{Moss Legacy} Chapter 11 | Brydie
The first night of the rest of my life is here. It is time.
Having rearranged the two pottery clients I had today, I sat at my table, instead, wringing my hands— too early to get ready but not able to do anything else as the minutes ticked by.
I was paralysed by the idea that I had something important happening later in the day.
Looking in the mirror, I readjusted my hair for the billionth time. It’s fine, Brydie. Leave it be, I scoffed to myself. Now that the time had arrived, it seemed the day had dragged on whilst flying by. I wasn’t ready. Yet I suddenly felt like I’d been ready all my life.
Standing braced and ready for the knock, I barely dared breathe. My ears straining to hear footfalls as my chest tightened and my heart fluttered. Somehow, I still managed to jump as I heard him mount the verandah and rap on my door with a confident tap, tap, tap.
I opened the door and was met with his gorgeous smile, “You look beautiful.” He greeted me. A blush kissed my cheeks as I fumbled to lock the door, “You too!” I replied, in an overly cheerful manner.
I cringed inwardly, You’re going to stuff this up, I thought.
“I thought we could take a scenic route to dinner,” Don rumbled as we started off, “A tour of some of my favourite hidden places.”
“Sounds good!” Again, too cheery, but he didn’t seem to notice. As we headed out into the balmy night, I breathed the fresh air deep into my lungs, calming myself enough to enjoy the walk.
“This is my favourite coffee spot,” He announced with a grand wave of his hand towards a small, unassuming building. “Oh! Lovely, I will have to visit.” I replied as I watched him out of the corner of my eye, admiring his perfectly manicured beard which showed off his jaw and cheek bones.
Finally, we made it to the restaurant. I realised suddenly that I hadn’t eaten all day in my catatonic state and willed my stomach not to start growling. He took my wide eyed look to mean I was impressed with our destination and laughed a deep, hearty laugh before confidently scooping my hand into his and walking me through the doors.
I probably would have been impressed if I wasn’t trying to control my body and he didn’t touch me, causing galloping horses to run off with my heart and rabid butterflies to create a cyclone in my belly. All I could feel was the gnawing of my hunger and the heat of my hand in his.
Starting the evening with a delicious locally made Strawberry Nectar, I was tipsy almost as soon as we sat.
We ate, did he order for me? Did I? What did I even have?
And, how did I end up home?
Giggly and unsteady, I let us in. My heart picked up the pace again. I knew where the night was headed.
I washed the night off, happily singing and enjoying the hot water running over my tired body.
When I got out of the shower, I realised Don must have slipped out into the night.
Full, happy and exhausted, I didn’t mind. I fell into bed content and dreamt of the life ahead of us.
Until next time,
dag dag x
Moss Legacy | Brydie’s Story
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