Page 19

Chapter 19

Graham

I spent the last few days sick. Not like death’s door sick, but I didn’t go to school and told Julia to steer clear which means I haven't seen her since we watched Pride and Prejudice . We’ve texted GIFs and ridiculous memes back and forth, but nothing of real substance. Nathan mentioned that she’s been spending a lot of her time at the fifty-five plus community down the street. I didn’t know that she knew anyone there, but maybe she adopted a grandma? I’ve heard that’s a pretty cool experience.

I’m finally feeling healthy again, and I need to see Julia. Need. It sounds dramatic but so am I, so there’s that. I grab the list from my desk, scanning it quickly, trying to see if there is anything I can pull off tonight. Perfect. Make cookies during a storm. This one is tough on a tight timeline, but Aunty Theresa texted me last week to tell me we should watch a storm movie while making cookies. Genius. I love having so many people on my team. I wait until I hear their car pull up before I pull out my phone.

Graham

Hey! I miss you. Let’s hang out?

Julia

And do what?

Graham

Cookies and a movie??

Julia

Mm, I love cookies. My friend gave me a bunch. We can just eat those.

Graham

… Let's make them. More fun.

Julia

I guess that’s okay. What movie? Can I pick?

Graham

Nope. We are watching a very specific movie and making very delicious chocolate chip cookies to fulfill a very important task on The List. Plus, I want to hang out with you so I am bribing you with said cookies and Glen Powell.

Julia

Glen Powell? Cookies? The List?

ARE WE GOING TO MAKE COOKIES AND WATCH TWISTERS!!! You know me so well. I just got home from a run. Let me shower but I’ll hurry.

***

I run around the kitchen, trying to get all of the ingredients ready for cookies. Mom came downstairs for a minute but went to hide in her room because my “frantic energy was stressing her out.” I check the recipe on the back of the chocolate chips for the hundredth time, which is embarrassing because there are only like eight ingredients. I walk into the dining room to check my appearance in the oversized mirror Mom put on the wall over the table. I take off my hat, see my unruly hair, and decide to put it back on. Mom showed me a video on Instagram once about how women love backward hats. I hope that’s true, and that it’s not just moms. I lean close to the mirror to check my teeth when the front door opens. I jump back, hitting my butt on the edge of the dining room table. I howl, more in shock than pain, and jump a little, holding my butt. Julia gives me a confused glance before walking over to me.

“Are you okay?” she asks hesitantly.

“I’m so good. Just doing a little dance. I always do this before making cookies,” I say, still half howling.

“That’s a strange tradition, but if the cookies are good, I won’t judge. Should we?” She gestures towards the kitchen.

“Yeah, just let me grab my laptop. We can start the movie while we’re mixing the dough.”

“It doesn’t take that long; let’s just talk.” She reaches forward to grab my hand, pulling me behind her. Do guys get butterflies? Is there a more manly way to say that I have butterflies taking off in my stomach? Eagles? Pteranodons? Whatever they are, they are there and it is all because of Julia’s hand in mine.

I squeeze her hand. “So, what have you been up to this week? It feels like it's been forever since I've seen you. Or even talked to you.”

“I’ve been hanging out with Mabel. I met her when I was running in her community a few weeks ago, and she’s so fun. A little spunky but not too much. She used to be a voice teacher, and she has some really cool stories. Plus, she’s made me cookies twice.”

“A voice teacher? Like a singing coach?”

“Yes! I’ve been singing for her a little, and I think she’s been really helpful. There’s a variety show at her clubhouse next week, and I’m thinking about signing up. Is that stupid?” I go through quite the rollercoaster of emotions here—first, jealousy that Julia won’t sing for me, then happiness that Julia is getting help, and finally, excitement. She’s going to sing in public? I can totally be there. I don’t even care what else is going on that night.

“Not stupid at all! When is it? Can I come? Please,” I beg, dumping the sugar into the mixing bowl.

“Uhm. Yes. But let’s not tell everyone, k? It's one thing to sing for a room full of old people, an entirely different thing to sing for people I know and will see again. And that can actually hear me.”

“You’re going to tell your parents, right? And Chloe and Nathan? Probably Josie? That’s not too many. We can keep it a secret from my parents. Could you imagine my dad? He’d be so loud, it would terrify the old people.”

“Well, I’m not going to tell anyone else. But I suppose if a little birdie lets four, maybe five, people know, I wouldn’t be too upset about it.” Julia finishes mixing the cookie dough and starts scooping dough onto the cookie sheet.

“How are you done already? This would’ve taken me at least twenty minutes if I was doing it alone.”

“It’s just cookies, Graham. Don’t be so impressed. Remember, it’s the only thing I can make without screwing up.”

“I’m always impressed by you,” I say under my breath. Julia whips her head around to stare at me. Well, crap . She heard me. It’s not like I’ve never said anything like that before, but I try to be careful about how often. She knows I like her, but I don’t want to overwhelm her. Actually, that’s not true. I want to flood her with notes, flowers, compliments, hugs, and kisses. I want her to not doubt how I feel about her. I want her to know that, outside of my family, she is the most important person in my world. So, I take back that well, crap . I meant it. I probably won’t flood her with affection the way I want, but closer to a waterfall than a trickle would be okay. I reach over and grab her hand and watch her eyes soften. She bites her bottom lip, and I hold in a groan. Can today be the day? I’d really like to kiss this girl. We spend the next few minutes trying to clean up, each of us one-handed. It’s not even close to being effective, but it’s the best time I’ve ever had cleaning the kitchen. The timer goes off and we pull the cookies out, deciding that twelve is enough for now, and cover the rest of the dough. Julia grabs a plate and moves the cookies from the pan.

