Ch.30- After a Kiss

Gwen paced about the pier. "You kissed me. I liked it. No, I loved it. What’s wrong with me? This wasn’t in the plan. It wasn’t suppose to happen Miguel. "She rattled her arms swinging as she walked back and forth.
"Gwen stop pacing." Miguel said attempting to touch her arm, but she walked by him and he missed.
"Miguel! This wasn’t planned. We were suppose to just be having fun. Nothing like this. This changes things." She explained.
Miguel frowned. "It doesn’t have too. Look Gwen I think your great. I mean I really like you." Miguel smiled.
"My gosh. I’ve fallen for Opie Taylor. " Gwen shrieked. "Do you realize how that sounded? Like we are two kids from some old TV show? Miguel I’m a adult who will soon run a huge company. This is insane." She said throwing her arms in the air, still pacing.
"And I’m a adult too. Sure I’ll be starting back to college soon, but I’m almost 22." He reasoned.
Gwen let out a huff. "Almost 22, and that is suppose to make me feel better?" She sighed. I didn’t think this out. I just jumped in this game without thinking. You looked good, had a great body and that’s all I saw. I was acting like a" Gwen paused for a moment a horrid look on her face. "Like a man." She gasped.
Miguel couldn’t help but laugh. "Gwen you’re overreacting. It was a kiss relax."
"Relax? I can’t relax Miguel. It wasn’t just a kiss. It was the best kiss I’ve ever had."
Miguel thought for a moment before speaking. "I know I should take that as a compliment. But if it’s Ethan I’m competing with here, then why are you shocked? I mean no competition there." He smirked.
"This is no time for ego stroking Miguel." Gwen said glaring at him.
Miguel frowned. "Gwen will calm down. Look it was a kiss. I didn’t declare my undying love for you,. I kissed you because it fit the moment." He said looking at her.
Gwen appeared calmer for a moment then her eyes got large again. "You don’t have undying love for me do you?" She questioned in a her voice high.
"No Gwen. It was a kiss. A kiss between two people who are attracted to each other. Don’t make it out to be something huge. It could be the start of something. Or it could be something we just forget." Miguel sighed his hands in his pockets.
"Am I acting like a nut case?" She whimpered looking up at Miguel with sad eyes.
"Yes. Yes you are."
"Thanks for being honest." She pouted.
"What? You want me to lie? Its not my style. Are you OK with it now?" Miguel asked.
"Yeah I’ll be fine." Gwen said looking embarrassed.
"Can we just agree to take things slowly? Keep this friendship going and go from there? Miguel questioned.
"Sure. Keep things slow. That sounds good." She smiled reaching out her hand for Miguel to take. "And can you forgive me for acting like a crazy woman?" She questioned.
Miguel thought for a moment then smirked wiggling his eyebrows he looked at her. "I can forgive you for that. But the Opie Taylor remark , that will take time." He teased.
"I’m sorry. But if it makes you feel better I always thought he was cute." She laughed.
"Well I suppose." Miguel smiled. "For a kiss." He grinned.
"Don’t go there." She said looking up at him, she couldn’t help but wish he’d go there anyway.
~*~*~*~*~

