“I just want to leave some and take the rest home, is that okay?”
“Naturally.” I caught Nikki’s eye and saw her suppressing a smile.
We drove home and put Zoë in her bed with her kittens. She fell asleep right away and I sat down on the bed next to her for a bit.
“What would you like for dinner?” Nikki asked. “Chocolate or s’mores ice cream?”
I groaned. “I don’t think I can eat any more ice cream.”
“Now there is a something I’ve never heard before!”
I smiled at her.
“Shall I order some take out? What do you feel like?”
I stayed with Zoë for a while but then went to join Nikki in the kitchen. The living areas were still open plan as per the original building structure. The kitchen was just a corner at the end of the living area. It wasn’t exactly cozy, but I was used it. Although I wasn’t hungry after all that ice cream, I did crave something salty, and the Kung Pao Chicken was right up my alley. We drank some beer, eating in front of the TV in companionable silence. I hadn’t seen much of Nikki this past week. I’d been careful to give her space. I didn’t really know what was behind her resignation. Maybe it was me. Perhaps I was a terrible kisser. The beer must have gone straight to my head because I was thinking about actually saying this to her.
When she’d finished eating, she put her plate down but didn’t go away as I’d have expected. Instead, she leaned back.
“What a day.”
“Thanks for being there for Zoë,” I said. “I really appreciated it.”
“She’s fond of you, as am I.” That last bit had slipped out without me planning it. “I mean, I like you, obviously but…” I stopped, realizing that I was making things worse. Nikki was looking at me with raised eyebrows, an amused expression on her face.
“I know you’re leaving; I know you have to, but… I’d be lying if I said I was happy about it. I wish you’d stay,” I then said.
Nikki looked down. “I like you too, you and Zoë, but…”
“I’m a lousy kisser, right?” I don’t know what made me say that.
“What?” she stared at me.
“That’s the real reason why you’re leaving. It’s not the job or the city, it’s me.”
She laughed out loud.
“I didn’t know you had a sense of humor!”
“I didn’t either,” I said, and I didn’t, not usually. Maybe it was relief at Zoë having had the operation and all going well, all of that being behind us. Or the beer on an empty stomach, mixed with all that ice cream. I hadn’t eaten anything all day, I’d simply been too busy to think about food.
I leaned back against the couch and closed my eyes. I felt Nikki move closer and opened my eyes. She had her legs tucked up underneath her.
“It’s not because of your kissing technique,” she said with a soft smile.
“Because I could practice you know, we could practice,” I said seriously. I don’t know where this smooth guy technique was coming from, but it seemed to be working.
She was smiling at me, coming closer.
“Oh, we can practice?”
“Yes, you can show me,” I whispered as her face inched closer to mine.
We kissed and it was more intense that the last time. This time, there was no hesitating on my part. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her deeply, reaching up to hold her, my tongue looking for hers and finding it.
“Wow, that was already a big improvement.”
“Right? We just need to keep at it,” I said, pulling her closer again. She did not resist, and I felt her body lean into mine, those beautiful breasts against my chest. I wanted more but I knew this wasn’t the moment, not on the couch right there, with Zoë around the corner.