hear Talia’s parents talking and Anna’s fork scraping on her plate, but none of it fully registers. I’m drowning in Talia’s eyes, in her smile, in her gaze, and I never want to come up for air.
Too bad I have to. When Anna asks Talia to pass the bread, the spell is broken.
The remainder of dinner flies by in a flurry of food and conversation. It doesn’t feel stilted or forced like it used to at Emmy’s. And eventually Anna stops looking at us with suspicion. By the end of the evening, I’m sure that I’ve won the entire family over. It’s a first for me, and I can hardly believe it.
“I don’t know who that guy was in there, but he can come back any time,” Talia teases when she walks me out to my car after dinner.
I hate that she thinks this is an act. However, at her words, doubt takes root. Isn’t it an act ? She’s right. I’m not the nice guy or the sweet guy. Can I really pull this off long term?
“Is that a promise?” I murmur, leaning in to nuzzle her cheek.
Playfully, she pushes me back. Her gaze flickers to her house.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “If someone’s watching they’ll probably think it’s weird if we don’t kiss goodnight. That’s what boyfriends and girlfriends do, right?”
This sways her, and she moves her face closer to mine, angling it just right. My pulse thrashes in my veins. Not because we’ve never kissed before. We’ve kissed plenty of times. However, tonight feels different. Slowly, I draw my hand upward, gently caressing her cheek with my thumb. Then I tilt my head, angling our lips. Our mouths brush, once, twice, nothing more than a whisper, a tickle. Her hands find my waist as our lips meet again. This time I press down more firmly. Our lips connect and disconnect in rapid succession, our tongues melding together. It’s delicate, this push and pull we have going on. At times the kiss is frantic, but other times it’s slow and gentle. One thing is certain. It’s unlike any kiss we’ve had before.
When we separate, I’m taken aback by her fearful expression. It’s definitely not what I was expecting.
“Um…” Backing away from me, she scratches the top of her arm. A cold breeze skates over our skin. She shivers, goosebumps rising on her flesh.
“Where’s my jacket?” I ask.
“Oh.” She peers over her shoulder. “You want it back?”
I shake my head. “No. I want you to wear it, especially now if you’re cold.”
“It’s okay. I should get back inside anyway.” Eyes darkening, she starts to spin around.
Desperation blooms in my chest. Without thinking, I reach out and grab her arm. “Wait.” Stiffening, she slowly pivots to face me. “Did you mean what you said about coming with me to my dad’s wedding?”
She freezes. “Um…yeah, I did. Why? Are you thinking of going?”
Why had I asked her that? It was the first thing that popped into my head, and I wanted to say anything to keep her here with me. But there’s no way I can go to the wedding. “No,” I say quietly.
“Then why did you ask me that?” She steps closer, and my heart picks up speed. It’s working.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing right now. I’ve never been like this before. Never felt like this before. Oh, man, I’m turning into a bad love song. If I was smart, I’d get the hell out of here now.
“You must have been considering it if you brought it up.”
“Maybe.”
“It could be fun.” She smiles.
“What part of it would be fun?” I’m dubious.
“Weddings are fun. They’re like a party.” She shrugs. “There’ll be dancing and music.” Her hips sway slightly as if she’s already there.
And just like that, I’m sold. The thought of Talia in my arms swaying her hips like that is enough to make me do anything. Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity. Weddings are romantic. She’ll see me in my tux. I’ll be a gentleman like I was tonight. Plus, she’ll want to comfort me because
Too bad I have to. When Anna asks Talia to pass the bread, the spell is broken.
The remainder of dinner flies by in a flurry of food and conversation. It doesn’t feel stilted or forced like it used to at Emmy’s. And eventually Anna stops looking at us with suspicion. By the end of the evening, I’m sure that I’ve won the entire family over. It’s a first for me, and I can hardly believe it.
“I don’t know who that guy was in there, but he can come back any time,” Talia teases when she walks me out to my car after dinner.
I hate that she thinks this is an act. However, at her words, doubt takes root. Isn’t it an act ? She’s right. I’m not the nice guy or the sweet guy. Can I really pull this off long term?
“Is that a promise?” I murmur, leaning in to nuzzle her cheek.
Playfully, she pushes me back. Her gaze flickers to her house.
“Don’t worry,” I say. “If someone’s watching they’ll probably think it’s weird if we don’t kiss goodnight. That’s what boyfriends and girlfriends do, right?”
This sways her, and she moves her face closer to mine, angling it just right. My pulse thrashes in my veins. Not because we’ve never kissed before. We’ve kissed plenty of times. However, tonight feels different. Slowly, I draw my hand upward, gently caressing her cheek with my thumb. Then I tilt my head, angling our lips. Our mouths brush, once, twice, nothing more than a whisper, a tickle. Her hands find my waist as our lips meet again. This time I press down more firmly. Our lips connect and disconnect in rapid succession, our tongues melding together. It’s delicate, this push and pull we have going on. At times the kiss is frantic, but other times it’s slow and gentle. One thing is certain. It’s unlike any kiss we’ve had before.
When we separate, I’m taken aback by her fearful expression. It’s definitely not what I was expecting.
“Um…” Backing away from me, she scratches the top of her arm. A cold breeze skates over our skin. She shivers, goosebumps rising on her flesh.
“Where’s my jacket?” I ask.
“Oh.” She peers over her shoulder. “You want it back?”
I shake my head. “No. I want you to wear it, especially now if you’re cold.”
“It’s okay. I should get back inside anyway.” Eyes darkening, she starts to spin around.
Desperation blooms in my chest. Without thinking, I reach out and grab her arm. “Wait.” Stiffening, she slowly pivots to face me. “Did you mean what you said about coming with me to my dad’s wedding?”
She freezes. “Um…yeah, I did. Why? Are you thinking of going?”
Why had I asked her that? It was the first thing that popped into my head, and I wanted to say anything to keep her here with me. But there’s no way I can go to the wedding. “No,” I say quietly.
“Then why did you ask me that?” She steps closer, and my heart picks up speed. It’s working.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head. Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing right now. I’ve never been like this before. Never felt like this before. Oh, man, I’m turning into a bad love song. If I was smart, I’d get the hell out of here now.
“You must have been considering it if you brought it up.”
“Maybe.”
“It could be fun.” She smiles.
“What part of it would be fun?” I’m dubious.
“Weddings are fun. They’re like a party.” She shrugs. “There’ll be dancing and music.” Her hips sway slightly as if she’s already there.
And just like that, I’m sold. The thought of Talia in my arms swaying her hips like that is enough to make me do anything. Besides, it’s the perfect opportunity. Weddings are romantic. She’ll see me in my tux. I’ll be a gentleman like I was tonight. Plus, she’ll want to comfort me because
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