just sleep on his bed because it was more comfortable.
He said he would sleep in the other room, but before I fell asleep, he stayed there in his room for a while because we watched a movie until I fell asleep.
I woke up late and saw that he had also gotten his clothes.
They were already arranged in his suitcase.
Mommy and the others would go straight from Bataan to the airport in Manila, and I already had my things, so I didn’t need to return to the resort anymore.
“Come on, Ke.
Get up for breakfast.” He tried to get me up from the bed, but I didn’t want to because I was too comfortable there.
He sighed and just sat at the edge.
I crawled and climbed onto his back so I wouldn’t have to walk to the dining area.
He stood up and carried me.
He made me garlic bread and juice.
“Do you want to eat rice?
I’ll cook for you.” He offered again.
I shook my head and bit the garlic bread.
That was enough for me.
“Alright.
Eat a lot, angel.
I’ll just take a shower.”
He looked like he had come from the gym, so he needed to shower again.
I quietly ate the garlic bread there while waiting for him.
I was still hugging my knees and looking at the beautiful view outside.
While waiting for him, I texted my doctor just to let her know that I was okay and doing well.
She would check up on me from time to time since I couldn’t see her in person.
“Are you done?” I put my phone down when Shan came out, freshly showered.
I nodded at him, so he cleaned up the things I had eaten.
“I’ll do it.” I immediately complained, but he didn’t agree.
“I can do it.
You can take a shower.”
I just took a shower like he said.
The flight was tomorrow, so I had another free day.
We decided to continue with our list.
His hobby was next.
He wanted to teach me how to make a latte.
____________________________
“Okay, so you get the shot…” He guided my hand.
We were still wearing aprons at Yesterday’s Coffee.
It was closed for today, so only the two of us were there.
My hair was also in pigtail braids so it wouldn’t get in the way of what I was doing.
“You pull this… No, no…”
He went behind me and helped me out.
He looked so serious and focused while I was all smiles, enjoying what I was doing even though I was doing everything wrong.
He got some milk, then wiped the small tube using a towel.
“Okay, so you have your shot.
Pour the milk into the cup.
You see, this is the kind of milk that is perfect for the latte…” He showed me the milk.
He held my hands to guide me while I poured it.
He helped me shape it into a leaf, but I failed.
“Good job!” He happily said.
I tasted the latte and was happy with the taste.
“It’s good!
I’m so good at this!” I was so proud of myself.
“Yes, you are.” He wiped the cup because some spilled.
“You did well.”
I wanted to learn how to make more drinks.
He taught me how to make an Oreo milkshake.
He also held my hand so I could spread the chocolate syrup properly on the whipped cream.
I was so happy that I posted it on my Instagram story.
My first ever Oreo milkshake!
“Okay, you’re hired.” He joked.
“Thank you, Sir.
I’m grateful for the opportunity you gave me.” I held my chest and did a curtsy.
He also baked some cookies and made me taste them.
I was sitting on top of the countertop while eating the chocolate almond cookies.
They were so good.
He was talented at so many things.
“You like it?” He stood in front of me, put his hand on my side, and held onto the countertop.
I bit the cookie I was holding as I nodded.
My eyes widened when he leaned over and took a bite from the cookie I had between my lips.
I held my chest.
My heart was beating so fast because our lips almost touched.
“Good.” He whispered before turning his back toward me to get more cookies from the oven.
“I like you… I mean, I like it too.”