Beth unlocked the door to the Book Cafe as Ethan followed behind her. Turning on the lights she looked at him. "You feel any better?" She questioned.
He hung his head. "No. I thought doing the right thing was suppose to make you feel good. So why do I feel so horrible?" He asked.
Beth shook her head. "No one ever said life was simple."
"Yeah well mine isn’t. I just lost the girl I love tonight." He pouted.
Beth looked down at him and but her hands on her hips. "Ethan, you didn’t lose Theresa tonight, You lost her the day you left years ago. Face it tonight you let go of Theresa, She didn’t let go of you. Don’t think what you did tonight will impact her and Chad. Those two are going to get together no matter what." Beth smiled.
"Thanks for putting it so nicely." Ethan said frowning.
"What? Did you expect me to sugar coat things for you? Ethan you’re a big boy, you need to just realize that and get on with your life ." Beth shrugged.
"Get on with my life? Easier said than done." Ethan pouted.
"No its pretty simple actually. You just stop feeling sorry for yourself and move on. You’re a good guy, its time for you to be happy."
"I suppose you’re right." Ethan smiled.
"I know I am." Beth teased. "I’m always right."
"Oh really?" Ethan asked with a laugh.
"Of course. And I know you’re going to be just fine Ethan. Theresa is a strong woman, she’ll be fine. Worry about you now."
"Ethan nodded. "Its just hard. Sometimes I wonder who I really am." He sighed.
"Well I don’t know you that well, but I’m going to guess you’re a smart man that can do anything he puts his mind to. So why don’t you just figure out what you want and go for it?’ Beth asked.
"Ethan smiled. "You’re pretty smart yourself Beth." Ethan complimented.
"Beth shrugged. "Yeah well I try." Beth smiled heading over to get coffee. "Tell you what, why don’t I fix us some coffee and we’ll sit down and have a friendly conversation. I bet you haven’t had one of those in awhile. "
"Ethan smiled. "No I haven’t really." Frowning he looked at Beth. "You know, you sounded just like Sheridan when you were talking to me before. She used to give me talks like that when we were younger."
Beth laughed. "Well Sheridan was a smart woman I mean she married one of the best guys in town, no in the world. So you know she was right back then and I’m right now." Beth laughed.
Ethan looked up at Beth. "Can I ask you something." He said thinking for a moment.
"Go for it." Beth smiled.
"Why didn’t we ever talk before?" He questioned.
Shrugging Beth looked timing wasn’t right I guess. "
Ethan nodded and as if he was reading her mind he spoke. "And I was a Crane for so long also right?" He grinned.
"You said it, I didn’t."
"Well no time like the present to get to know each other." Ethan said waiting for Beth answer.
"You’ve got that right." She said returning Ethan’s smile.
~*~*~*~*~

Theresa pulled away from the kiss and looked at Chad, his eyes sparkling like never before.
"I guess most people usually say hi when you open the door huh?" He laughed nervously.
"Yeah usually." Theresa said still blushing.
"Chad shrugged his shoulders flashing her his best smile. "Hi?" He laughed.
Theresa shook her head. "You’re one of a kind Chad Harris." She smiled.
"So anyway I was driving home and just had to come back. Girl I think I’ve got it bad." Chad said looking into Theresa’s eyes.
"Why don’t you come in and we’ll talk." Theresa said moving from the door. Chad walked into the living room as Theresa shut the door.
So you say you’ve got it baed." Theresa said stil feeling the rush of the kiss.
Chad took her hands into his. Resa I don’t know what’s going on with us, but its strong. Girl tell me you’ve felt it too."
"Theresa nodded sloly. "Yeah I’ve felt it. Its kinda hard to ignore.." She sighed.
"Theresa I have these feelings for you ya know? And as much as it scares me I won’t run from them. I’m not that way." Chad said brushing her cheek with his hand lightly.
"I don’t want to run either Chad. But I’m scared. You’re like my best friend, and I’ve got these kids, you have a family, and things are so messed up right now."
"I know that baby girl, but look timing may seem wrong but we can’t help that. I care about you and I wanta see where it leads. I mean if you want too." He smiled trying to remain calm. But in his head he was falling apart. Whatever Theresa decided he’d have to deal with, he just didn’t know how he’d deal with her not wanting him.
Theresa looked up at Chad her eyes searching his own. "Of course I want Chad." Looking at Chad Harris, She could see he rely cared. The way; he kissed her proved that much. But it was more than just the kiss, it was the sound of his voice and the honesty he showed her. He was someone she knew she could trust, if only she could remember just how to trust.
"So what now?" Chad laughed.
"You’re asking me?" Theresa said looking up at him. " I have no clue what to do. I’m confused about everything."
"Your confused about caring about me? " He questioned feeling his heart drop.
"No, I’m not confused there. But there are so many other things Chad. Like I said before. I don’t even have time to sleep. The kids and work take up all my time. And I do mean all of it. Do you know how hard it was for me to go out with you tonight? With Kenji in counsling that makes it even harder. Then there’s mama, I know she claims she’s doing better but she’s still so alone. I’m not sure if I even have time to make something work with you." She finished.
"Girl you done?" Chad asked with a grin. Never in his life had he saw anyone that could rattle on like Theresa , and yet everything she said made perfect sense. " So do you think I have a lot of time? Nope. I don’t. But I can figure something out. Its worth it to me. You are worth it to me." Chad explained.
Theresa blushed. "I guess I’m just scared Chad. My life has suddenly became so different and each new thing scares me." But I want this. I know that now Chad. " She smiled wiping a tear.
"Chad wrapped his arms around Theresa and brought her into a hug. "Its all going to be O.K. " He promised. "We’re going to work it all out." He sighed kissing her forehead. "You can trust me Resa."
Theresa smiled. Trust Chad. She liked the sound of that.