Case File 74

Case File Name:

Leaving Early.

♤Chapter Seventy-Four♤

"Mil," I heard Tazmin call out as I walked back into her bedroom.

"Yes, baby?" I said, walking over to the bathroom as my heels clicked precisely against the floors.

And for once I wore black open-toed heels instead of my typical stilettos.

But only because the open-toed heels felt more fitting.

They matched the cheetah set I wore which consisted of a long mesh skirt and a matching bandeau top that showed off my toned stomach.

I wore my shiny dark hair down with a matte makeup look and my usual silver jewelry.

"Where did you go?" Tazmin asked as soon as I walked into the bathroom.

And I couldn't help but smile slightly at the suspicious look she gave me through the mirror.

Apparently, Tazmin loves to give surprises but hates it when you surprise her back.

"I was thirsty," I lied, motioning to the water bottle in my hand.

Which I got after I carefully snuck a couple of things into the trunk of her G-Wagon.

"Right..." Tazmin trailed off with a knowing look.

But I only ignored her suspicions and decided to focus on how good she looked.

All black always seemed to fit her so perfectly.

And the halter tank top that exposed her tatted-toned arms and clung to her frame looked so perfectly paired with the matching black dress pants she wore.

Her usual chains and bracelets shined—even her soft blonde hair nearly glistened as it cascaded down her exposed back.

"You look so good," I said as I ran my hands past her waist and leaned into the back of her body.

Tazmin hummed as she applied Aquaphor to her lips, "And you look fucking beautiful baby," she said, subtly glancing down when I ran my fingers across her Hermés belt.

"Take my compliment," I murmured as I ran my hands up from her belt to caress her covered stomach.

"Only if you take mine," Tazmin countered as she sat the tube of Aquaphor on the counter, giving me her full attention.

And before I could process it, she had turned around to face me.

She also flipped our positions.

"My night remember," I said, eyeing my leg that she subtly caressed her fingers up—teasing the slit in my long skirt.

"And what does this night consist of?" Tazmin purposely asked as she hooked her hand under my thigh and pulled my leg around her torso.

Which immediately forced me to arch away from the sink she had me pinned against.

"I see what you're doing," I said, nudging her back slightly.

But Tazmin only trailed her fingers higher up the back of my thigh.

Which irritatingly sent my thoughts for a loop.

But only for a moment.

"We have to go," I reminded her, forcing my voice to remain strong even if I could easily feel my body growing hotter under her touch.

"And where are we going baby?" Tazmin asked, trailing her fingers over from the back of my thigh to run across my core covered in lace.

I let out a breathless hum, deciding to lean further into her as she rubbed me so perfectly through my underwear.

"Milena," Tazmin whispered in my ear as I arched even deeper into her touch, feeling my folds grow so wet through my underwear, "Tell me where we're going baby."

I let out a deep sigh as I gently scratched my short nails down her back.

"Fine," I said, pulling her further into my body for support.

Tazmin hummed in approval as she trailed soft kisses up my neck.

"If you must know where we're going," I forced out breathlessly, smiling slightly as I lowered my leg back down from her torso, "It's called a surprise," I said in a softened tone, nudging her away from me entirely.

"So this is what we're doing?" Tazmin said as soon as I walked past her.

I adjusted my skirt back to normal, "You wanted to know," I pointed out with a growing smile as I walked into her bedroom.

And I could easily hear her steps trailing behind me.

"Come on baby," Tazmin said as she caught up with me, sliding her arm to rest around my waist, "Just tell me where we're going—I am the one driving," she pointed out.

I glanced up at her with an amused smile, "Actually, I'm driving," I corrected her, walking out into the hallway with her by my side.

"You're driving?" Tazmin clarified with a raised brow.

I nodded happily, "I am," I said, pressing the button to the elevator.

Which dinged open immediately, allowing us both to get on the elevator to ride down to the first level.

And I didn't waste any time leading us both out to the garage, considering we had reservations to make it to.

Luckily, I managed to get in with one of the newest seafood restaurants in town.

I also specified that champagne awaits our arrival considering we're celebrating something tonight.

Tazmin just doesn't know it yet.

"I heard about this place," Tazmin said as the valet politely took the keys from my hand and handed me a ticket.

I smiled slightly as we walked toward the doors, "It's supposed to be really good," I said, recalling how my coworkers raved about this place, "Dinners on me tonight," I made sure to add.

