“Come along, we have a green light,” Dorian stated, digging hishands into his pockets while taking purposeful steps as theycrossed the street. Oh, what was the point? He frowned as hewalked. She obviously didn’t want to hang out with him. Not that hecould blame her. He hadn’t exactly been there for her as of late.Still, he was going to try his best to get through toher.
“What would you like?” he asked, holding the door forher.
“Hot chocolate, please.” She automatically reached for hersatchel.
“Hey, it’s on me. Go grab a table, would you?”
“Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have offered otherwise,” he said, playfully tuggingher knit hat off her head.
Becky found atable by the window. She waited and watched as snowflakes startedto fall from the sky. It was a pretty sight yet she couldn’t butshiver at the thought of the long cold winter ahead. Especiallygiven the mood around the house.
“There you go, Becky,” Dorian said, placing two hot beveragesdown on the small table.
“Thank you,” she said, noticing him glancing out the window atthe grocery store, towards the girl in the Santa hat specifically.“You should go talk to her.”
“What? Who?” Dorian said, snapping out of histhoughts.
“You know who I mean.” Becky raised an eyebrow at him andsmiled when he practically blushed. “The girl with the Santa hat. Isaw you making eyes at her.”
“Don’t be silly. Besides, what would be the point? I don’tthink I’m exactly her type,” Dorian said, almostsheepishly.
“How do you even know that without at least talking toher?”
“Look at me. Look at her. Come on, Becky. What are thechances?”
“Are you saying that you only date Goth girls?” she asked witha pensive frown.
“It’s not that I prefer Goth girls, it’s just that Goth girlsaren’t as judgemental when it comes to me.”
“I don’t think any less of you because of how youlook.”
“Yeah, well, you’re a special kind of girl.” He focused hisattention solely on Becky. “Kell’s lucky to have you. In fact, weall are.”
“Oh, please, don’t even go there. Besides, I don’t feel veryspecial,” she said, staring at her cup of frothy hotchocolate.
“You are special. We’re practically family. We hang outtogether, watch movies, read the flyers on Saturdaymornings.”
“Yeah, well, I used to enjoy all that before I realized how youall truly felt about me. I’m nothing more than a nuisance, adistraction. I thought you guys were my friends. But we’re notreally friends, are we?” She shuffled awkwardly in her seat,averting her eyes from him. “Dorian, I don’t feel comfortabletalking to you about this.”
“Becky, of course, we’re friends. I am your friend.”
“Then why… how…” she stopped, unable to form thewords.
“Speak to me, sweet baby,” he pleaded, reaching across thetable for her hand.
“I don’t feel I can be myself around you all anymore,” shesaid, wiping away a stray tear. “I’m so confused. I’m at a completeloss as to where I stand with you.”
“Listen, all you have to know is that you are wanted, you areloved and you are respected. Speaking for myself, I can promise youthat I think very highly of you and I like the way you are. I wantyou to be you. Please, don’t think that you have to change a thingabout yourself. You’re the sweetest, cutest littlehousemate….”
“But that’s just it!” she interrupted him. “I… I don’t want youto find me cute. The last thing I want is to lead you or the otherson in that way.”
“In what way?” he asked, squeezing her hand.
“You know…”
“Becky, don’t insult my intelligence,” he said, having heardenough. “I may find you attractive, and, yes, if you must know, Iwould jump at the chance to have a girl like you, but I also knowthat we are just friends. No matter how much flirting goes on inthe house, I can promise you that nothing will ever happen betweenus. That’s because I am your friend first. Besides, I know whereyour heart lies.
“Okay, Dorian,” she said with a reluctant smile. He could bequite persistent with those big blue eyes. Dorian was quite thecontradiction at times. Outwardly, he looked tough and almost mean.On the inside, he was just a big playful puppy. Even now, with hisruggedly handsome face all contorted and pleading sincerity, he wasimpossible to resist. “I believe you and I’m sorry if I hurt yourfeelings.”
“No apology necessary. I’m just glad that we’ve cleared the airbetween us. Seriously, I’ve missed your smile, your laughter aroundthe house. It’s been quieter than a crypt this last littlewhile.
“Sweet Dorian.” She turned her hand into his and gave hisfingers a reassuring squeeze. “Thank you for this.”
“Never mind all that. Just finish up your hot chocolate beforeit gets cold.”
Chapter 38
“Hey?” Beckymurmured groggily. Out cold, she was, in her own bed when she feltherself being lifted up by a pair of very strong arms. It was stilldark, probably only one or two o’clock in the morning.
“Shh,” Kelley whispered into her ear.
“Kelley… am I being abducted?” she protested weakly, hearinghim chuckle deep in his chest. Which by the way, she was presentlypressing her nose into. Oh, and another thing, the handsome Gothwore no shirt.
“Missed you in my bed,” he murmured as he lay her down underhis blanket and crawled in beside her. “That’s all.”
Becky wassuddenly quite awake and just a wee bit confused. What was heabout? Sure, he’d been hovering around her lately, staringlongingly at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.
“I didn’t think I was welcome in your bed,” she said as herolled with her so that she rested on his chest, he on his back, anarm around her middle. With his other hand, he played with herhair, looping his fingers around its locks.
“You’re always welcome to share my bed, love,” he said huskily.Running his fingers along the curve of her face, he turned her chinup towards him. He bent his head and kissed her softly. He’d missedher. Everything about her, her lips, her smiles, hersighs…
“Becky, I’ve been such an ass.”
“Yes,
