Coffee Cup Confessions - Trish Williford Page 0,35

the best,

Jake

Once I press Send, I feel as if I can breathe for the first time since meeting Misha. I have no guilt, no reservations, no barriers. There’s absolutely nothing holding me back from being with her in the way I’ve been imagining over the last few weeks.

I shove the phone in the bag and jump into the ocean, ready to get back to vacation.

Misha swims up to me with a cute pout. “My friends decided to move along.”

I hug her to me, and it feels so damn good to have her body against mine. “I’m sorry, but I’m glad I have your attention now.”

“Jealous of turtles?” she teases.

“Well, they were getting all my girl’s time.”

Her eyebrow quirks, and she tries not to smile. “Your girl? I thought we were taking this slow … that we were friends.” There is a teasing tone to her voice.

“We are taking this slow even though it’s so fucking painful.” My mouth covers hers, and a tiny moan escapes her throat before I pull back slightly. “But let me ask you, Misha … do your other friends know that you taste like strawberries? Do you kiss all your friends like you kiss me?”

Her eyes are full of lust, and if we were back in the room, I’m sure there wouldn’t be anything slow going on. “What does this mean?”

“I’m not calling you my friend anymore because what I feel for you is way more than that. Call it what you will, but don’t insult this by calling it friendship.”

The corners of her mouth turn upward. “Are you asking me to be your girl?”

“Maybe I am … but before I do, I want you to know one thing: I’m all in. I don’t fuck around. We can go slow, but you should know that you’re the only person I’ll be with, and I expect the same.”

She nods. She understands what I’m saying without me needing to say it. “I’m not her … I promise you that you’re it.” She wraps her arms around my neck and gives me a half-smile. “Promise, if we break up, you won’t fall in love with my sister?”

“I promise. There’s no fucking way.”

“Then, we should be good.” She kisses my cheek and then hugs me. “Thank you for today. This is seriously the best day ever.”

Couldn’t agree more.

17

Misha

Jake confirmed this afternoon that our feelings are the same, that this relationship has definitely turned into more than friendship. Being in a new relationship is fun and exciting, but all too often, people rush to get to all the firsts. I want things just to happen. No rushing. Just to have fun and take our time.

While I’m getting ready for dinner, Drew is on FaceTime. I prop my phone against the mirror while I put my makeup on.

“I’m still pissy that the turtles were all up on you. If I had been there, they would have loved me more.”

“You’re just jealous. We had a bond. You would have been chopped liver. Anyway, how are your bumps? Your face looks like you’re clearing up a little.”

He doesn’t look like a teenage boy with a bad case of acne anymore, which seems promising.

“I’m actually feeling much better. They’re not nearly as itchy as they were two days ago. Most are scabbed over. I was able to work from home today.”

“Did they exile you from the office?”

“Yep. They don’t want to scare off any customers. I’m okay with working from home in my boxers. Whatever.” He watches me finish my makeup, and when I take my hair down from my clip, he groans.

“What?”

“Please tell me you’re not going to straighten that gorgeous mane of hair. Put a little of that serum in and go natural. Jake will go crazy.”

With one look in the mirror, I nearly cringe at the thought. “Drew, my hair needs its own area code.”

“Girl, please trust me. Just the thought of it is making me half-hard.”

I scrunch my nose at my phone. “It’s only because you wish you had long, curly hair.”

“Bitch, you don’t realize how lucky you are. Do it. Pronto.”

Rolling my eyes, I decide to give it a shot. Even after straightening my hair, it turns wavy after an hour outside anyway. I fuss with my hair until I think it looks half-decent, but Drew is actually squealing.

“Oh my God, your hair looks phenomenal! The Caribbean air is so good for you!”

I laugh him off. I pick up the two dresses I’ve narrowed down to wear tonight and hold