Chapter 10;
1561 Words
Talking with Troy was easy but I can feel a small panic inside me when he speaks, I don’t know if I’m scared of getting hurt or scared that he is going to get to know me and then get the chance to find someone better just like Mark did..
~
I have never been good at talking to guys. Mark is the only man I’ve ever touched, and we never flirted, so this is completely new to me.
Really new. And scary. I don’t even know how to walk normally in the same room.
I can feel the nerves taking over. What are we going to talk about?!
…
A: “Did you know that a donkey only has one baby in its entire life?”
Random information often works to start a conversation. Gramps always said that.
I’ve always loved reading random facts. I started when I was eight years old. Gramps always knew the kind of random information that made people laugh. You can see how people react—some open up and listen, others don’t care at all. I’ve never liked people who don’t care. They’re usually boring and never know how to hold a conversation.
T: “I actually knew that. But did you know they’re big as f**k? They weigh 30 kilos when they’re born!”
I was shocked that Troy knew something like that.
T: “That’s a really big baby.”
I could see Troy’s face as he imagined it.
We started laughing so loudly, I thought we might wake Annabelle. We didn’t—but it was close. Troy really surprised me by knowing that fact.
I need to check what he knows and what he doesn’t. This is fascinating.
Mark always said he was embarrassed that I loved random facts. I never really got to talk much when we were out together.
A: “Did you know that the sound a whale makes can be heard hundreds—up to a thousand—kilometers away?”
I waited to see his reaction. Did he know that?
T: “No, I didn’t know that. But did you know that an octopus has three hearts?”
WHAT?! I DIDN’T KNOW THAT!
A: “What? No, I didn’t know that! Are you 100% sure? I’ve never read about it.”
Troy started laughing proudly, like he’d just won a championship I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW WE WERE IN.
Game on, boy.
T: “Maybe you haven’t read everything.”
I could tell he was enjoying teasing me.
We both stood in the living room, unpacking some boxes.
A: “Did you know that we can smell rain before it starts raining?”
I looked at him with a cocky expression. He immediately understood—it was a competition, and I don’t lose competitions about random facts.
T: “Okay, girl, it’s on. Did you know sharks were on Earth before trees?”
What the—? Did he just make that up? I’d never heard that before.
A: “I need to check that. You can’t just say things that aren’t true. Trees have been on Earth forever.”
I could feel my bad competitiveness slipping out. I hate losing. No one likes playing games with me anymore—I get angry when I lose and cocky when I win.
T: “Check it, girl. I know I’m right.”
I love his cocky attitude. He’s testing me.
A: “Okay, Troy. Did you know humans share 60% of their DNA with bananas?”
His face showed pure confusion. He had no idea if it was true.
T: “I don’t know if I believe you. I’m not a yellow banana!”
A: “No, you’re a green one.”
It slipped out before I could stop myself.
Before I could say anything else, Troy hit me with a blanket he found in one of the boxes.
A: “A handsome green banana.”
I haven’t laughed like this in years. Troy is amazing.
He looked at me seriously, and I waited—this was the moment where I said something random he probably didn’t know.
The temperature in the room was rising. Lighting the fireplace was a good idea.
Troy pulled off his sweater. He stood there in a tight white T‑shirt clinging to his arms and back.
Wow. He takes my breath away.
And here I am, wearing pajama shorts, a flower-print shirt, a messy bun, and cozy socks. I have to laugh—I’m the definition of a cockblock.
Out of nowhere, Troy threw out another fact.
T: “Did you know the human body glows in the dark, but our eyes are too weak to see it?”
He got me.
Is he serious? I know our eyes are weaker than we think, but glowing skin?!
Fuck. f**k.
A: “I don’t believe you.”
T: “Pfff. Haven’t you read about that? What did you get in science class—C?”
He smiled and let out a slightly evil laugh. He thought he’d won.
Not on my watch.
A: “I know everything about the body, and I’ve never seen anything about skin glowing.”
He was clearly enjoying this.
Is it true?!
Should I call Gramps and ask? He’d know.
No. That’s childish.
A: “Didn’t know I picked up Mr. Know-It-All, but okay… did you know all the gold on Earth comes from stars that exploded?”
Troy stepped closer.
Fuck, what am I doing?!
T: “So if I ever got you a gold ring, it would be a star?”
Now he was on the other side of the dining table.
A: “Yes. That’s right.”
T: “Hmm. Good to know.”
What did he mean by that?
Annabelle shifted in the pile of blankets and pillows Troy had made for her. She slept peacefully.
A: “Did you know lightning is hotter than the sun?”
My nervous system went into overdrive. He was so close.
His eyes are so beautiful. I’ve never had trouble holding eye contact, but Troy stirs something inside me I’ve never felt before.
T: “Did you know lips are a chemistry test? If it’s a good match, the brain knows immediately.”
Troy slowly walked around the table.
My heart was racing. What?!
No. No. No.
Space. You need space.
A: “What if it’s bad information? The brain probably knows even before the kiss.”
Panic rushed through me like the storm outside.
T: “Let’s check.”
He placed one hand on my back and gently held my chin with the other. He pulled me closer and pressed his lips to mine.
I didn’t stand a chance.
He took it—and I’m happy—but I’m terrified.
I need space.
Just two minutes.
Space.
But God… I really need to take this chance.
I kissed him back slowly, carefully, afraid he wouldn’t like me if it was bad.
His lips were so soft. He tasted amazing. I couldn’t stop. He won—and I’m okay with that. This feels like the perfect prize for losing.
T: “You taste amazing, Al.”
He pulled me even closer. God, this man.
One of my hands went into his hair, the other to his strong arm.
One word: perfection.
His muscles were tense, and he had everything I wanted—even this beautiful little princess.
I carefully moved backward until I felt the table. I needed space. If not, I’d get hurt again.
I leaned away from the kiss. His eyes shone like the moon in the dark.
T: “What’s wrong? You don’t like it? I’m sorry.”
He looked away, and a horrible feeling washed over me. He was about to step back.
No.
A: “Kiss me, Troy. Now.”
I saw fire light up inside him—and I loved it.
He grabbed my waist and lifted me onto the table.
Oh God. Ohhh God.
His lips crashed into mine again, and I didn’t stop him. I loved it.
I wrapped my legs around him and pulled him closer. I could hear his breathing change.
This didn’t just turn me on—it turned Troy on too.
Annabelle is in the room.
I had to draw a line.
I slowed the kiss and held his beautiful face in my hands.
A: “So… what information and signals did your brain get?”
He smiled. He loved this game.
T: “My brain says the right person picked us up. And I’m so happy. You’re perfect in so many ways.”
My eyes filled with tears. I didn’t want him to see that. How embarrassing.
T: “Hey, hey… don’t cry. What’s wrong?”
He wiped my tears away with his thumbs and gently stroked my face.
How do I tell him everything? Every feeling? That I’m terrified of getting close?
A: “You asked why I moved. I got divorced and moved the same day. I bought this house spontaneously. My ex-husband cheated on me—I walked in on him at his office. And now you and Annabelle are here, and I can’t get too close. I can’t break again. I’m sorry.”
The tears ran freely down my face.
He really is perfect.
But I don’t deserve him.
- Writer
