Celia was beginning to wish she hadn’t invited Jonathan in for coffee before heading off home. Sure, they’d spent an enjoyable evening bowling with Marzie and Hal, but now that they were alone, somehow Jonathan had managed to get her having exactly the kind of conversation she didn’t like. The conversation about her.
“Okay, let’s recap,” She gave him her most scathing glare, hoping it would put him off. “When I say my ex has practically put me off men for life, you tell me I’m letting myself believe that because it’s convenient. You think I don’t mean it when you say I’m perfectly happy being my own boss and having the freedom to go where I want without some smelly man in the way.”
Jonathan returned the look by widening eyes; great, Celia thought, now he looks horribly earnest as well as damned intense. “You don’t want to even open up to thinking I might be onto something.”
“Look, if I start thinking you’re right – and you’re not – then where does that leave me? Okay, since you became the world expert on my emotions, enlighten me; what’s so lacking in my life?”
“Love.”
Celia started to laugh, with full intention of shrugging the issue off. Jonathan didn’t let her. Speaking quickly, he said, “I’ve always respected that you wanted time to get over Kieran, honestly, but it’s been two years now and frankly I can see it being two more years. You’re a decisive person, C, and that’s one of the things I admire about you, but maybe this time you need someone to make up your mind for you.”
Almost before finishing the sentence, he closed the gap on the sofa, taking her hands with his. Celia looked at them, then up at him, rather dumbstruck, less by what this was leading to, but more by the utter change in his manner. She didn’t feel she could poke fun at this Jonathan, or force him to change the subject. He took another deep breath.
“Knowing you has made me happy. Being your friend makes even happier. But being your boyfriend would make me the happiest guy ever. I think – well, I think you’re amazing and witty and funny and beautiful and clever and kind and fun, and I like you way too much to keep quiet any longer.”
“Well, that was an impressive splurge of adjectives,” Celia said as flippantly as she could. “You’re being very sweet, really, but I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”
“I knew you’d say that. Well, I’m not going to accept it. There comes a point where you’ve got to think about the future rather than the past and that’s long overdue. You’ll kill me for saying this, but a relationship is exactly what you need, and you don’t need to worry that it’ll be a repeat of Kieran, ‘cause I’m not him. And right now, I’m going to kiss you and see how you like that.”
Celia opened her mouth to argue before realising it was an invitation. Jonathan leaned across and met her lips with his, releasing her hands to bring his palms to her face. He let the kiss linger a few seconds before drawing back. Celia regarded the now worried looking eyes looking into hers a long moment, contemplating whether she felt more like biting his head off or kissing the living daylights out of him.
Jonathan glanced away, colouring up, and Celia’s anger tipped to panic. Oh, Gods, he was always blushing, so often for stupid reasons, and though it should be annoying, she’d always found it cute, along with the fact that he was so painfully earnest and gullible and awkward and always trying so hard to be good and not quite managing it and – She grabbed his cheeks and pulled him forwards, pressing her lips to his. He responded and with increasing ease and interest, they kept kissing, shifting and ending up stretched out on the couch with Celia’s back to the cushioned arm and Jonathan’s glasses lopsided. Smiling, Celia drew the frames straight.
“Have you been waiting all this time?”
He laughed, rather nervously. “Um… can’t lie and say no. Can I just get this straight, because I need to hear it said – you saying yes to getting together?”
She sighed, raising her eyes to the ceiling. “Seems I am. And, sod it, what you said about me was right.”
“I didn’t offend you?”
“Yes.” She barred her teeth in a wolfish grin. “Luckily you’ve got away without me mauling you. I don’t like people having the guts to tell me I’m wrong, because I’m a stubborn person who always thinks she’s right. Only this time it turns out you are.”
“Thought so.”
“Smart alec.” She ran her fingers over his nose and chin and cheekbones and mouth. “I wonder if I know you that well.”
“You know me well enough to be able to guess that I nearly got cold feet over this. I was sick of just being friends, though, and waiting for something you might not even want –”
“I want. I definitely want. You’re a bloody good kisser, you know that?”
“Really?”
“Yup.” More confident now, she grinned and drew up her fingers to scratch his head. “You just look cute and innocent to hide it, you cunning ickle thing, you. But more seriously… I’d like to try it out.” She smiled. “I’m not promising it’ll be perfect, but I want to see where we go. Because, you know, there’s something about you I think is rather wonderful.”

* * *

Romance Series #8 : Celia and Jonathan

It began as a simply-oh-so-complicated roll in the hay. Her cousin was marrying his best friend. She was the Maid of Honor, he was the best man. Both were single and hating it. They had a little too much to drink, connected a bit too quickly. What followed was a roller coaster spanning several years, with several break-ups and reunions, finally ending in a long-awaited marriage.

Here we see Celia tickling Jono, who is cuddled up with Clover. Given the unblemished makeup, I would guess she's about to give him a smexy surprise. ...He'd best put on his glasses so he can see her.