"So, you said that we need to talk, and I think I can safely assume that it wasn't about the weather, Kevin," Laura said. "Just say what you need to say." Laura hated that she sounded bitchy about it, but she was hurting, and there was things she wanted to say to him too.
"Well," Kevin began with a sigh, "first of all, I just want to apologize to you. I--" Kevin hesitated. I've started, I can't stop now, he thought, then continued. "--I just had a lot of things to think about, and had to sort out my own feelings before talking to you again."
"I can understand that, Kevin... I've lost love before too."
Kevin was stunned and confused by her response. "Lost love?"
"I know about Linda." Kevin sighed as Laura continued. "I--I knew Misty knew something that I didn't about you, and so I pressed her all week for her to tell me. I hope you're not angry, it's just that--I just care about you so much, and I knew something was hurting you. I just wanted to understand so I could help you... be there for you..." Laura inched closer to Kevin, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Kevin, I--"
"Laura--"
Kevin and Laura both laughed as they spoke at the same time. "You first, Kevin," Laura said, smiling. Kevin smiled too, probably his first genuine smile all week. Everytime he saw Laura's smile, he loved it more and more.
"Well, I was going to say that, I may not have been completely open with you, and it's going to be hard, but I can't deny what I've been feeling since I met you. I--" Kevin searched for the words. "I--really want to, umm, what I mean is--"
Kevin was cut off by Laura. Her hand reached up and cupped the back of his neck. She leaned into him and her lips found his. Kevin was stunned, but it didn't take him long to get over his surprise. He was soon kissing Laura back with more passion then he's known in what seems like forever. Both of their lips parted as their tongues sought out each other's, and Laura ran her hands through Kevin's hair, and he did the same with his hand in her hair. Then, almost as abruptly as it had began, the kiss was broken.
"That's what I wanted to say, by the way. You were just taking too long," Laura said with a chuckle. Kevin laughed and leaned his forehead against hers. "I guess that's what I wanted to say too, just without so many words," he said and they laughed together. Kevin put his arm around Laura and they sat there like that for a minute, she lighty stroking his cheek to his neck and back up again, he stroking her hair. Laura knew what she wanted with Kevin, and she had a feeling that this was a breakthrough with him. All she needed now was to hear he felt the same way.
"So, now what? Where do we go from here?" Laura asked, still savoring the feeling of being so close to Kevin. He enjoyed being close to her too.
"Well, I think that we should just take things one step at a time. My head says go for it, but my heart's been hurt and says 'stop.' I just need to take things slowly. I just have this strong feeling that any risks I take are going to be worth it," Kevin said, kissing her forehead. His lips felt so warm on her skin.
Laura took a deep breath, almost a sigh of relief, for all she wanted for him was to try, and try it seemed he was going to do. She smiled. "I'm willing to be patient, Kevin. I'll be here for you, no matter how long it takes. I'll be your friend, your shoulder to cry on, whatever you need, as long as you let me in. Don't be afraid to tell me anything, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is. If it happens to you, it happens to me, got it?" she finished, as she grabbed his hand that was stroking her hair, and kissed his fingertips.
Kevin smiled as he felt Laura's soft lips on his fingers. "Got it!" he said, pulling her closer. Just then Misty came in with Howie as she got her things.
"Um, oh, um, sorry guys," Misty said, as she noticed how close Kevin and Laura were. "I hope we're not interrupting anything. I just came in to get my things."
"Misty... no, it's OK," Laura said, still smiling. Buck barked and Laura sat up and pet him as he sat at her feet. "You leaving?"
"Yeah, I am. Howie and I are going to go back to his place for a bit, so if Kevin doesn't mind taking you home--"
"No, that's fine," Kevin and Laura said simultaneously. All four of them laughed. "OK, obviously that's not a problem," Howie said, smiling at Kevin as if to say, "I told you so." Kevin just smiled and nodded and kissed Laura's forehead.
"OK, well, let's get going, Howie," Misty said, as they said goodbye and walked out. The door was almost shut when Misty stuck her head back in. "By the way, Laura... don't wait up for me," she said in a naughty voice, then closed the door behind her.
As soon as the door was shut, Kevin and Laura started laughing. "Well, then!" Laura said, smiling. "I know what's on her mind!" she said, still chuckling a little.
"Yeah, my thoughts exactly!" Kevin said. "Since it seems everyone's leaving, you want me to take you home?"
"Yeah, let's go," Laura said, as she, Kevin and Buck head out to Kevin's car.
"Home sweet home!" Laura said as they walked in the door. She set down her things and Kevin shut the door. "I hope you'll stay a while, Kevin," she said as he took her hand and walked her into the living room. "I planned on it," Kevin said softly as they sat down. It wasn't very long before they were chatting like they were the previous weekend. Before they knew it, it was late again.
"Wow, 3:30... I should really get going," Kevin said as he began to get up to leave. Laura reached for his arm and slid her hand down to his, grabbing it firmly. "What if you didn't go, Kevin? What if you stayed here?"
Kevin suddenly felt himself get nervous. "Well, I--" Laura noticed he seemed edgy, and felt she needed to clarify. "Oh, maybe I need to say that again. What I meant was, you could stay here. If you wanted to stay with me, fine, or you could stay in Misty's room, since she's obviously not going to use it tonight," she said with a chuckle, then continued. "Nothing has to happen, Kevin. In fact, I don't think anything should happen. I just want you to be here, that's all. I like being close to you," Laura said, as Kevin sat back down and smiled. How could he resist reasoning like that?
"OK, Laura, I'll stay," Kevin said, as they got up and headed to get ready for bed.
Laura popped her head into Misty's room to say goodnight to Kevin before heading to her own room. "Goodnight Kevin. The bathroom is at the end of the hall, and I'm just right in the next room if you need anything, OK?"
"Thanks Laura, for everything," Kevin said, walking to the doorway. He kissed her lips softly. "Goodnight," he said. Laura smiled then headed to her room. Goodnight, Kevin, she thought, as she still tasted his sweet kiss as she laid down to sleep...