Which immediately made Tazmin's brows shoot up, "I appreciate that baby but you know—"

"Tazmin," I cut her short with a narrowed look as she opened one of the doors for me, "This is me taking you on a date—so I'm paying," I emphasized, patting her shoulder as I walked past her into the modern restaurant.

"I didn't realize Milena Azhari did dates,” Tazmin teased me, sliding her arm back around my waist as we walked further into the restaurant together.

"For Tazmin Moretti I do," I countered back with a smirk growing on my lips.

That Tazmin leaned down to briefly kiss.

"I'm still tipping," she subtly murmured as she pulled back from my lips.

I jokingly rolled my eyes, "Fine," I said, deciding to compromise with her.

Which earned a nod of approval from Tazmin as we walked over to the hostess waiting at the podium.

And almost as soon as she heard my full name, she immediately led us over to our table—which already had champagne waiting as I specified.

I also made sure to order oysters for our appetizer, which we waited for as we sipped the bubbly champagne.

"You know these are aphrodisiacs?" I said as I picked up one of the oysters.

But only to hold it to Tazmin's lips.

"I'm very aware," Tazmin said, smirking slightly as she parted her lips for me.

And I couldn't help but watch as I tilted the oyster back to feed her—our eyes never wavering away from one another as she swallowed and went to wipe her lips.

Until I beat her to it, carefully wiping her soft lips for her.

"Let me feed you baby," Tazmin said as she grabbed an oyster for me.

And I didn't hesitate to lean further into the table so she could feed me the oyster.

But as soon as my cleavage pressed against the table, Tazmin unconsciously glanced down past my lips.

At least until I wrapped my lips around the rim of the oyster and slowly tilted my head back for her.

And I couldn't help but smirk slightly when Tazmin forcefully cleared her throat and glanced away from me entirely as I swallowed.

"I could honestly make all of this back at the house," Tazmin suddenly offered, letting out a deep sigh as she sat the oyster shell down.

An amused smile grew on my lips, "Oh really?" I said, playing into her games.

Even if I knew she just wanted to get me back to her place.

"Or we could eat something else," Tazmin subtly suggested, glancing back over to me.

And I couldn't help but raise a brow when her dark eyes openly fell down my body.

"I don't know... I really want to try the food here," I purposely said, running my fingertip around the rim of my half-empty champagne glass.

"Anything you want baby," Tazmin said, gently grabbing my hand that rested on the table, "A quick bathroom break sounds better to me anyway."

I hummed, never once glancing away from her dark eyes pinpointed on me, "A bathroom break..." I trailed off, tilting my head slightly, "I think I need a better description of what that entails." 

Tazmin's lips tilted up, clearly amused as she eyed my face so openly, "You know I would love to bend you over the counter," she said, gently caressing her thumb against the back of my hand, "But your face is just so fucking beautiful baby," she murmured with a lowered tone.

I nodded once for her to continue, forcing myself to remain entirely unaffected by her words.

But honestly, I've never felt so fucking impatient in my life.

"The faces you make—how your eyes roll closed when I hit your spot," Tazmin murmured so delicately that it made my thighs press together, "And you're always so tight and wet for me baby—"

I suddenly cut her short in a restrained hum, noticing our waiter walking over to our secluded table.

"Are we ready to order some entrees?" the man named Isaac asked with a carefree smile.

Tazmin immediately nodded, glancing down at the menu, "I think we'll do—"

"You know I just... I don't think I'm feeling that well," I suddenly said, cutting Tazmin short before she could order for either of us.

Tazmin glanced back up from her menu to eye my face, "You do look a little flushed baby," she said, which I could tell was purposeful by the hint of amusement growing on her face.

I forced a hum, "I wonder why," I mumbled under my breath, holding her dark eyes for a moment before I glanced back to the waiter, "I think we're just going to get the check please."

The man immediately nodded, "I'll go grab that for you guys now," he said, smiling as he backed away from us.

And as soon as he was away from our table, I glanced back to Tazmin.

"Seriously?" I said, grabbing my glass to drink the rest of the champagne in it, "You can't sit through one simple dinner without fucking teasing me?" I retorted, bringing the rim of my glass to my glossed lips.

Tazmin only eyed my face, "You look too good not to tease sweetheart," she said, interlacing our fingers together, "You know I always make it up to you though."

I only shook my head at her before glancing over to the waiter approaching our table again.

Only this time with the check.

