The Almost Kiss
214 Words
The storm outside had calmed into a soft drizzle by the time they left the hospital near midnight.
Adrian walked her to her car, as he always did, though neither of them ever acknowledged the routine.
Tonight felt different.
Liana leaned against her car door, rain catching the strands of her hair.
“You really saved that girl,” she murmured.
“She’s alive because of you.”
She looked down. “Adrian… I need to tell you something.”
His heart thudded. “Tell me.”
“I’m… I’m not good at this. At letting people close.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. Because you’re—”
She swallowed.
“You’re too much.”
“Too much what?” he asked softly.
“Too much to lose.”
He stepped closer.
Her breath hitched.
Rain dripped from his hair.
“Liana,” he whispered, “I’m not going anywhere.”
For a moment — a shimmering, suspended moment — she leaned into him.
He leaned down.
She lifted her face.
And then—
She froze.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, stepping away.
He exhaled slowly, pain slicing him open.
“It’s okay,” he said gently, though it wasn’t.
She got into her car.
And drove into the rain.
- Writer
