Lesson 160- Some things are worth waiting for.

The next three weeks and six days pass quickly, VERY quickly. We settle into a routine. I stay at the bar, we work. On my days off, Torin and I go out for an early dinner before he comes back to open up the bar. I get breakfasts with my brother and I even have plans to babysit for Catcher and Mira next weekend. When she realised I used to work at a kindergarten she immediately requested my help so that she can have an actual date night. Today officially makes one month since the last discussion Torin and I had about our relationship. Since then neither of us has said a word about it. We spend a lot of time together, and despite the temptation, I haven’t kissed him again. The last four weeks have been some of the best weeks of my life. The only thing that would make it better is if Torin agrees to an actual relationship with me when I ask him tonight. I love being his friend, and spending time together has been great. But I still can’t shake the fact that my feelings for him are romantic in nature. When I woke up today, I was seriously tempted to just head straight down to Torin’s house and demand an answer from him immediately. But I’ve been forcing myself to be patient which is why I’ve been waiting by the back door for him to arrive for over an hour. Laura, Kyle and Catcher have already arrived and we’re meant to be opening any moment. Where the hell is he? Is he not coming? My heart sinks, I can only think of one reason why he would be avoiding coming into the bar. He’s avoiding me and the conversation that I’ve been eagerly anticipating. I suppose the reality is that he might still reject me, but I don’t think I’ve accepted that as an actual possibility yet. Not really. Or maybe I just don’t want to accept it. So that’s how I find myself standing out in the alley behind the bar. Waiting for him. The weather has taken a turn in the last week or so and It’s now quite cold outside. I should really go back in but I can’t seem to bring myself to actually do so until I hear Kyle clearing his throat loudly from behind me.
“Standing out here won’t make him show up any faster. I bet if I text him a photo of you freezing yourself to death he will show up faster than if you actually do it, you might as well come in and have a cup of hot tea.” He grumbles. I sigh and reluctantly head back inside. Exactly six minutes later (I’m definitely counting) Torin comes rushing in through the back door and into the kitchen where he grabs my shoulders and looks me over from head to toe. 
“What were you doing waiting out in the cold?” He demands. Wait, Kyle ACTUALLY sent him a photo? I thought that was a joke!
“Waiting for you, obviously. We have a conversation planned.” I remind him. Torin freezes up. I’ve never seen him look so flustered. His ears are red, his poker face is nowhere to be seen and he is shuffling his weight around awkwardly. 
“Are you ready to talk now?” I ask, trying not to sound too desperate. Torin shakes his head. 
“I need to open up the bar, maybe we can talk later?” He suggests, his voice is half an octave higher than usual. He is REALLY anxious. Before I can stop him, he whirls around and marches straight out of the kitchen and down to the bar while I stare after him. 
“He’s acting very weird, right?” I ask Kyle who nods. 
“Obviously.” He agrees. 
“But is he acting weird in a ‘I’m about to reject you’ way, or a ‘I’m about to declare my neverending adoration and love’ type way?” I ask. Kyle rolls his eyes. 
“You’re asking the wrong guy. That’s a question for him.” He says firmly. Good point. Steeling myself, I follow Torin out to the bar. 

The bar isn’t usually so full so early. Sure we’re opening a few minutes late, but usually we only see a few people in the first hour or so. As it is, almost all the regulars are here. Is there some event or celebration taking place that I don’t know about? They all keep whispering amongst themselves too. It’s strange. Then I realise that they’re all watching Torin and I. Oh, they all know. I told my brother about the discussion I’m planning with Torin today, and Eli is hanging around him a lot lately. I bet he mentioned it to Eli and Eli told… Well everyone. I suspect all the people here are the people involved in the betting pool. Damn it. Well, I did plan on taking Tori somewhere private to talk. But it seems like half the magical people in the city will know the outcome of our discussion within a few minutes anyway, so I might as well get on with it. I take a deep breath and loudly clear my throat. The room immediately falls DEAD silent. I didn’t know these guys COULD be so quiet. Are they even breathing?
“Tori, I am more than a little bit in love with you, and I know that you love me. So I’m asking you right now, before you can second guess whatever decision you’ve come to. Do you want to try being with me? As an actual couple, not just as friends?” I clarify. You could hear ants footsteps, the room is so quiet as everyone holds their breaths waiting for Torin to answer, me among them. Torin is staring at me, completely unable to believe that I just asked him that in front of everyone. I really hope he says yes because this is going to be super embarrassing if he doesn’t. Plus I just want him to say yes. He takes a couple steps towards me, glancing around the room as if to see how everyone is reacting. They’re all hanging on the edge of their seats. More than one person gives him a thumbs up or a smile which he seems bemused by. Finally, he is standing right in front of me. I swallow nervously. When Torin speaks, his voice is small. 
“Yes.” He whispers. He speaks so softly I would have missed it if everyone wasn’t being so quiet. 
“Yes?” I confirm, my heart leaping. Torin nods. 
“Yes.” He repeats, more firmly this time. A smile crosses my face and the entire bar breaks out into applause. I start laughing at his shocked expression, then without thinking. I launch myself at him, jumping up into his arms. Torin instinctively catches me and I press my lips to his. If the applause was loud before, now it’s deafening, with people hollering and whistling at us. I ignore them all, my attention completely focussed on showing Torin exactly how thrilled I am that he’s agreed. My legs are wrapped around his waist and he is holding me tightly, stopping me from falling. When I finally pull back, we’re both breathless. I unhook my legs and Torin slowly lowers me down to the floor, but keeps an arm looped tightly around my waist, keeping me close. I open my mouth to speak, but before I can, the crowd parts and Anat approaches us, holding a stack of papers. 
“If I may, I have several points on which I require clarification.” Anat says urgently. Huh? Right now? I sigh and nod. 
“Go on.” If this is a riddle I might have to riot. Anat clears their throat. 
“First, who kissed who first and when?” What? It slowly dawns on me. 
“You’re the one running the betting pool?” I ask incredulously. Anat nods. 
“Yes. It is not quite as fun as a riddle, but many people seemed interested in making guesses and participating in the game. It has been quite rewarding. But now I need to know a few things so that I can pay out the money appropriately.” Anat explains. I can’t help myself, I burst out laughing. I always assumed it was Eli running the betting pool, but this whole time it was Anat? I never would have guessed. If Eli were to ask nosy questions, I would probably say no on principle. But with Anat looking at me so earnestly, I find myself answering them, one after another. It should be embarrassing, but mostly I’m just proud of my relationship with Tori. As I respond to the questions, Anat divides up money between the waiting crowd. When I finally finish answering, the largest stack of money goes straight to Kyle of all people. Seriously, Kyle? Still gossiping like crazy, people start ordering drinks again and slowly their attention moves away from us. Sure, they’re still gossiping about us, saying how they knew something would or would not happen and gathering their winnings or bemoaning their losses. I watch them fondly until Torin leans down and his breath brushes my ear. 
“I’m not as brave as you, I can’t declare it to everyone just yet. But I still want to say it. I love you Rina, so much. I don’t know what will become of us, but I know that my feelings won’t ever change. I can promise you that.” He says softly in my ear. And just like that, everything is perfect.