Page 95 of Error Handling
“I know just where to put them.”
“Where?”
Chris taps his chin. “On my kitchen table?”
“I don’t suppose we have many other options. However, if you want to install a shelf for them, call me first because I need to make sure you get it at the proper height. I cater to the needs of the vertically challenged. The world often overlooks people of my height, if you haven’t noticed.”
He looks over at me and smiles. “Not really. Sorry.”
We ride the rest of the way in silence. Once again, Chris insists I stay in the truck while he retrieves his toolbelt, but I want to place the PEZ on his table and admire it for a moment. I also intend to kiss him again, but I’m not sure how it will work logistically yet.
When we’re in his kitchen, I place the box of Handy Manny PEZ in the center of the table and stand back with my arms crossed to admire our purchase. He joins me and we stand as though we’re admiring a painting—one of Luna’s paintings, not my own.
“Perfect,” I say.
He turns to me with that look in his eyes that buckles my knees. Before I know it, he cups my face with his hands and leans over to kiss me. A very long kiss.
When we part, he wraps an arm around my back, the other under my knees, and picks me up like a newlywed carrying his wife over the threshold.
“Oh,” I say in surprise.
Chris
I set Sarah gently on the couch and we kiss again. Time becomes meaningless. Only the present matters as I enjoy our nearness. She threads her fingers through my hair, and I lean her back against the cushions. My hand moves along her neckline, but it doesn’t go any lower.
After an indeterminable amount of time, we rest—me on my back and Sarah on her side with her arm draped across my chest. I’m not sure how I ended up on this couch with her next to me. Her lips just looked so kissable as we were both standing there admiring our purchase. Instinct overrode my reason when I gathered her up in my arms. She was so light. Delicate. Perfect.
This is exactly what I’d intendednotto do.
In case this ever happens again, I need to be honest with her. She was forthcoming about her past. I ought to repay the favor.
“Sarah.” I begin tracing her fingers. “There’s something you should know about me.”
She lifts her head from my chest and meets my eyes. “Are you a werewolf?”
I laugh.
“A daywalker?” she says.
“What’s that?”
“A vampire that isn’t burned by the sun.”
“No. I’ve never drunk anyone’s blood. I have eaten a few steaks that were too rare.”
“You have parasites?”
I laugh again, and then I gently lift Sarah by the shoulders and we both sit up. “This is serious.”
“Oh, no.” Sarah’s brow furrows.
“I’m not dying or anything.”
She rests her hand on her chest and lets out a deep breath.
“You told me about the two guys you’ve kissed,” I say.
“I shouldn’t have told you that.”