I'M HIS AND HIS MINE

oss the street from my car, wi

ar I would do. As if I would want to keep it. What I knew was gonna happen, happened. Savannah dislikes Brad

m," she said after I had

on't." I

d too. Why are you not fu

m more disappointed th

of the fact that I did kiss his brother back in high school. I've never told that to anyone. Not even Savannah. I've always felt like spea

t. There are two long fire trucks parked outside, ready to go. There are also a few white ambulance trucks. I've come here numerous times before. Sometimes during lunch to have lunch with Brad

e is willing to risk their lives for others. I've always had a sense of pride in telling people that my boyfriend is a firefighter. Of c

ugh the main entrance. Oliver is on desk duty today and h

thank you. Is

looks to

tal

me. He looks down the hall at the rooms then at me.

d to speak with B

k of his head. "Yeah.

him. "Why do you loo

t a breath

in realization. "He's with

t me then

slowly. "What

d. "I don't think t

g for him? It's over

and pulls me to the side, further from him. He looks at me then he says in a low v

something I

at

together for over eight years. Eight. And he just moves on this f

moved on. He's jus

I sigh then take out the ring from my purse. "I

it to him."

need get out of here." I turn around and start making

he follows me out.

's. I nee

on. I've been there many times with Brad. I wouldn't go if

ng?" Josh asks as

you wo

getting of

s with a black T-shirt and sneakers. I can't help but notice how his T-shirt sleeves hug his arms. H

days after our break up. I also know I'm the one that broke up with him so there's no point to my anger at all really. It's over. Brad is moving on through whatever way

s. "I gues

her. It's not until we get our drinks—he gets a water—that I realize how long it's been since we've hung out like thi

him. "Thi

ck as if he knows exactly what I

my glass. "How have the pas

ing. Breathtaking, literally." He chuckles as if he just remembered a

I can see the sadness in his eyes. I k

ce many things. See a lot of places...but it's also a very dark, lonely place, Natalie.

and place my hand on top of

sorry,

ime so I imagined him enjoying the country with his friends. How foolish of me to think he was having fun. He was serving the country. I hav

ght," he s

missed you, especially your mom. She always tells

my dad and Brad." He pauses then he t

Ever since that night in his room, the last time I saw him, I felt like there was someone missing. I went through college and made friends, sure, but never someone like Josh. I was never that close

to talk about. I can't pretend that it didn't happen even if it happened so long ago. By the look in his eyes, I can tell that he knows what's going through my head because

m to finish and walk away before turning to Josh. "Why did you kiss me tha

t the truth or do you want me to say

alize that we had leaned our heads into each other. We

e finally speaks.    "Natalie, I kiss

elf catch

ays softly. "Hell, I

I knew this after the kiss but one thing is to speculate

n't a secret. I cared about you." he shrugs. "I guess I didn't realize how much

back to high school when Brad and I started dating. That w

long ago. I felt bad for kissing you that night though. I sh

I gave you a ch

a moment. "Did y

for a long time. In fact, I did until t

," he says lo

a crush on Josh for a long time. It was for the first year of our friendship. But Josh never

finally say. "I don't know wh

ee him glance down my lips for a split second. It makes me feel something in my stomach. Som

lightly so I am looking right at him. "Is this okay?" He whispers. My head nods once before I even have the chance to articulate any words. His touch m

bar with people around us. He presses his lips against mine gently. His lips are soft and gentle as he kisses

t I'm doing. This is wrong. I shouldn't be doing this.

"Shit—" he curses under his breath

hen I turn and walk away from Josh A