She waited for his text. He'd promised he'd always respond to her, whether day or night, come rain or shine. His promises of late seemed more heartfelt, more genuine, and she felt as if something was different this time. It was as if his words represented a sudden change of heart, a raw realisation that this time things would be different. Carla clung onto this new shred of hope that could mean that, just for once, he thought about her as much as she thought about him. He had never actually muttered the words during their first encounter since LA yesterday, but she could tell by the way he looked at her that her absence had brought about a slow-building epiphany.
Their eyes had met through the crowded pub and like a magnet they were transfixed on eachother. He had been counting the days since she left, wondering when she would return whilst battling those alarm bells in his head questioning why he missed her so much and whether she missed him just the same. They had both exchanged an awkward yet heartfelt smile and slyly examined eachothers bodies, both thinking the exact same thought. I need you.
Peter's hands had itched as he contemplated walking over to her and engaging her in small talk about her trip, about her current mental state, but as always his wife Leanne's presence hindered his actions and ability to talk to the woman he loved. He'd slowly grown to resent Leanne, to dislike her bitter words directed at Carla, even after the ordeal she'd suffered in the last couple of months. It was on that day he'd decided he knew what he wanted. He knew now why he'd been so distant towards Leanne, not only could he not forgive her for betraying him with Nick, but he discovered his heart lies with another. Someone who understood him, someone who he could laugh with and be himself with. There was only ever her who could ever understand him.
Now here Carla was, unsure, unknowing as to whether their intimate exchange on the previous day was all in her imagination, or whether it was as evident as she'd hoped that he cared deeply for her. She looked once again at her phone. It had been 15 minutes since she had text him. A simple, coherent "can I see you? X" and now all she could do was wait. She thought that, if deep down he loved her, then he would come to her and he could hold her like she'd longed for. If he didn't reply and he had fobbed her off in fear of Leanne finding out then that was it. She couldn't put herself through it anymore. It was make or break time, something she had slowly become resigned to, because she couldn't pine for him anymore, unrequited love hurt too much.
She sighed deeply as she looked towards the cupboard where various bottles of spirits lay in waiting, having been out of use for a couple of weeks now. She didn't want to revert back to her old ways so impatiently flicked through her phone as a source of distraction. Suddenly there was a loud buzz at her door, and Carla eagerly jumped up, her heart pounding, with a huge grin slowly spreading across her face. She held the phone to her ear and immediately felt the butterflies flutter around her stomach as his husky voice etched through the phone. It was peter.
She pressed the button to let him in, feeling slightly giddy yet nervous, this was better than any text he could have sent her. She bit her nails in anticipation as she heard him jogging up the wooden stairs, she pondered as to what kind of visit this was. The door was left ajar and he slid through it whilst a little breathless with that sexy smile on his face. In that moment none of them spoke. She studied his big brown eyes and even they seemed to be smiling, with his fixed gaze entirely on her, they both stood there with no words uttered. She noticed he was wearing her favourite black blazer, bittersweet how he had once worn this during one of her few rejections from him, yet the expression etched on his face was definitely different this time.
"I didn't think you'd come" she said hesitantly, whilst awkwardly fiddling with her hands, breaking their eye contact by looking at the floor. His smile faltered and he added "i've missed you so much" whilst rushing towards her in an impatient manner grabbing the back of her head and softly thrusting her lips to meet his. She was taken by surprise but this burst of passion was a long time coming, the kiss spoke a thousand words, it were as if their built up feelings were all confirmed in that long passionate kiss. She was touching his face, grabbing at his clothes, she now had the contact with him that she'd longed for, to be held by him and to feel that for now, he was hers.
He stroked her glossy hair whilst pulling her in for a closer embrace, caressing her smooth skin with his other free hand, desperate for her to feel his touch. She could stay like this forever, kissing him whilst being held and feeling loved by the man she'd longed for the best part of a year. He slowly tore his lips apart, whilst breathlessly staring into her eyes, his face inches from hers. "you don't know how long i've wanted to do that again" he chuckled. She giggled like an excitable teenager, "i didn't think we'd ever do it again. But, what is this? It's not...not out of pity is it?" she asked, fearfully dreading the answer he could give that could come crashing down, crushing all her newfound hopes for the future. " Of course not, i would never use you like that. Truth is, I don't know how i've coped without you, you're the only one i want to be with, who understands me, there's no hiding it anymore. I love you".
With this last utterance her eyes welled with tears and she leaned in to passionately kiss him again, running both her hands down his face, then nuzzling her face into his shoulder. She then hugged him out of relief and bewilderment, with him squeezing her tighter so they could feel the warmth of both their bodies against each other. They drew apart and he took her hand in his and kissed it in a gentlemanly manner. She giggled. "Ooh going all chivalrous on me now are you Mr Barlow, well you don't have to resort to such measures to woo me" she swooned. " I may be a punning ex alci Mrs Connor but I know how to treat a classy woman when I see one" he remarked whilst swooping her whole body up in his arms and spinning her round. She laughed hysterically playfully shouting "peter! Put me down!" whilst peter softly laid her down on the sofa and sat next to her, his face beaming, stroking her gorgeous dark hair. She batted her lashes in a flirtatious manner slightly overcome by his playful manner, this side she had never been allowed to see of him before, it would have been too dangerous back then, they both knew going from their harmless banter to close bodily contact would lead to something more. But now here she was, allowed to touch him, gaze at him without being so discreet and most of all be physical with him as she no longer had to feel the sharp sting of rejection. She still couldn't bring herself to approach the question so just moved to allow him to lie with her whilst she snuggled into him, joking, laughing and being intimate with him, but not as intimate as she'd have liked yet.
He showered her with kisses for what felt like a lifetime and then withdrew his lips from hers and went suddenly coy for a moment, lost in thought. "What is it Peter, what you thinking about?". "oh nothing, i just... just wondered if I could stay over tonight, just to be close to you, you know we don't have to do anything else, i just don't wanna leave now when i've wanted to be here with you in your flat, just you and me for so long. She smiled and breathed a sigh of relief, " of course you can, i'd love nothing better, it's just..." "what is it Carla?". "Well are you sure you don't mind if we don't do that, we could try it if you want, part of me really wants to, i've imagined it for so long" she said as a cheeky smile passed her lips. Peter flashed her a quick grin and then gave her a loving peck on the lips. "Of course I don't mind, we can take it as slow as you want, after all you've been through with Frank i'm not surprised, as long as i'm here with you i'm happy, it's entirely your decision sweetheart".