Which Tazmin actually let me pay for.

Even if she left a tip that cost more than the bill itself.

"You're annoying sometimes," I mumbled as we walked through the parking garage.

Since there was a line for the valet, and I refused to wait another second, we decided to grab the car ourselves.

I had honestly never felt more impatient in my entire life.

Mostly, to show her what I had in store.

And also to get her back to her place—even if I'm planning to drag it out a little since she thinks it's so fucking fun to tease me.

"You love me," Tazmin said, giving my waist a gentle squeeze as we approached the familiar black G-Wagon.

"I do love you," I said with a growing smile, "I love you so fucking much that it's nauseating."

Tazmin laughed slightly, "Sounds like you," she determined, tilting her head slightly when I went to open the trunk, "What are you—"

She immediately cut herself short when she laid eyes on the massive bouquet of white roses I had placed in the trunk earlier.

"Milena?" Tazmin said as she walked closer to the open trunk where I stood.

I felt my smile grow into an unbearable grin, "Surprise baby," I whispered as I ran my hand up her exposed arm, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Tazmin remained silent for a moment, eyeing the bouquet of roses as I leaned past her to grab the black box.

"Open it for me," I said, extending the box out for her to take.

Which she immediately took from my hand, pressing a soft kiss to my temple as she carefully opened the box.

And revealed the iced-out Audemars Piguet watch.

Except instead of the icy silver, this one was gold.

Which I knew she didn't have yet.

"Mil," Tazmin said with a growing smile, glancing away from the watch to me.

But I only shook my head with an annoying grin, "Check the inside of it," I said, reaching for the box to grab.

Which made Tazmin slowly remove the watch from the box that I later sat down in the trunk.

And somehow my wide fucking grin grew even more as I watched her read the engraving.

Our wish came true.

"I remember that letter you left me to this day," I suddenly spoke, eyeing her perfect face, "If wishes came true—"

"It would've been you," Tazmin gently cut me short, glancing up from the watch to meet my light eyes.

"I wanted it to be me..." I hesitantly trailed off, holding her stare that never once wavered away from me, "I don't even do weddings or marriage, Tazmin, but god did I want that to be me by your side in white," I whispered, drawing in a deep breath when my chest managed to grow irritatingly heavy.

I suddenly let out a long sigh as soon as Tazmin ran her hands past my waist and pulled me into a tight hug.

Which I didn't hesitate to reciprocate back, wrapping my arms around her torso and nuzzling into the crook of her neck.

"I didn't know you felt that way baby," Tazmin said as she caressed her hands up and down my back.

"I just really love you and..." I trailed off, shaking my head as I naturally pulled back from her to meet her familiar dark eyes, "I want you to be mine again—and I want to be yours," I finally whispered.

And before Tazmin could say anything in response or even process my words fully—I pressed my lips to hers for a soft brief kiss.

"Be my girlfriend?" I murmured against her lips, hesitantly pulling back to gauge her reaction.

And I immediately noticed the perfect smile growing on her lips.

"Of course baby," she said, running her hands up my back and drawing me in closer to her body, "I just really fucking hate that you beat me to it."

I laughed slightly, "You got the first one," I pointed out as leaned up to kiss her lips yet again.

Which Tazmin didn't hesitate to reciprocate, "Fair point," she murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek, "Who knew you were such a romantic Milena."

I immediately scrunched up my nose, "Please don't call me that," I nearly groaned in annoyance, hating the idea of such a thing.

Tazmin only chuckled, "Not after this I'm not," she said, holding me even closer to her body.

I rolled my eyes, "Get in the car Tazmin," I mumbled, motioning my head to the car beside us.

Tazmin's smile grew amused, "I think I'm getting deja vu right now," she said, which quickly brought me back to all those times she had told me to get in this very same car.

I hummed dryly, "I take back every nice thing I just said," I sighed, pulling back from her.

But Tazmin didn't let me move even an inch, "You mean every romantic thing you just said?" she purposely pointed out, laughing when I groaned in annoyance yet again.

"This is weird—like really fucking weird," I determined, shaking my head as I eyed my girlfriend, "Who have you turned me into?" I asked, my tone holding a level of offense.

"Apparently a romantic," Tazmin said, her amused smile growing wider when I rolled my eyes, "Now hand me the keys and you get in the car Milena," she mocked my previous words.

Which made an annoying smile twitch up onto my lips, "I love you," I mumbled, leaning up to briefly kiss her soft lips.