“Graham. Can you get us some milk? Fresh cookies and cold milk is the food of the gods.”

I laugh at her before grabbing one big cup for us to share. Because I want us to be the couple that shares. This is a great time to test it out.

Julia is sitting on the couch with a large blanket draped over her lap, large enough to share. I typically run hot, and while I’m no genius like Nate, I’m not an idiot either. I recognize an invitation when I see one. I grab the remote before cuddling up next to her. I scroll through the million streaming services we have until I find Twisters . I shift around, trying to get comfortable as close to her as I can. She looks at me with a smirk on her lips, and I go for it. I set the milk on the console table and wrap my arm around her, pulling her in, nice and snug. I use my other hand to hold hers, and rest my head on hers. We stay in this position for a while, randomly laughing or gasping whenever the movie calls for a reaction. When Glen Powell first shows up on the screen, I tickle Julia’s side, knowing she loves him. It’s not great for my ego. Being Hawaiian, I look pretty opposite of him, but I also know that Julia is attracted to me. I like to think I notice everything about her, including how her eyes dilate and her cheeks flush when she isn’t expecting to see me. She leans her head back to say something to me but stops short when we make eye contact. I’m not exactly sure what she sees in my eyes, but if they’re telling the same story my thoughts are telling, she knows I want to kiss her. I let go of her hand and tuck an unruly curl behind her ear. She takes a deep breath, and my hand lingers on her cheek. My thumb, almost on its own, gently strokes the edge of her mouth. Her lips part, and I know this is my moment. I thought I’d known it before, but this time I really know. I lean forward slowly and watch her eyes flutter closed, before letting mine do the same. My lips barely brush hers when her cell phone chirps. I let my forehead drop to hers and let out a hearty groan.

“Seriously,” she mumbles, going to check her phone.

No. Not this time.

“Julia,” I say, before lowering my lips to hers as she turns to look at me. The moment is gone, but I don’t care. I’m making my own moment. She freezes for a second, obviously not expecting me to kiss her. It doesn’t take long for her lips to soften and start to move with mine. I’ve kissed one or two other girls before, when I was convinced Julia would never come around, but never quite like this. My arm is still around her, and she reaches up to hold my hand, her other arm curving around my back. We kiss for a few minutes, giving and taking, our entire focus on only each other. Her lips are soft under mine, and I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy. Her phone chirps two more times before she pulls away, biting her swollen lip.

“I should probably check that,” she whispers.

“You could. Or we could kiss some more. We have options.”

“Graham,” Julia giggles, pushing my shoulder back but not actually moving away from me. She grabs her phone, checking her notifications. “It’s from Nathan. Chloe is at my house with Josie, and they want to know what we’re doing and if we want to hang out.”

“Here, I’ll text back.” I grab the phone and text using just one hand, not willing to let go of her, a small smile on my face. I let the smile spread before setting the phone face down on her lap.

“What did you say?” Julia grabs the phone.

***

Julia

I have three new texts from Chloe that are all in capital letters asking about a kiss. I glance at Graham, a big smile on his face, before I open the text with Nathan.

Julia

We’re watching a movie at Graham’s house. You are welcome to come but be prepared, there will be cuddling and maybe a kiss or two. ;)

Nathan

Pass. Thanks for heads up, Graham. Although I’m not sure how comfortable I am with you two being the type of couple that uses each other's phones interchangeably.

Julia

You should come. There will be no more kissing.

in front of you.

Another text pops up almost immediately.

Chloe

MORE?!

Julia

What? Oh my gosh. Are you with Nate?

Chloe

I am reading everything you say over his shoulder. More kissing? Implying there was some kissing? I need all the details. I’m a little offended you told Nathan before you told me, honestly.

Julia

Technically, Graham told Nathan, not me. Let’s get ready for Halloween together tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything. Miss Mabel asked me to bring a friend over and help pass out candy at her house. Wanna come? We can go to the haunted house with the guys after.

Chloe

Count me in.

I switched back to my text with Nathan.

Nathan

No more kissing? How about cuddling?

Julia

I make no promises. Get over here.

Right as I press send, I hear the front door open.

“This is your twenty second warning to make yourself brother-in-the-room acceptable,” Nathan yells out.

“Why are your eyes closed? There’s a wall between us and the TV. Oo, do I smell cookies?” I can hear Chloe’s footsteps leading into the kitchen.

“Nate. Open your eyes. It’ll be okay, I promise.” And that’s Josie. The gang’s all here.

“Graham. Let’s talk later, k?” I ask, willing my eyes to not drift down to his lips.

“Absolutely.” Graham leans back and wraps his arm around me. They all pile on the couch, and we watch terrifying storms play out on screen. They don’t know how nervous storms make me, even on TV, but they are all doing a great job distracting me, making little comments and singing along with the awesome soundtrack. The entire time, Graham keeps his arm tucked around me, lightly playing with my hair. It’s a dream. I let myself relax into him completely and I make eye contact with Chloe. She has a smug look on her face, and pulls out her cell phone. My phone dings a second later.

Chloe

Me and you, sleepover tonight. I know I said tomorrow but this is already too good. I can’t wait for the details!

“Yes, it is already too good,” Graham whispers, before pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“Hey! You promised no kissing!” Nathan yells, contorting himself to kick Graham in the shin.