From Rome with love

2: The kissing contest

*Dahlia*

 I watch as Shakira talks to Bren, telling him that I am free and needs a vacation. She looks at me. "Bren wants me to put him on the speaker".

 "Sure". I say, suddenly feeling nervous. I mean I haven't seen Bren for a long time. I haven't seen anyone. And I wonder if he is still the same guy. "Hi Bren".

 "Hi Dahlia, Wow it's been a long time. How are you doing darling ?" His voice sounds, only slightly warped by the phone.

 I smile to myself, I can still see his smile for my inner eye. "Oh I am doing fine, Well except for feeling kind of like I need a recharge.. and you ?"

 "Oh, besides being dumped right before the romantic trip I bought for her, I feel rather good". He says softly.

 "I am so sorry to hear that". I am sure he didn't deserve that. "But she can't have been the right one then".

 He chuckles. "No I am right about that.. but Shakira says you feel like a holiday, and I kind of have one extra.. if you are up for it.. don't worry there are two beds and you don't have to spend all the time with me".

 "Are you sure Bren ? There isn't someone you would rather bring ? I mean I would love to see Rome, but I don't want to budge in". I glance at Shakira.

 He makes a small thoughtful sound. "Nah, can't really think of anyone more fun.. unless you are not the Dahlia I remember.. sounds like a good way to get reacquainted, if you want to of course ?"

 And suddenly the doubt is gone, it has to be something in his voice, but I just feel totally at ease with the idea. "Actually I would love to, but you need to let me pay for half the trip".

 "No need for that darling, it has been paid and I can't get the money back". He says, just as I expected him to. "But you can pay the fee to change the name on the ticket if you want to".

 "Definitely, I insist on paying that". I tell him. If he is still the Bren I remember I need to stand fast or I know he will end up paying everything for me. "It is going to be fun catching up".

 We talk a bit more and I make sure Bren has my number, he promises to send me the details. Unfortunately we don't really have time to meet up, so we are not going to see each other before the airport.

 "See everything worked out perfectly". Shakira says after hanging up. "I am sure you and Bren are going to have a great trip. You always hit it off so well".

 I bite my lip thinking back. She is right, we did always have fun together. Bren is such a fun guy to be around. But Shakira must have read something on my face. "Is something wrong Dahlia ? Is there something I don't know ?"

 "Don't tell Bren.. or anyone else for that matter". I say and she nods looking very curious. "Well I kind of used to have such a major crush on Bren, back when we first met".

 "What ?" She stares at me. "You had a crush on my brother ? Why.. well why didn't you two ever.. Why didn't anything happen ?"

 I look at my nails, should I get a manicure before going ? "I don't think Bren ever saw me as anything but a friend. And honestly I suck at making a first move. But I even, well I mean I .. well it's kind of embarrassing, but I kissed him once".

 "Oh wow what ? You kissed him.. when ? What did he say ?" She looks like her eyes are about to pop out, and I hold up my hand to make her lower her voice, which she does. "Didn't he kiss you back ?"

 I sigh, well it has been more than 5 years, so I guess I can tell her. "Well it was at the wrap party for 'Land of settlers’ and to start with the beginning it was all because of one Colin Hanson and too much champagne".

 "Okay this I need to hear". She is leaning closer.

 Blowing a strain of hair from my face I start. "As I said, it was the wrap party and Colin had been.. Well kind of flirting with me all evening.. I was so nervous because I didn't know if I would ever see Bren again. I mean often on set you feel like you become friends with people, but as soon as it is over and done, so is the friendship. So I had gotten just a bit to much champagne. I don't handle alcohol very well".

 "So you were wanting to make a move on my brother and Colin was… trying to get into Your knickers ?" She says grinning.

 I roll my eyes. "I am not sure what Colin wanted, and I don't really know how our conversation ended there, but he was betting me that he was a far better kisser than Bren". I know my cheeks are going red.

 "And ?"

 "Well Colin kissed me…you know to prove he was right". I scratch my neck. "But I told him that I needed to kiss Bren or I couldn't decide, so well in my less than sober state I went over to Bren, grabbed him and kissed him".

 She looks rather amused. "And the verdict ? Who was the better kisser ?"

 "Well.. Let's just say Colin didn't stick around to get an answer". I can't help giggling. "I think he felt he didn't need to... anyways once we broke the kiss he was gone".

 "But if he kissed you back, and from what you tell it must have been a rather long and good kiss, then why did nothing else happen ?" Her eyes go wide. "Nothing else happened, right ?"

 I take a sip of my water. "No, nothing else happened. Bren realised I had had too much to drink, so he walked me to my room, said good night and kissed my cheek". I sigh. "I was embarrassed that I had acted like that and Bren, Well he never mentioned it or made any move to take our relationship more than friendship. And then he got back with Mitsy and well yeah.. but it is a long time ago".

 "Well you are both single now and Rome should be such a romantic city". She says with a little grin that says it all.

 I shake my head. "Don't get Your hopes up. We are going as friends. I don't think Bren has ever seen me as anything else and it's not like I still have a crush on him".

 "Well you have not seen Bren in a long time, who knows, sparks might re-ignite". She says, before focusing on Timmy.