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Andy let out a long groan. “Don’t get me started! Do you know how much electromagnetism is around us all the time? Craploads of it! Especially in an old building with ancient wiring. An electric current creates an electromagnetic field, especially when appliances are turned out. The number of ghost hunters who go out and wave an EM detector around while pretending it’s science…”
I squeezed myself closer to his body as we stopped at another intersection. “Sorry for getting you wound up.”
“You haven’t even seen me wound up. When Ryan watches Seatbelt Psychic and Haunted History I have to hide in my room and put headphones on.”
“I promise never to turn any of those shows on in your presence.” I paused for a strategic amount of time. “Bigfoot is totally real though, right?”
I laughed loudly as Andy went on another tirade about how Bigfoot was a fake marketing ploy to get people to vacation in the Pacific Northwest, which segued into a rant about the Loch Ness Monster.
“The lakes in northern Scotland are the most boring in the world, but after that falsified photograph it’s one of the largest tourist spots in the United Kingdom,” Andy was saying when a peal of thunder split the night.
I glanced at the sky. “Was that…”
The sky erupted moments later in a downpour of rain. We were in an area with no public shops we could dart into, so we took off running north along with the other pedestrians caught without umbrellas. I couldn’t run very fast in my heels, and Andy was gentleman enough to stay with me even though he could’ve left me in the dust.
We made it three blocks before reaching a corner store. It was closed, but there was an overhang that protected us from most of the rain, except for an occasional flurry that blew sideways into us from the cross-draft. Both of us breathed heavily with effort.
“This is like the storms we got back in Florida. They come on suddenly, but leave just as fast.” Andy’s glasses were covered with raindrops as he turned to me. “Sorry our date ended like this.”
I considered making a joke about how my favorite dates ended with me dripping wet, but Andy didn’t seem like the kind of guy to appreciate the dirty joke. “Why are you apologizing? It was my fault for insisting we walk.”
He nodded emphatically. “I wasn’t going to be a dick about it, but it is your fault.” He stuck out his hand. “The date is officially ruined. I’d like my priceless necklace back.”
I gasped and leaned away from him, clutching my necklace protectively. He grinned.
“I think that’s the first joke I’ve heard you make,” I said, hand still on my necklace.
“I’m good for one joke every month or two.” He glanced at his Apple watch. “Better set a reminder to tell another one in eight weeks…”
He grinned, which lit up his handsome face. His eyes sparkled like the fake emerald around my neck, accentuated by the droplets on his glasses. His blond hair was dark with moisture, but that only seemed to make his cheekbones stand out.
And before I knew what I was doing, I was kissing him. It was the perfect moment because he leaned in to meet me halfway, holding me close against his warm body and wrapping his coat around me. It wasn’t the most passionate kiss, but it was warm and comforting and felt perfect in the moment. Natural, and exciting.
I was tempted to open my mouth for his tongue, but instead I slowly pulled away. “I had fun tonight,” I whispered as the rain pattered all around us.
“Me too.”
“Sorry to jump to the goodnight kiss early,” I said, still held close against his body. “It felt right.”
He chuckled, a deep vibration I felt in my chest. “Honestly, I was planning on kissing you on the cheek. This was better.”
I playfully slapped his arm. “A kiss on the cheek? Pervert.”
“You should see the hugs I give. They’re downright scandalous.”
I cocked my head to look up at him. “Why, Andy. I think that’s two jokes in one night.”
He smiled back at me. “Don’t tell the others. I’m supposed to be the serious one of the group.”
27
Nadia
We waited until the downpour changed to a light drizzle, then speed-walked the rest of the way home while holding hands. My hair was beginning to dry by the time we walked up the stone steps into the townhouse. Andy reached for the door.
“What, no kiss on the cheek?” I asked innocently.
He grinned. “I don’t want to get called a pervert again.”
