Last Kiss

Nobody noticed as Kris and I made our exit.

I didn’t really expect anyone to notice or care about me, seeing as how I had known them for but a fraction of time. During this time, I wasn’t even permitted to speak. I was likely less than a blip on the radars of their minds, and I honestly couldn’t care less. The less impact this evening had on my life, the better; of that I was certain.

However, I was surprised that Kris left without a single word. He ignored Max making out with the brunette that used to be his. He bypassed Jordan, Sid, and Geno. Most unexpectedly, he walked right past Fleury without as much as a sideways glance. Absorbed in their conversations, the other guests continued talking, oblivious to Kris’s departure.

Suddenly, I remembered what Kris had said seconds before we left the sanctuary of our room: “You listened to me moan and complain about my ex, which is more than any of my friends can say.” What had he meant by that?

I wasn’t exactly sure how to ask, and I didn’t want to offend him. So, in silence, we walked through the still night air to his white Chevy pickup truck. I took a moment to survey my surroundings, inhaling a deep breath of the coolness to clear my racing thoughts.

It really was a beautiful neighborhood; the apartment complex was perched on the top of Mount Washington. The noise of the city was diminished, but the lights shone brightly through the night like distant stars. Their reflection off the rivers twinkled and shimmered brilliantly, and the gentle wind that played with the hem of my dress carried the smell of freshly cut grass. Truly, despite my terrible night, I knew that I was witnessing true beauty, and I hesitated a moment at the door of Letang’s car.

Glancing across the hood, Kris noticed my hesitation and followed my gaze to the city below. “It’s…stunning, isn’t it?” he said softly. I nodded in reply, unwilling to break the silence before he added, “I’ve been all over the world, but there’s no place quite like Pittsburgh.”

Curious, I cocked my head and glanced over at him. “What do you mean?” I queried. “Pittsburgh’s pretty…ordinary.”

A light smile played across his lips, but Kris’s eyes remained focused distantly on the city. “Pittsburgh is different. It’s almost…magical. It has this way of making your heart feel completely at home. The people make you feel like you belong. It’s a beautiful place, and there’s no other place I’d rather be.”

Frowning a little bit, I turned back to study what he was seeing. It’s true that the people of Pittsburgh were undeniably passionate, but I simply couldn’t see the magic in the city. Still, I held my tongue and let the silence wash over us like a blanket.

A few moments passed before Kris slowly turned to me. “Ready to go?” he asked, an unreadable emotion clouding his eyes.

I nodded briefly before taking one last glace over the horizon, then sliding into the black, leather interior of his car.

Kris climbed into the driver’s side and placed the key into the ignition, bringing the motor to life. The loud guitar chords of Sweet Child O’ Mine came bursting through the speakers. Cursing under his breath, Kris fiddled with a few knobs, quickly turning on the heat and turning down the music.

I couldn’t help but giggle a little at him as I lifted my chilled hands to the vent, rubbing them together in an effort to get warm. Kris noticed my actions and frowned a little before turning the vents on his side of the car in my direction.

I quickly shook my head in protest. “I’ll be fine,” I began. “It’s really not a big deal.”

Rolling his eyes a little, Kris ignored me and put his car into reverse, pulling out into the street. “I’m used to the cold. I’m kinda a hockey player, remember? Besides, you’re the guest in the car. Your comfort is paramount.”

I teasingly raised one eyebrow at him. “Paramount, huh?” I asked, struggling to keep a straight face. “Have you been learning words from Mr Harvard, Craig Adams?”

Kris’s lips upturned in an undeniable smile. “Maybe,” he said simply. “I have to learn English somewhere, eh?”

This time, it was my turn to roll my eyes. “Your English is fine, you know,” I said, turning to look out the window as the river became closer. “You might have a little accent, but you’re fluent. Promise.”

“Je pense que vous avez tort,” Kris said softly from behind me, “mais merci.”

Turning back to Kris, I coked my head quizzically. “Je pense is I think…and merci is thanks…but you lost me for the rest of that.”

Kris’s eyes flashed over to meet mine for an instant and a grin spread across his face. “I thought you were good at French?” he asked teasingly.

Shaking my head vehemently, I couldn’t help but grin back at him. “If you ever need help with Japanese or English, I’m your girl. But my French and Spanish skills are pretty limited,” I replied, “but stop changing the subject. I wanna know what you said.”

Rather than translate, Kris raised both eyebrows in surprise. “Vous parlez Japonais?” he asked with a wink, obviously reverting back to French on purpose.

Biting my lip to keep from nudging him in mock frustration, I quickly replied, “Hai, so desu.”

Kris couldn’t hide the light that shone in his eyes and he excitedly glanced at me. “Say more words?” he asked, his enthusiasm radiating off of him like a puppy. I couldn’t help but giggle at his reaction and quickly planned my next sentence.

“Uhm… Anata wa kawaii desu. Anata no kami wa subarashii desu, ” I rattled off, my cheeks turning a light pink. Luckily for me, I knew Kris had no idea that I had just called him cute and told him his hair was amazing.

“What does that mean?” Kris asked quickly, ironically reaching up his hand to brush his hair back from his eyes.

I couldn’t help the giggle that burst from my lips. “You wouldn’t tell me what you said, so why should I tell you what I said?” I rebutted cheekily.

I was rewarded with Kris sighing dramatically and shaking his head with a smile. “Alright, fair enough,” he said, putting on his turn signal and taking the next exit.

Glancing around, I instantly recognized my surroundings. We were in the heart of Pittsburgh now, and I knew we were but a few minutes from the CEC. I was surprised to feel a wave of disappointment wash over me, and I realized that I was actually having a good time with Kris. Although most of me wanted to get home and forget this night ever happened, part of me wanted to never leave.

Before I was entirely ready, Kris pulled through the gates to the parking garage, drove next to the only car left in the lot, and put his car into park.

Glancing over to the car, I quickly realized that it wasn’t mine. In fact, as I sat there staring at Violet’s car, a torrent of memories of why I hadn’t left the stupid dinner and avoided all of this mess came rushing back to me. I hadn’t driven myself to the event, and now I was going to look like an idiot trying to get into a locked car to avoid social embarrassment.

My face turned bright red, and I quickly undid my seatbelt. “Erm…thanks for the ride,” I mumbled, my thoughts completely elsewhere.

Before I quite realized what happened, Kris’s hand was lightly resting on my arm, wordlessly asking me to wait a moment. I couldn’t help but comply, letting my eyes travel up to meet his own chocolate orbs.

“Will I see you again?” he murmured very softly, his eyes burning deep into mine.

I wanted to tell him that I had inexplicably loved every moment I had spent with him this evening. I wanted to thank him for the ride and for paying for the damages. I wanted to figure out what had hurt him and why he couldn’t talk to his friends. I wanted to help him heal.

More than anything, I wanted to say yes.

“No,” I said softly, tearing my gaze from his. “I don’t think you will.”