“Ok, it’s time to come clean,” I say.
I glance at Kimberley, knowing that she’ll know where I’m going with this. She gives me a little nod, letting me know she’s good for me to tell them.
“Kimberley and I are giving things another chance.”
The table erupts with everyone having something to say about it. I hold my hands up and wait until the questions stop.
“We’re taking things slow, which is why we weren’t going to say anything yet, because we don’t want you all to make a big deal out of it.”
“If that’s what you want son, then it won’t be a big deal,” my mum says.
She beams at me as she says it and I can’t help but laugh. The whole family are obviously pleased to hear that Kimberley and I are giving things another go. And I think I’m finally ready to forgive her for the past. I look at her and she smiles at me, her face flushed, happy.
When dinner is finished, Callie gets up and offers to start the dishes. Kimberley stands up saying she’ll help her. Matt shakes his head and gets up.
“I’ll help her. You just relax Kimberley. It’s been too long since you were here, catch up with everyone. Make the most of it though. Next time you come, you’re definitely on dish washing duty.”
Kimberley laughs. We go through to the lounge where Kimberley entertains everyone with stories about the screw ups she made along the way at work before finally getting to where she is now. A lot of her stories are new to me too and I find myself relaxing and laughing along with everyone else. Matt and Callie come back in mid way through the stories.
“Does anyone want a cocktail?” mum asks.
“Not for me thanks,” Kimberley says. “I’m driving.”
“Get Sebastian to drop you off. Have a drink,” Chance says.
“I’m happy to drop you off,” I say.
Kimberley shakes her head.
“No honestly, I’m fine,” she smiles.
I decline too as I’m driving. Matt and Callie came in a cab and Chance decides to leave the car. He goes off to make drinks for everyone else. I wonder briefly if I’ve upset Kimberley somehow; she seemed so adamant she didn’t want me to drive her home. She launches into another story, and as she talks, she slips her hand into mine. Ok, I’m being paranoid. She’s not upset with me, she just doesn’t want a drink. I smile to myself. I’m acting like she’s some kind of alcoholic or something. She’s allowed to pass on a drink without me thinking I’ve somehow pissed her off.
We sit chatting for a bit longer. After a couple of hours have passed, Kimberley turns to me and smiles.
“I’m really hot. Do you fancy a bit of air?” she says.
I nod and get up and we excuse ourselves. I lead Kimberley through the conservatory and out into the back garden.
“Are you ok?” I ask her.
She smiles at me.
“Yeah,” she says. “I was just a bit hot.”
She takes my hand and we walk down the garden. The garden is big enough to get lost in. Large manicured lawns sprawl on either side of the winding path we walk down. Flower beds line it on either side and the air is alive with the scent of various flowers.
“I always loved your garden,” Kimberley smiles. “We used to spend hours out here. Do you remember?”
“I remember,” I say. “Oh my God, do you remember that night we decided to camp out here?”
Kimberley laughs.
“And it absolutely lashed down. How long did we last?”
“Less than an hour,” I laugh.
I lead Kimberley onto a small gravel path that leads off the main path and take her through the shrubbery. It opens out on a clear area with a bench and a small creek trickling by.
“Remember this place?” I smile.
“Oh how could I forget it? It was our spot,” Kimberley smiles.
We sit down on the bench, each lost in our memories. I remember Kimberley and I always used to come and sit on this bench and watch the sun go down together. We’d spend hours sitting here kissing, chatting laughing, planning our futures together.
The sun is beginning to go down now, casting long shadows over the garden, and creating a beautiful orange sky.
“I have a confession to make,” Kimberley says.
I turn to look at her. She looks so beautiful. The setting sun makes her skin glow and the yellow shirt she’s wearing makes her tan stand out.
“I wasn’t too hot. I just wanted to come down to this spot and watch the sun set,” she says.
I smile at her and then I lean in and cup her face with one hand. I push a lose strand of her hair back behind her ear and then I lean in and brush my lips against her. She shuffles closer to me and kisses me hard on the mouth. I run my hand through her hair, enjoying the silky feeling of it against my skin.
She pulls back slightly and smiles at me. I wrap my arm around her and she sits with her head on my shoulder as we watch the sun go down. I can’t stop glancing down at Kimberley as she sighs with pleasure.
It’s the perfect spot for a moment like this with the creek gently trickling by and the sun fading slowly away, making room for the night. I know that I’m falling in love with Kimberley all over again. I know I said I wanted to take things slowly, but I’m starting to regret saying that now. I just want to hold her in my arms and tell her I love her and that I never want us to be apart again.
I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from
