Starting Over (Unexpected Encounters part 3)

Chapter 30

We walked across the street and started down the quiet paved path that went through the park. I didn't even know where to begin, so I tried to make small talk first.

"So everything is good with you and Tucker?" I asked.

"Um, yeah I guess," she shrugged, "we haven't really talked much for a while, but it was nice of him to come over."

"Obviously I don't know him very well," I said, "but I was kind of surprised by all of that."

"You're right to be surprised," she said, "I was too, definitely wasn't expecting it."

"Well either way, I'm glad you two worked things out," I told her.

"Me too," she said, "at least I think I am."

"At least one person in my family hasn't completely shut me out," she continued.

I glanced over at her and watched as she fidgeted with her hands. I still couldn't believe that her parents were doing this to her, and it still broke my heart.

We walked for a while longer in silence, and a bench along the path caught my eye. We were both still in our work clothes, and neither of us exactly had on ideal walking shoes.

"Do you want to sit?" I asked as I nodded towards it.

"Yes please," she nodded.

There was a definite uncomfortable air between us, and I wasn't sure how to address it.

"So last night -"

"Bailey listen -"

We both tried to start the conversation at the same time.

"Go ahead," Whitney laughed.

Before I could talk again, I felt small raindrops on the top of my head, that quickly turned into bigger ones.

"Great," Whitney mumbled.

The rain started to pick up, and she stood up from the bench and started to walk towards the nearest shelter she could find.

"Whit hold on," I said as I jumped up after her.

I reached out and grabbed on to her hand, pulling her back towards me. Her momentum carried her body closer to mine than I had intended, and I wasn't mad about it.

"It's just a little rain," I grinned, "you're not going to melt."

"You really want to stand here in the pouring rain and talk?" She asked as she blinked the water out of her eyes.

I shrugged in response as I laced my fingers with hers and smiled.

I hesitantly brought my free hand up and rested it on the side of her neck, my thumb trailing along her jaw. I still had no idea if this is what she wanted, but I had to find out.

She glanced down at my hand and then back up at me as I moved in closer.

"Bailey," she said quietly, "we can't do this."

"Why not?" I asked, staying as close to her as I could.

She brushed a wet piece of hair out of her face and shook her head.

"I can't - I can't go through this again with you," she said, "it's too hard, after what happened last time I..."

She trailed off as she struggled to find her words, but she didn't pull away.

"Whit you know that it'll be different this time," I said intently, "I know that you can see that I've changed."

She sighed as she looked at me and shook her head again.

"I - I know that you have," she said, "but I still can't put myself through this."

"You won't be putting yourself through anything," I told her as I leaned in and rested my forehead against hers, "you have to trust me, please."

She squeezed her eyes shut as we stood there and continued to let the rain pour down over top of us. I was getting absolutely soaked, but I didn't care.

I needed this to happen, and I was going to do whatever it took to get there.

When she opened her eyes again, her gaze burned into mine. She let her hand fall from my grip before she reached up and grabbed on to my face, pulling me into the kiss that I'd been desperate for for months.

It was full of all of the want and feelings that had been building up between us.

I slid my hand around to the back of her neck and tangled my fingers in her hair. I couldn't get enough of her, and if I could've ripped her clothes off right here in the middle of the park, I sure as hell would have.

She tightened her grip on me as her tongue tangled with mine, and I pushed my hips against her. I'm not sure how long the kiss would have gone on for if a loud clap of thunder hadn't scared the shit out of both of us.

"Fuck," Whitney said as she jumped back.

I put my head down and laughed, still holding on tightly to her.

"Okay now I'm ready to get out of the rain," I said, "come on."

I grabbed her hand and led us towards the edge of the park at a near run as we tried to escape the storm.

"We're going the opposite way of my car," she said, "where are you going?"

"My apartment is right up here," I said as I nodded towards it, "this is closer."

We made it to the parking lot and inside the entrance of the building, and we both stopped to catch our breath.

"I'm fucking soaked," Whitney sighed.

I took one glance at her and quickly grabbed her by the hips, pulling her body against mine.

She shrieked and started to laugh as the water dripped on to the floor beneath us.

"Sorry," I grinned, "I couldn't help myself."

I leaned in and kissed her before she could respond, and I never wanted to stop. We heard the doors open a moment later, and I reluctantly pulled back.

"You know you're not going to get rid of me now, right?" I asked.

"Yeah I had kind of gathered that," she teased, "I'm not sure how I feel about it yet."

We spoke quietly as a few people shuffled in past us. When they were out of sight, I quickly kissed her again.

"I'll make sure you don't regret your decision," I told her, "don't worry."

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