"I love you too baby," Tazmin said, handing me the watch in her hand.

But only so I could secure it around her wrist for her.

And as soon as I had the expensive watch on her wrist and the trunk closed, Tazmin walked me over to the passenger side and opened my door so I could slide into the car.

Once I was settled, she shut my door and walked over to the driver's side to slide into the seat beside me.

And of course, Tazmin's right hand inevitably found its way into my lap.

Which I held, playing with her fingers as I discussed how fucking hard she is to shop for.

I swear she has everything.

I almost considered if she had that exact same watch hidden away to wear later.

But Tazmin confirmed she didn't—and even if she did she claimed she would've thrown it out and kept mine.

Especially because of the engraving.

Which somehow left a smile on my face until we made it back to her place.

Where my own games suddenly began.

From purposefully wanting to get those white roses in a vase—to suddenly wanting to take a long shower.

Which Tazmin still joined me for even if I purposely washed my own hair and body.

And I could tell that every second that passed by us, Tazmin was slowly growing as impatient as I had previously felt at the table.

It was the way her dark eyes trailed every inch of my body as I carefully dried off.

Or how she pressed soft kisses to my bare shoulder before I pulled a white robe on that matched hers.

Or even how she ran her hands so sensually up and down my covered sides as I finished the last of my extensive skincare.

"I have another surprise for you," I said as we walked back into her room, "Sit on the bed while I grab it."

Tazmin raised a brow, "Should I be concerned right now?" she asked, walking toward the bed where she sat down.

"You'll love it," I said as I reached into my white Birkin and grabbed the last surprise I had left.

And as I approached Tazmin, I purposely held my hands behind my back—hiding my last surprise of the night as I carefully straddled her lap.

"Let's see it baby," Tazmin said as she trailed her hands under my robe and up my bare thighs.

A devious smile slowly spread onto my lips as I slowly pulled my hands from behind my back.

And revealed the blunt with a pink bow tied precisely around it.

Which immediately made my girlfriend raise a brow at me.

"Who taught you how to roll?" Tazmin asked almost offensively.

I jokingly scoffed, "Wow so you don't like it?" I asked, leaning the blunt away from her hand that suddenly reached up to grab it.

"You know I love anything from you," Tazmin immediately shot my previous assumption down, "I just want to know who taught you—give me a full name too."

I rolled my eyes even if a smile slowly grew on my lips at her protectiveness, "I didn't roll it—I had Vic slide me this," I briefly explained as Tazmin gently took the blunt from my hand, "But the bow was all me. Isn't it cute?"

Tazmin's smile grew amused, "Very fucking cute baby," she said, shaking her head as she glanced away from the blunt to meet my dark eyes, "Let's smoke together."

I immediately nodded, "I want to go right now," I said, sliding off of her lap to walk over to the balcony.

Which Tazmin ended up following me over to after she grabbed one of her lighters.

And I swear it felt like one of my calmest nights in a while.

How the nearby beach glistened under the moon while my girlfriend stood in front of me as she lit the blunt for us.

"How are you feeling?" Tazmin asked as she brought the blunt to her lips.

I smiled slightly, "I haven't smoked yet," I pointed out.

Tazmin shook her head, exhaling the smoke away from my face, "I meant about what happened that night," she said, gently grabbing the side of my neck as she brought the blunt to my lips.

And I purposely inhaled for a long moment, hoping to somewhat stall us from having this conversation.

But I eventually had to pull back, and considering how big of a hit I took—I was nearly coughing like a fucking maniac.

"There's water inside baby," Tazmin said as she ran her hand up and down my back, eyeing my face so openly.

I quickly shook my head, swallowing harshly as I blinked away the tears that grew in my eyes from coughing.

And as soon as my coughing faded, it grew quiet between us for a moment.

Especially as our eyes never once glanced away from each other.

"I'm fine now that it's all over," I decided to answer her question, glancing away from her as I took the blunt from her fingers.

But only to hold it to Tazmin's lips.

And as she took another hit, she never once glanced away from me.

Not even as she exhaled the smoke and took the blunt back from me.

"I just..." Tazmin trailed off, watching me as I took another hit from the blunt she held to my lips, "I can't process the idea that she wanted to kill you—that anyone would want to kill you, Milena."

I blinked a few times, unconsciously sliding my arms around her waist as I exhaled the previous hit I had taken.

