Kidnapped Love

Chapter 16

Chapter 16:

Consciousness returned to me in a gentle wave, and with it, the memories of last night's date rolled in like high tide. Derek's smile, the spark in his eyes, every moment played back in my mind, perfect frames in a film too sweet to be anything but fiction. Yet, it was real, and the thought alone painted my cheeks with warmth.

I eased out of bed, stretching languid limbs still tingling from the thrill of newfound affection. The balcony beckoned, promising a baptism of sunlight to wash away any lingering doubts. I slid open the door, stepping into a day that felt as though it had been made just for me. Salt-kissed air filled my lungs as I watched the waves perform their endless dance below, while above, gulls orchestrated a rowdy symphony. It was beautiful chaos, much like my own fluttering heart. Through it all, a laugh drifted up—an unmistakable melody that belonged to Trish. My lips curled into an involuntary smile; she was downstairs.

The wooden floorboards creaked underfoot as I descended the staircase, each step quickening with the buoyancy of post-date elation. There they were: Trish and Ron, nestled together in our sun-drenched living room that hummed with the quiet contentment of a lazy morning. Seeing them, an impulse seized me—I needed to embrace her, to physically acknowledge the way she had championed my cause in matters of the heart.

"Trish!" I called out, my voice bubbling over with excitement as I closed the gap between us. She turned, her eyes lighting up, and I enveloped her in a hug that held all the gratitude and joy I couldn't articulate. Her arms wrapped around me, equally tight.

"I have so much to tell you!" I screeched into her shoulder, the words muffled but fervent.

"I have so much to tell you!" she echoed, her voice laced with the same exuberant pitch.

We pulled back, beaming at each other like two conspirators who had successfully pulled off the greatest heist. Ron, ever the quiet observer, sat on the couch, his eyes widened as if trying to keep pace with our animated chatter. His expression—one part amusement, one part bewilderment—was a sight that only nudged our spirits higher. Here we were, three friends woven together by threads of affection, laughter, and shared secrets, ready to unravel the tales of our intertwining lives.

The brisk morning air nipped at my bare arms as I tugged Trish through the sliding door onto the patio, our feet clattering against the wood. The ocean's scent mingled with the earthy aroma of the garden as we stepped into our private haven, away from any prying ears or eyes.

"Okay, you go first. How was your date?" Trish beamed at me, her eyes shimmering with unspoken excitement, a smile so brilliant it could rival the sun's glow.

I felt a warmth spread through my chest, not just from the sun beaming down on us but from the memory of the night before. "It was amazing! We went to this beautiful little restaurant where the food was just..." I struggled for a moment, searching for a word that could encapsulate the experience, "...amazing." I repeated, hoping my tone conveyed what words couldn't. "Then we walked in the park and stumbled upon this pavilion party. We danced and laughed the whole night, and then when he kissed me at the end..." My words trailed off as I lost myself in the recollection, my heart fluttering like the wings of the butterflies around Trish's flowers.

"You kissed?!" Trish's voice shattered the calm like a dropped glass, her pitch high enough to startle the birds perched nearby. "How was it? Was he good? Was he sloppy?" Her curiosity was as relentless as the waves crashing below, eager for every juicy detail.

Laughing, I shook my head, my hair dancing in the sea breeze. "No, he was amazing," I assured her, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "I didn't want it to end."