Chapter 11 - THE KISS THAT FELT LIKE BETRAYAL
The kiss happened in the kitchen.
Not during a dramatic storm.
Not beneath fireworks.
Not after some grand confession.
We were washing dishes.
Clara was laughing because I'd accidentally dropped a spoon into the garbage disposal.
I told her I was improving the kitchen's acoustics.
She laughed harder.
Then she looked at me.
And something changed.
The laughter faded.
The room became quiet.
I stepped closer.
“Clara.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
I hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Can I kiss you?”
Her eyes filled.
She nodded.
I kissed her gently.
For one beautiful second, she kissed me back.
Then she pulled away.
Her face crumpled.
“Oh, God.”
I stepped back.
“Clara?”
She covered her mouth.
“I'm sorry.”
My heart tightened.
“You don't have to apologize.”
She began crying.
“It feels wrong.”
I nodded.
“I understand.”
She shook her head.
“No, you don't.”
I looked at her.
She whispered:
“I loved Daniel.”
“I know.”
“I still love him.”
“I know.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“And I kissed you.”
I stepped closer, but didn't touch her.
“Clara.”
She looked up.
“Loving someone new doesn't erase the person you lost.”
She began sobbing.
I waited.
Then said quietly:
“You don't have to decide anything tonight.”
She nodded.
May you like
I smiled sadly.
“And you don't have to choose between remembering Daniel and being happy.”
