I take a step forward so our faces are just inches away. Before I think too much about what I’m doing, I stretch up on tiptoe, take Luke’s face in my hands, and plant a firm kiss on his soft lips. He doesn’t pull away; instead, he bends down slightly, low enough that I don’t have to stay on my toes. He wraps his arms tightly around my waist, and I feel his strong palms press into my lower back. My hands move to the back of his neck. I lose track of time and place and just let go and enjoy the increasingly heated kisses.
My heart races, and the thought of shedding clothing comes to mind again. I lean into Luke, and, lip-locked, the two of us stumble backward, until his back thuds into the closed front door. I smash against his chest and it feels like warm marble. He moves his hands into my hair and I breathe heavier as I keep kissing, kissing, kissing him.
The five phones connected to the landline scream in unison and scare Luke and me apart as if we’ve been caught by some chastity alarm. Realizing the source, and feeling silly both for being startled and for the hormone surge, I nervously laugh, and he joins in.
I take two steps backward, trip over my shoes, and fall to the floor, which sends me into hysterics. Unable to breathe, I roll into a ball of embarrassment, and Luke joins me on the floor, sitting at first, then lying and staring at the ceiling.
The phones finally stop ringing. I manage to compose myself.
“I love your laugh,” he says once I’ve calmed down.
“Thanks, I love to laugh,” I reply.
“I know. That’s one of my favorite things about you. Remember how spastic you were on our first date? It was cute.”
Good to know, I think to myself.
“Tell me more,” I say, as perfectly comfortable on the Persian rug as I’d be lying on a couch or a bed. We are head to head, with our bodies at angles: if someone observed us from overhead, they’d see a V.
“Mmmm, you want to know the reasons why I love you?” he asks casually, as if he’s said those words to me before. But if I’m remembering my notes correctly, this is the first time.
My heart is threatening to break free from my chest, but I present a calm exterior. “Yes, a list, if you will.”
He lets out a quiet chuckle.
“There are too many reasons to have a complete list, but I’ll name a few.”
“Please, go on,” I say, attempting to remain steady when I feel like bouncing. I hold my breath.
“Well, there’s the obvious. You’re beautiful.”
“Yes, obviously,” I reply flatly, masking the fact that my stomach just did cartwheels.
“I love your hair. This sounds crazy, but when I first saw you in that ridiculous outfit with your long red hair flying out all over the place, I just wanted to touch it. It’s soft, and it always smells good. In fact, hold on….” Luke leans over and buries his nose in my hair. He takes a deep breath, then returns to his back.
“Ah, the best,” he mutters.
“You are a total weirdo,” I joke. He ignores me.
“Let’s see… what else? I love you because you’re the type of person to befriend a new guy on his first day of school. Oh, and speaking of friends, I love that you haven’t given up on Jamie, even though she’s mad at you and not being very cool.”
“She’s worth it,” I say in her defense.
“Yeah, that’s what I mean. You’re not into cliques and all that crap. You’re mature.”
“Right. What did you say about laughing fits?”
“Well, yes, there are those. Most of the time, you’re mature.” Luke pokes me in the ribs and grins before facing the ceiling once again.
“What else?” I prompt him. “This is fun!”
“Let’s see,” Luke says, folding his left forearm behind his head. He looks to the wall where his painting leans. “I like that you don’t think it’s strange that I like to paint ears.”
“I do, a little. But I like strange,” I say. “What else?”
“I don’t know, London,” he says, rolling to his side to face me and propping his head on his hand. “I think it’s just the whole package. I can’t pick you apart. I just love all of you. I think I always have.”
I wonder what he means by “always” as he brushes my face with his hand and we are quiet for a moment. It doesn’t sit quite right, but, not wanting to ruin the moment, I say, “I love all of you, too.”