Not interested

Part 16

'Well, actually...' I started not really sure what to say. I couldn't even decide myself if I should have stayed. But wait, why shouldn't I? 'Thank you for your offer but I unfortunately, I can't take it' I saw her smile fading and heard the steps of Alex's behind my back. I didn't know what got into me but when Karla was about to say something I added straight from the shoulder: 'I'm staying the night, that's why'.

The glance of Karla flashed surprised with the words that came out of my mouth. However, I was standing there with no shame looking at her as if I had an actual right to do so. For the first time in my life I had a courage to say what I wanted to say even if it wasn't true. Just because I wanted.

'Well... Then...' Karla started but saw Alex coming from behind my back and plastered a smile on her face. I guess, the little moment we shared was enough for her to understand that she wouldn't have stayed more. Have I really done that?

'Here it is' Alex appeared next to us and handed Karla her phone. She nodded thankfully and I saw a glimpse of perplexity on her expression. 'I guess, I'll call you later' he added simply leaving her no chance to prolong the visit.

'Yes, thank you. See you' Karla answered with a well-made polite smile and looked at me once more before going away. Her eyes were of a dark brown color but she couldn't hide the fact that she wasn't pleased by the whole situation. In the duel of glances we shared I didn't drop her gaze even though I really wanted to.

Only a moment passed and the door was closed. Karla's image vanished from the living room where we were surprisingly left for ourselves like nothing happened. And I somehow knew that that was the way things should have been.

'So' Alex pronounced cocking his eyebrow and a smug smirk made its way to his lips for the first time that evening. God, I'd missed that. 'I heard some rumors about you staying at my place for a night. And it's kind of weird because I don't remember us discussing that' his eyes played a sly game with me making me want to smile. So habitually but so nicely.

'Well, that's because the rumors lied' I answered not being able to hold my smile back.

'Oh, did they?' Alex made a skillful fake shock expression. 'I highly doubt that. I have very reliable sources, believe me' he acted his best role making an accent on the word "very".

'Then you should pick your sources carefully next time' I stated foolishly-seriously.

'My bad, then. Maybe, I really should' his smirk was smug but somehow warm and that was so unexpected after the harsh moment we'd had before that evening. It was like looking at a saving sunrise after a horrible stormy night and it felt like the phrase "I'm not interested anymore" was said hundreds of those nights ago. 'Anyways, we were in the middle of you proving something'.

'Oh, Mr Turner, this little moment with Karla is the best proof to me'.

'I think I may need another believable argument' Alex grinned shamelessly. How was it possible for a person to give you so much struggle and so much joy at the same time? How could I call that special form of affection?

'You said you wasn't interested' I teased.

'I had to provoke you. It was nice to hear the words but I needed you to make some action. And it worked, you were about to kiss me' he stated smugly looking at me attentively. Maybe, for the first time I would have liked to look at myself from his perspective. Something in that glance of Alex's was special that night and I wondered why.

'I guess, I was' I sighed deeply not loosing his glance.

And I should have been severe but I guess I didn't have any more strength to keep going. I was so tired of that game we'd playing with each other for about a month that I suddenly felt something mellowing inside me.