"And I wasn't your first call," Tazmin said as she glanced away from me, almost like she couldn't bring herself to look at me, "You could've died that night and I wasn't your first call."

I pursed my lips, feeling a frown unconsciously grow on my face.

I never realized that bothered her.

"I did think about calling you," I whispered, watching as she took another hit from the blunt, "I just thought you would be really mad at me. I thought—"

"This is your life we're talking about Milena," Tazmin said as she glanced back over to me, finally meeting my stare again, "Nothing else comes first when it comes to you and you know that—I know you know that."

I remained silent for a long moment, watching as she took another hit from the blunt.

But only to lean down to my lips, and blow the smoke into my mouth.

And I couldn't help but allow my heavy eyes to fall closed, exhaling the smoke as she trailed soft kisses past my lips and down my neck.

"I want to be your first call always," Tazmin murmured against my neck, "I need to be your first call, Milena," she emphasized, holding me closer to her body.

I immediately nodded, "I need you to be my first call too," I whispered, determining that I would never make a decision like that again.

Tazmin let out a deep sigh, "I don't even want to know what I would've done if things had gone differently that night," she said, pulling back from my neck to put the lit blunt out, "I already go fucking insane just from being away from you."

I smiled slightly as she glanced back over to me, "Yeah, I think I was beginning to go insane too," I admitted.

Tazmin shook her head as she secured the blunt behind her ear, "I swear I would've killed her with no fucking hesitation," she said in the most serious tone I had honestly ever heard from her.

I unconsciously leaned into her, drawing her in closer to me for a hug.

I swear I've never felt this fucking loved.

And not in a family sense—or even an aunt or sister sense.

Tazmin's love felt different.

It was something rooted much deeper and darker inside of me.

It was something that consumed me to the point that it fueled the air to my lungs.

And it quite literally makes the blood flow to my heart in ways it had never done before.

My heart feels like it physically beats harder for Tazmin.

"I love you," I whispered as I drew my hands up her back, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck, "In so many indescribable ways, Tazmin, I love you," I emphasized.

Tazmin let out a content sigh, nuzzling her face into my neck as she gave my waist a gentle squeeze.

"I love you too Mil," she whispered against my neck as she drew me in even closer to her body.

And as soon as she began trailing kisses up my neck, I unconsciously pulled back from her to pull her into a kiss.

Tazmin immediately tilted my head back further—towering over me as she deepened the kiss with her tongue.

I hummed against her lips when she parted my legs using her one.

And as soon as her fingers trailed under my robe, I couldn't help but hold her tighter to me as I arched away from the glass balcony.

A moan vibrated in the back of my throat as soon as she began rubbing my clit so perfectly.

It was such a soft gentle speed—dipping down to my entrance in between rubbing and flicking my most sensitive spot.

She took her time kissing and touching me right where I needed her most. 

Until she finally slid so perfectly into me.

Which emitted a string of deeper moans from me as she trailed kisses down my neck—sliding in and out of me at such a perfect pace.

"Tazmin—"

I cut myself short with a much louder moan as soon as she slid a second finger into me.

And I couldn't help but arch deeper into her as she continued her pace—feeling her pull back from my neck to gauge every reaction I made under her touch.

"So fucking beautiful Milena," Tazmin said, curling so deeply into me, which immediately made my nails dig into her covered back, "You're so beautiful baby."

I let out a deep drawn-out moan, easily feeling myself grow so close to my peak.

"And you're always so wet for me," Tazmin murmured, digging my hips deeper into the balcony behind me as she deepened her strokes.

And her actions combined with her words alone sent me into a dizzy spiral—one that felt so fucking warm and addictive.

"Tazmin," I nearly whined when she sped up, holding me in place to take every deep and fast stroke.

I could barely catch my breath between moans as I tugged and grabbed at Tazmin's waist for support.

Especially when I fell into my intense orgasm, which nearly made me lose my fucking mind.

After going without her touch for so long, I couldn't help but bask in every single second of my orgasm.

One that she helped me ride it out so fucking perfectly.

It made my eyes roll closed and a shiver fight its way down my spine.

Until everything relaxed around me—even my legs grew looser and my heavy breathing faded.

And as soon as Tazmin slid out of me, I had my lips parted for her.

Which made a look of approval grow on my girlfriend's features as she gently grabbed the front of my neck and slid her fingers past my parted lips.

