Chapter Seven

Tara

After we got back from the cemetery, David had some work to finish up, and I decided to fit in one last round of review before my last final this morning. We retreated to our separate corners of the house, but not before David lifted me onto the kitchen island and kissed me silly, promising that there would be more time for us soon.

The next morning, we're both in the kitchen grabbing something to eat before departing for our days.

"Do you have to go?" David asks, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He drops his head on my shoulder and nuzzles my neck. "I love the way you smell. Like a field of berries bathed in sunlight."

I chuckle and turn around in his arms. He has an adorable pout that makes him look like a sulking child. I never thought a manly man like David could be so clingy and cute and I'm loving every bit of it. It feels like something has shifted between us since yesterday. He seems like an entirely different person. As I look into his eyes, I see a vulnerability that wasn't there before, a softness that contrasts with his usual stoic demeanor. It's as if we've opened up a new level of trust and intimacy and I'm enjoying every bit of it.

His arms tighten around me, pulling me closer, and I feel the warmth of his body against mine.

"I know you have your final, but how much time do you have to spare?" He says in between kisses on my neck. I smile up at him, feeling my body heating up from his suggestive tone and the feel of his body against mine. "In case you forgot, Mr. CEO, you have to work, and I HAVE to get to my very last exam…but," I continue, turning in his arms and stroking my hand up his sculpted chest, "after today, I'll be free as a bird for you."

He plants another soft kiss on my mouth, "I'd like that, little bird." The new nickname sending butterflies fluttering through my stomach.

We untangle. "You're sure you don't want me to drop you off?" He asks, grabbing my hand as he walks me towards the door.

"No, I'll be fine. See you soon!" With one last lingering glance and a squeeze of his hand, I turn and head out the door, my heart still beating wildly from the intimate moment we just shared.

***

My exam went surprisingly smoothly, and I leave the lecture hall feeling a mix of confidence and relief, glad to finally be done with my studies and ready to find my own path in the world. I am in such a good mood and know I still have a few hours before David could even think about leaving the office, so I decide to stop by my apartment and check on Emily, and maybe grab a few more things to take back to David's.

I have to admit, I was pissed at Emily after the arrest, but she came through on getting me out of jail with minimal issues. I've been neglecting her the past few days and I think it will be good for us to catch up.

"Oh my God, Tara!" Emily squeals and jumps into my arms the moment I walk into our apartment. I laugh, wrapping my arms around her. "I've missed you so much… and… I wanted to apologize for the other day, that was all my fault…" she murmurs in a muffled voice.

"I've forgiven you, Ems, you got me out, no harm no foul" I cut in, smiling at her. "It's all in the past."

"Good," she stays stepping back before lightly slapping me on the arm before yelling, "Now where the hell have you been! You've barely been responding to my texts; I was getting worried you were being held hostage or something."

"I'm sorry," I say with a soft sigh. "It's just… I felt overwhelmed having to deal with the finals and my dad's anniversary. I just needed some time to myself. It had nothing to do with the arrest or you."

Emily places a hand on a chest and lets out a huge sigh. "You don't know how relieved I am to hear that," she says then pouts playfully. "I was so scared. I thought you were breaking up with me."

"You're so dramatic," I say, shaking my head at her.

"So, where have you been staying?" Emily asks with a curious frown.

"At a family friend's house," I reply ambiguously, unsure if I want to talk about my relationship with David yet.

"Are you back for good?" Emily asks then glances down at my hand. "I don't see your overnight bag with you."

"Yeah, David…"

"David…" She drawls, wiggling her brows playfully. "Is your family friend perhaps a handsome, young man with abs to die for?"

My face explodes with heat even as I laugh. "Ems!"

"My God! You're blushing!" Emily gasps, her eyes growing wide with shock. "Does that mean I'm right? You like him, don't you?"

"Maybe I do…" I reply, pressing my lips together to hide a silly grin.

"This is big, Tara!" Emily exclaims with an excited smile. "It's the first time you're talking about liking a boy. Oh, you must tell me all about him! Is he someone I know? Does he go to our school? Is he…"

"Slow down with the questions, Ems," I say, laughing. "To answer your question; he's not some college guy but he's someone you might know."

"Really?" Emily asks eagerly then huffs impatiently. "Tell me already!"

"David Armitage," I reply, watching her face closely to see her reaction.

Emily's face lights up, she loves MicroBot and everything they have been doing to clean up our world. David is basically a god to her.

"Oh my God, T! An older man… wow. It's not weird that he was best friends with your dad?" She asks. I know she doesn't mean any harm by the question, so I answer her honestly.

"No… it's actually been nice to connect with someone who knew him well. It makes me feel less alone, especially around this time of year."

"Good. I think that's good for you, I know you're so used to carrying this grief by yourself. Just… be careful with him. I don't want you to get hurt by someone so much older than you," she says gently.

I nod, taking her warning to heart. I have a gut feeling that David would never hurt me, just based on the way that he looks at me, the way he has been holding me the last few days. But, I know that could all change on a whim, and I wouldn't want my first love to end in a heartbreak so devastating I could never move on again.

I head to my room, pack up some extra clothes and toiletries, and leave Emily with a parting hug as my mind races around my relationship ( is that what this is? ) with David. The entire cab ride back to David's house, I think about us and what we can be. I need to be honest with him, about how I want him in my life forever.