Page 97 of One Golden Summer

“I love words. I say them all the time.” Saffron shuffled forward.

“You know what’s better?” Kirsty’s breath tickled Saffron’s ear.

“What?” Saffron whispered.

“This.” Kirsty pulled Saffron in for a kiss.

Saffron walked them back, pressing Kirsty against the glass of the shop. “I never thought we’d do this again.” She cupped Kirsty’s face in her hands. “I thought I’d fucked up beyond belief.”

“I believed the same—that you’d never speak to me again.” Kirsty placed a hand over Saffron’s heart. “The thought nearly killed me.”

“It’s funny. I’ve been paid so much money to say other people’s words, but when it came to that night…” Her throat thickened and it was hard to get out the rest. “I couldn’t find the ones I needed to tell you how I felt.”

“Try saying them now.” The softness in Kirsty’s eyes emboldened Saffron.

“I’m scared.” Saffron pressed her forehead to Kirsty’s. “It’s so much easier building walls then letting someone in.”

“Speaking of that.” Kirsty rolled the back of her head on the glass to the left and right. “Do you think we should take this inside? Someone might snap a photo of us?”

“Can I send it to Echo withfuck offwritten in your lipstick on it?”

“How did I miss this anger?” Kirsty’s smile had bite.

“I’m used to shutting off around others.” Saffron ran a hand in front of her face, like a curtain falling, her expression turning perfectly bland.

“Can you not do that? It’s disturbing.”

Saffron moved closer to Kirsty as if compelled. “I don’t think I can resist you anymore. You have no idea how much energy it’s taken all this time. To fight this feeling. To stop myself from getting close to you in every way.”

“Stop fighting it,” Kirsty pleaded.

“You have to as well.”

Kirsty inhaled a deep breath, her chest hitching.

Saffron clasped Kirsty’s cheeks with both hands, their mouths finding the other, Saffron’s heart flitting about as if taking a victory lap. At first, their lips were pressed together, but Saffron lost control and deepened the kiss, her arms wrapping around Kirsty.

Kirsty briefly yanked away, to fish for her keys in her bag, resuming their kiss, simultaneously attempting to put the key into the lock for the door leading to her flat.

Saffron placed her hand on Kirsty’s. “Let me help.”

The door clicked open.

Still kissing, they crossed the threshold.

“Why did we waste so much time?” Saffron asked in between kisses.

“We’re idiots?” Kirsty raked a hand through Saffron’s hair.

“Don’t hold back.” Saffron planted her lips hard onto Kirsty’s. “You have the softest lips. I can’t stop kissing you.”

“Does that mean you don’t want a glass of wine?”

“You. Want you.”

“I see words are still difficult for you.”

“Take me upstairs or we can shag here. Dealer’s choice.” Saffron growled saying she wouldn’t be able to hold back much longer.