And I made sure to take it all as Tazmin held me in place, sliding her fingers in and out of my mouth until they were clean and my eyes were watery.

"My girl," Tazmin murmured, sliding her arms around my waist as she pulled me in for a hug.

I immediately relaxed further in her arms, "Always yours," I whispered as I pressed my cheek to her chest, hugging myself so tightly to her body, "And you're always mine."

Tazmin placed a soft kiss to my temple, "Always," she repeated back to me, nuzzling back into the crook of my neck.

And that's how we remained for the next few minutes on end—wrapped in a hug with the distant ocean waves crashing in the background.

At least until we decided to head down to the kitchen for something to eat since we had left our dinner early.

But considering how impatient I was, Tazmin really only had time to make me a sandwich with a variety of chips to choose from.

"Mav and Vic really got to you huh?" Tazmin said, laughing slightly as I put more barbecue chips in my sandwich.

I only smiled, "Apparently I was really missing out as a child," I said as I took another bite of my sandwich before handing it over to Tazmin.

"Oh you were—this was Gia and I's go-to during pool days," Tazmin said as she took the sandwich from my extended hand to take a bite.

And I couldn't help but nod almost wordlessly, still somehow feeling awkward at the topic of her sister.

But I knew with time it would fade.

"We should get some snacks to bring upstairs," I said carefully sliding down from the counter.

Which caused Tazmin to instinctively reach for my waist to help me down fully.

"Yeah, you're definitely high," Tazmin laughed slightly as I began rummaging through all her different snacks.

My smile grew, "I'm high in love," I suddenly said as I grabbed more bags of chips to sit out on the counter, "Get it? Like drunk in—"

"Yeah I get it baby," Tazmin said, laughing again as she grabbed her water to drink, "I'll never fucking forget the way you tried to cover that one up."

I rolled my eyes even if a smile remained on my lips, "I wasn't trying to cover it up... I was just trying to explain what I meant," I quickly explained, setting out the animal crackers with the chips.

Tazmin nodded a few times, clearly not believing a word I had just said, "Whenever you're ready to really discuss it I'll be right here sweetheart," she said, not bothering to go along with my antics.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "There's nothing to really discuss," I pointed out, laying out the different cookies, but inevitably growing a little disappointed when there weren't any Chips Ahoy.

"What is it?" Tazmin suddenly asked as she took another sip of her water, noticing the clear displease on my face.

I shrugged, "Nothing you just don't have Chips Ahoy, which means you don't like them either, and Vic said they were stale cookies one time and that—"

"I'll get Chips Ahoy for you tomorrow," Tazmin gently cut me short as she walked over to me, "And Vic doesn't know what he's talking about."

I smiled slightly, "Really?" I whispered as she slid her arms around my waist from behind.

"Yeah, this is more your house than his baby," Tazmin said as she ran her hands up and down my sides.

"No, I meant the part where you said Vic doesn't know what he's talking about," I purposely said, which immediately earned a joking scoff from my girlfriend.

And I couldn't help but laugh when she nudged me away.

"Wow I was trying to have a moment," Tazmin said as I turned around to grab her hand, nearly

laughing uncontrollably in the process.

"I was joking baby," I said in between breathless laughs as I pulled her back closer to me.

But Tazmin only shook her head—even if a smile subtly grew on her lips as she stared down at me.

And as soon as she leaned down to kiss me, my laughter slowly faded.

Especially when she grabbed the front of my neck and held me in place, deepening the kiss with her tongue.

Which immediately earned a deep hum from me.

"I guess I know how to get you quiet now," Tazmin murmured against my lips with a growing smile.

And almost as soon as I nudged her away with a narrowed look, a beautiful laugh fell from her lips.

"You're annoying," I mumbled as I walked past her—until she suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me back to her.

"So no Chips Ahoy?" my girlfriend asked with an amused smile as she stared down at me.

I rolled my eyes, "I could never say no to Chips Ahoy," I emphasized as I leaned up to kiss her.

Which Tazmin immediately reciprocated, "And I could never say no to you," she murmured against my lips.

And somehow picking out snacks turned into us kissing endlessly in her kitchen.

Except it was so soft and slow—like we just wanted to bask in each other's existence before we focused on the next thing.

Which left us both with swollen lips, flushed faces, and frizzy hair as we walked upstairs with our numerous snacks and drinks.

And somehow this last-minute meal was better than any meal I could've gotten at a new five-star restaurant.

It was definitely worth leaving early.