Page 112 of How We Began

I put my hands on my hips for the whole two seconds it took him to lean forward, grab me back towards him and meld my mouth to his in a kiss bordering on hot desperation. I sighed into it, melting into his body, exhaustion sagging my bones until I was nothing more than needy little whimpers.

“Let’s go home,” I said against his mouth, slipping off my stupid frickin’ high heels. He reached for them to carry home and then grasped my hand in his spare. As we crossed the grass, Tristan and Meredith were poking their heads out of the double doors of the bar.

Meredith gave a little whoop as they spotted me padding barefoot along the path with Ben in step at my side.

Tristan gave his slow, sarcastic clap.

I flipped him a zap sign. He’ll always be an arse.

So yeah, maybe I’m crazy, maybe I’m just taking a scalpel to my chest and slowly starting to cut my chest ready to rip my heart out in June, but it’s too late to stop now. I’ll just make sure the sutures I use to stitch myself back together are strong enough to hold me as one.

10th March

Sunday. Yes! I plan to do exactly the same as yesterday, which is nothing but be holed up in my bedroom with my boyfriend.

Yep, my boyfriend. I didn’t ever think I was going to say those words.

Boyfriend. Boyfriend. Boyfriend. Boyfriend.

Oh god, my phone! Don’t people know I am in a post-reunion sexual haze?

Oh no, it's Mr. Sleaze from Arseholes R’Us.

(A little later)

I’d just hung up as Ben came back in balancing mugs and plates of doorstep marmite toast.

“Please tell me there isn't trouble in paradise already?” He handed me my plate and pushed down his joggers before sliding back into bed, chilling my warm body with his cool skin.

“Will you come and view a flat with me today?”

He frowned and traced a hand up my thigh. “I did have other things in mind. Can’t Tristan and Meredith do it?”

“They are going to see my mum and dad.”

“When do I get to meet your parents?”

“Probably never, although through no fault of your own.”

I offered him a shrug and my very attractive scrunched up face. The McCannon parentals are very much on the Don’t Discuss List.

“Okay.” He shrugged, knowing not to push me.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me in against him. “What time is the viewing?”

“Twelve-thirty,” I mumbled as I nibbled his ear lobe.

“Excellent, no need to rush then.” He smiled as he slid himself back over me, his knee snaking between my legs, his hands sliding over my ribs.

Yep, I could definitely get used to this.

(After the viewing)

Ben and I decided to walk down to Barnes, thinking it was quite close to campus. We must have been under some sort of sex-induced delusion. It’s not that close, a good forty-minute walk. It was worth it though, when, along the muddy footpath we were sliding around in, I spotted some snowdrops.

Ben shook his head at my little ‘spring is here’ dance as I jumped up and down pointing to the delicate white flowers.

“Spring is here, Ben!” I shouted.