FicWad

Before 30 Bucket List

1. Learn to sew X
2. Take someone else’s drink at Starbucks X
3. Meet someone famous X
4. Learn to make sushi X
5. Swim in the ocean X
6. Get a tan X
7. Go on a date X
8. Visit New York City
9. Visit Chicago
10. Take a road trip
11. Go camping X
12. Go dancing at a club X
13. Get a tattoo X
14. Ask a guy out/give a guy my number X
15. Kiss a stranger X
16. Have a one night stand
17. Fall in love X
18. Sing karaoke X
19. Party all night in Las Vegas
20. Go skinny dipping X
21. Crowd surf
22. Have sex in public
23. Slip'n'slide as an adult X
24. Get really drunk and throw up X
25. Play in the rain X

It was the following weekend and I had been avoiding Pete's calls. It wasn't like he'd called me a lot, just roughly once or twice a day. He never left a voice-mail, thankfully. I don't think I could stand to hear his voice. I can't believe I let myself fall for him. It was such a huge mistake. The fact that he actually slept with another woman proved to me that all his sweet actions and his near kisses with me were just a product of him being a man on the rebound and had nothing to do with him actually being interested in me.

Here I am, sitting across the table from the blind date Sarah had set me up with and I couldn't help but think about Pete instead. I hated it. I honestly don't understand why people want to be in love. It's all-consuming and painful. Feeling such a strong ache and need for another person hurts. Maybe I'd feel differently about these feelings if Pete felt the same things for me. Unrequited love sucks so much.

"How's the salmon?" Joshua asked me, snapping me out of my inner monologue.

"Uh, it's really good," I replied, smiling sweetly and taking another bite. I hope my distraction isn't too obvious. He is really nice and sweet, so I don't necessarily want to offend him.

"Good," he smiled sweetly back and continued eating for a moment before telling me a story about a trip he took. My mind drifted back to Pete. Why can't I just get over him. I'd thought for sure I'd get over him knowing that he was not into me.

After dinner and drinks, Joshua drove me home. He hopped out of the car and opened my door before walking me to my front door.

"Thanks for dinner. It was delicious," I stated politely.

"Of course. I had fun," he smiled at me. I could see it in his eyes. He was going to try and kiss me.

"Goodnight," I gave him a closed mouth smile and was about to turn and unlock my door when he started leaning in.

"Allie!" Pete called and Joshua pulled back and we both looked in Pete's direction.

"Pete... what are you doing here?" I was confused. Pete jogged up to Joshua and I, then looked between us.

"I needed to see you," he stated. Joshua stepped back, obviously feeling uncomfortable with another man approaching me.

"Night Allie," he stated with a little wave before walking off. I waved bye and turned back to Pete.

"Do you like him?" Pete asked me abruptly. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused.

"I don't know, I barely know him."

"Are you seeing him again?"

"Pete, what's going on?" Why was he suddenly so curious.

"The thought of you with another man..." he paused, closing his eyes in pain before opening them again.

"What?" I was in shock. Was he jealous? "Pete, are you jealous?"

"Fucking green."

"I don't get it. You slept with that chick last week. You didn't seem to give a shit about who I got involved with." I was pissed. He was making me feel crazy.

"I only slept with her because I was upset that you left to fuck that guy!" He seemed distraught. "And when you told me the next morning that you didn't do it... it made me sick."

I stared at Pete in shock for a moment, just trying to take in the words he said. I bit my lip, registering what he words had to mean. There was no other explanation. "Pete... do you..." I couldn't finish the sentence.

"Yes," he replied. He didn't even know what the end of my sentence was, but he said yes. I let out the breath that I had been holding in. Pete cupped my cheek, pulling me to him and kissing me romantically. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he wove both his hands into my hair, holding me in place. His lips were so soft and absolutely melted my heart. He gently parted my lips with his tongue and kissed me deeper, pulling me as close as he could. I gripped the back of his shirt, never wanting to let go.

After a minute, Pete pulled back slowly and rested his forehead against mine. We were both breathing a little heavy. After a few seconds he planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Let's go inside," he whispered and I nodded. He pulled back, allowing me to unlock the door and we made our way in. We walked into my bedroom and I took off my heels. I was dying to get out of this dress and into some sweats. Pete stood in front of my bulletin board, scanning my list when he suddenly froze. "Allie?"

"Yeah, Pete?" I pulled out a t-shirt and sweatpants from the closet.

"Is it me?" Pete asked and it took me a second to realize what he meant. #17. It took a few seconds to get up the courage to answer.

"Yes," I barely whispered out and looked at Pete. A small, content smile formed on his lips before his eyes met mine.

"I love you, too."