"Hi!" I said excitedly jumping into his arms.
He wrapped his muscular arms around me, grasping my waist firmly and muttered his reply into the side of my neck.
Almost reluctantly we pulled away and I took a quick glance at him.
He looked good. Too good. Almost distracted from the semi-fitted shirt against his smooth skin, his voice pulled me out of my thoughts, "How have you been?"
I finally looked into his chocolate brown eyes, smiling before answering, "I've actually been good, there's been a whole lot going on but it's been ok, can't complain."
He smiled wrapping his arm around my waist as we began to walk aimlessly.
He pulled me into his body as I began to detail about my summer and what I've been doing. He looked down occasionally at my face as I talked, intently listening and rubbing small circles with his thumb on my waist.
I paused finally, placing my hand on his chest to get his attention, "So what have you been up to Adrian?"
"I've been good, I'll tell you all about it when we go inside." He said smiling, looking down at me.
I looked around, finally noticing our surroundings. Outside of a small lounge bar. I looked back at him and said, "I'd love to hear all about it."
"After you m'lady." he gestured towards the door now opened for me to walk towards.
It didn't take long to find our seats, and when we did, he launched into his own reflection of his day and what he's been doing. I listened intently, nodding my head a few times.
He stopped abruptly, "Sorry, do you want to order anything?"
I laughed noticing the concerned look on his face, "No, not at all! I'm good."
I noticed the breath of relief he made and he smiled and continued on the rest of the story. The rest of the night we went back and forth talking about the most random things. Our conversations always ended up like this. From the most basic questions to 'if you have 1 million dollars, what would you do?' I loved our talks and even more so him. Wait. I loved him. I loved him?
He must have noticed my eyebrows creasing upon my internal monologue and he reached over to press his thumb between my eyebrows. "What's wrong?" My heart pounded not only from the sudden physical contact but the realization I just encountered.
Before I could answer someone came over to our table to ask us a question, "Hey y'all, we're hosting a game of truth or dare, would y'all like to join?"
I looked at Adrian and he shrugged his shoulders indifferently, "I don't mind."
I turned towards the girl, now reading the name tag, "Leslie, thank you for inviting us, we can definitely join!"
"Okie dokie, sounds good! Please join us at the back here, we just started!" Leslie directed us towards the back of the room and we sat down at the empty seats left at the table.
"Y'all just in time! You're next!" A guy said, pulling a card.
"You have to sit on a guy's lap of your choice for as long as we say so." He read off the card.
Before I could look around at the potential list of candidates, Adrian stood up quickly saying, "I volunteer."
I immediately felt hot all over as I heard the hoots and chants start as we began to stand up from the table.
"Over here!" Someone directed us into a small private room with another chair.
"Someone start the timer!" another person said.
Hoot and chants erupted as the closed the door behind them, leaving us to ourselves.
I could barely look at him as I noticed the loveseat chair in the corner.
"So...we don't have to do this you know." he said, scratching the back of his head.
I finally looked at him, noticing he looked just as nervous as I did. I found small solace in this and replied, "No I do, with you."
He turned his eyes towards me, a small smirk on his face. I then realized what I just said and hurriedly corrected, "I mean, no I mean like...nevermind just get on the chair already."
He raised his hands going to sit down in the chair. I watched as he sat down, rubbing his hands on his pants.
"Well come here, what are you waiting for." His voice was low, almost a whisper as we watched me walk towards him.
I placed my bag on the nearby table, crossing my hand behind my back and standing before him.
I then reached to grab his shoulder, before someone burst in.
"Hey, she hasn't started yet! Restart the timer!" They left as quickly as they came with more hoots and shouts coming from behind the door as it closed.
Again, we were left in silence and I looked down at him again.
I finally lifted my leg up onto the couch, his arm quickly reaching behind my calf to support me, pulling me even closer until I sat comfortably in his lap and my arm wrapped around his neck.
I quickly hid my face in his shoulder, his body rocking with laughter.
We sat in silence for a moment and I began to realize the vulnerable position we were in.
