Page 38 of Common People

‘You go,’ said Hope, and Dawn followed the woman, and everyone else fell into hugs and there were more tears. ‘He’s going to be all right. Thanks, it seems, to you Charlie.’

‘I’m just glad he’s OK. I thought we’d lost the big man for a moment,’ replied Charlie.

‘I need to get some fresh air,’ said Bethan, who turned around and walked out.

‘I’ll make sure she’s OK,’ said Max, before he walked out of the waiting room, following Bethan outside. It was still light out, a clear, warm evening in South West London, and Bethan stood and took a deep breath before she let it out in a slow steady stream. Max walked out and stood in front of her.

‘You OK?’ he asked, and she looked at him, her eyes searching his. Then she stepped a little closer until she was right in front of him, and Max felt his whole body stiffen up slightly. His heart raced with Bethan being so close to him. She still hadn’t said a word, and then she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his, his arms automatically going around herwaist and hers around his. The pressure became a little stronger, small adjustments happened as they kissed outside the hospital. It was a strange, surreal moment, but one that Max had hoped for almost from the day he’d met her. It was an incredible kiss, and after the emotion of the day, it felt like the perfect end. Just holding her body, feeling her soft lips on his, it sent a myriad of feelings and emotions shooting through his mind and body. A kiss had never felt more right, more perfect, and he didn’t want it to end, but it did. Bethan pulled away, and then she looked at Max.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, and then she turned around and dashed away, leaving Max standing there, wondering what the hell had just happened, and perhaps more importantly, what would happen next?

The sweetest thing

Bethan had agreed to meet Max at Buddy’s Deli in Clapham on Saturday morning. They needed to talk about what had happened, and they were also going to meet everyone else after and visit Joe in hospital. Joe was still recuperating, but was in a stable condition and doing well considering. Max was nervous to see Bethan again, but excited at the possibility of it. They had kissed, and it was the most incredible, wonderful kiss of his life. It had happened, and there was no getting away from the fact that they had something special. The connection between them was so strong, it had even surprised him when their lips came together. He felt the energy of their attraction coursing through his body like an electric shock. You couldn’t fake something like that and you couldn’t ignore it either. Although as he approached Buddy’s Deli and saw Bethan waiting for him outside, he did wonder what she was going to say about it. Did she feel the same as him? It was her, after all, who had kissed him. Surely that meant something, right?

‘Hi, how are you?’ said Max.

‘Yeah, good. I really need my caffeine fix.’

‘Then head on in,’ he replied and she smiled at him, and it wasn’t quite as awkward as he thought it might be. There was definitely tension between them, but that was to be expected after everything that had happened, but the overall feeling he had as they walked inside to get coffee was one of excitement. He just loved being with her, and just the fact they had kissed, only made him want her more.

They ordered, and as it was such a nice day, they sat outside on one of the tables in front of the cafe. Max ordered his usual flat white, while Bethan had gone for an oat latte. They sat down, and looked across the table at each other.

‘Bethan, the other day was incredible,’ said Max, who wanted to get his thoughts in quickly before she had the chance to tell him her side of the story. ‘I know it was an emotional time, what with Joe and being at hospital, but when we kissed, I felt the magic. It was incredible, and I don’t know how you feel about it, but I just want you to know that it meant everything to me.’

Max looked at Bethan, and clearly she was conflicted because the expression on her face was one of confusion, or perhaps concern. It was hard to tell, but she definitely wasn’t about to tell him that she felt exactly the same. She didn’t look relaxed or excited, just worried. Max took a sip of his flat white, and waited nervously for her to reply.

‘Max,’ said Bethan finally. ‘I agree, it was an amazing kiss, but honestly, I don’t know why I kissed you like that. It isn’t like me at all, and maybe it was the emotion of being there and what had happened with Joe, but I’m sorry if it gave you the wrong idea. I’m still not ready for a relationship.’

‘But it was incredible, Bethan. It was the single greatest kiss of my life.’

‘I know, Max, but do you want to know the feeling I had straight afterwards? Guilt. I felt like I was cheating on Jake, which I know is crazy because he’s been gone for a year, but clearly I’m not ready for this. I’m sorry if I got your hopes up, but it can’t be anything else right now.’

‘Then I’ll wait.’

‘Sorry, what?’

‘I’ll wait until you’re ready.’

‘But what about Emma? I thought you were seeing her again, or something.’

Max hadn’t had the chance to tell her about Emma, and about what had happened between them. He explained to her that Emma had told him she wanted to try again, to give them another go, but that he couldn't because he liked someone else, and that someone else was her.

‘I understand that you aren’t ready, Bethan, but I’ll wait for you. I want to wait for you.’

‘But I don’t know how long it will be. It could be another year, or more. I don’t want you putting your life on hold for me. It isn’t fair, and I don’t want that responsibility.’

‘But don’t you see,’ said Max, a sudden energy in his voice. ‘I want to wait because I know you’re worth it. That kiss was worth waiting for, and if I have to wait a year for another kiss like that, I will.’

Bethan left a pause, and then she said. ‘But what if I’m never ready, Max? What if you and I are just not meant to be, and you’ve spent a year waiting for me and it doesn’t happen? What then? You’ll just end up resenting me. I don’t want that. I don’t want you hating me—’

‘I could never hate you, Bethan.’

‘You say that now, but maybe in time you will. Max, I know the kiss was amazing, but the truth is, I wish I hadn’t done it because I’m not ready for any of this.’

The words crushed Max. She wished she hadn’t kissed him. It was one of the greatest single moments in his life, and she wished it hadn't happened. He understood that she wasn’t ready for a relationship, and needed time to get over Jake, but he couldn’t get onboard with wishing it hadn’t even happened.

‘I’m glad it happened, Bethan, but I understand, and like I said, I’ll wait.’