His arms were wrapped around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. The peace and calm I felt in just being held by him - I could feel my body relax into him, almost molding into his body.
"Bri, you good?" He asked softly into my ear. I nodded and pulled back looking into his eyes finally.
He hands now rested comfortably on my waist, his eyes piercing into mines.
I played with my hands a bit before asking, "This is so random isn't it."
He burst out laughing and I eventually joined in as we both realized the situation we were in.
"So should we like talk through it, stay silent, give up?" He asked. I crossed my arms, thinking, as he added, "I'm down with whatever."
I shook my head. "No, we can continue. I'm fine. How about we do a challenge?" I proposed.
He raised his eyebrows in anticipation. Noting the realization I just made moments ago and decided to test my theory.
"Let's look into each other eyes, for the next however much time we have left and not say a word." I said placing my hand on his shoulder looking intently into his eyes.
"I'm down. What's the prize?" He asked.
"Me." I said jokingly, or was I? I laughed quickly after saying it, "just joking, whatever the winner wants."
"Bet, let's go, starting now." He scooted back in the chair a little bit, his arms never leaving my waist.
I tilted my head a bit staring intently into his eyes. I began to think about all the moments we had together, text messages, calls, and how he's been there for me for so many things. There was a possibility he shares the same feelings I do for him.
I began to feel the thumb circles on my waist again and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, not breaking eye contact.
"Bri?" He whispered under his breath, his eyes suddenly drifting downwards.
My heart seemed to burst out of my chest and my stomach began to swirl, in a good way, in anticipation and also now realizing the confirmation I have been waiting for.
Before I could answer, someone broke into the room again shouting, "TIME'S UP!!"
Their voice was followed by a loud resounding celebration of people coming into the room most likely to witness whatever was occurring. I quickly jumped off his lap grabbing my bag off the table.
Adrian reached to grab my hand as we rushed out the room.
"Bye now y'all! Hope you enjoyed your time here!" Leslie shouted as we left, sending a wink our way.
I immediately felt flushed and muttered a quick "thank you" as we quickly exited the building.
I let out a huge sigh immediately, walking in the direction to my apartment.
Adrian was silent the entire way, and so was I until we finally reached our destination.
I turned towards him, just now realizing our hands were held together the entire time we walked here.
Embarrassed I let go and said, "Adrian I'm super sorry for -"
I was interrupted with him grasping the base of my chin with his finger, "No, no don't apologize. Besides, this gave me the chance to finally tell you something I've been waiting for the right moment to tell you about."
Immediately my heart lurched in anticipation, wondering what's next.
He grabbed my hands again, saying "Bridget. I think - no I know I'm in love with you. And you don't have to say anything to me back. Just know in the time I have known you, you have been nothing but special to me. I love our time together. I love our conversations. I love how you speak life into me. I love your relationship with God. I love how you consistently grow and own up to your mistakes. I love how you -"
He paused noticing the stream of tears running down the face, "Don't cry baby. Don't cry. He pulled me in kissing my forehead. He pulled back to stare deeply into my eyes, "I. love. you. Bridget."
It took everything in me to not wail out screaming finally to God. Finally this is the love on Earth I have been looking for.
So, I settled for a smile and pulling our foreheads together.
"I love you too Adrian" and after the words left my mouth, his mouth enveloped mine and I melted into his arms wrapped around my waist.
I don't remember the time or the day but I know we must have stood there unwilling to let each other go and basking in the love shared between us.
"Adrian I have to go. I got class in a minute." I said into his chest as I now rested on his shoulder.
He sighed, knowing ultimately we would have to let each other go eventually.
"No worries. I love you Bridget. So much." He said pulling me into another kiss.
I smiled and finally walked up to the door of the apt. I watched him wave at me as I entered the apt and I blew a kiss towards him.
I heard an alert on my phone, and checked my phone, "I love you and miss you already baby. Call you later tonight. Can't wait to talk to you. Can't wait to talk to God about us during our quiet time. Love you so much. Don't miss me too much.