Page 11 of Waiting For Fate

“So, are you going to this haunted trail thing too?” Tank asks, taking a drink from his water glass.

“What?” I shoot a confused glance at Taylor.

“Of course he is! I was going to tell you, I swear. We all talked about it and we’re going back to the haunted trail this year. I mean, it’s perfect since you’re back home now and we get to officially add Ruby and the guy’s as honorary haunted trail members.” She grins, looking around the table and before I can stop it, my mind travels back to that one night.

Her nails in my skin.

My name on her lips.

Her scent surrounding me.

“I’ll be there.”

CHAPTER 4

LEAH

“I think the raspberry is my favorite. What about you?” Jackson takes another sip from his margarita and grimaces.

“I’m honestly trying here, but I don’t know how you like these.” He shivers and I can’t help but laugh when he sets his glass back on the tray.

“They’re not as good as Shane’s but they’re not terrible.” I giggle, taking another sip of my drink.

“Well maybe I’ll have the honor of trying hers sometime. In the meantime, I think I’ll stick to what I know.” He waves the waitress over and orders a beer before resting his elbows on the table and turning his attention back to me. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” I tilt my head, stirring my drink to give myself something to do.

“I can’t remember. Maybe you should tell me again.” He grabs my hand in his and I swallow past the nerves creeping up my spine.

“You look beautiful tonight.” I chew on my bottom lip in an effort to keep myself from grinning like an idiot.

Was he this smooth the first time we went out? If so, how did I miss it?

“Thank you.” I smile, feeling my cheeks warm when he winks at me. “Okay.” I clear my throat, tossing my hair behind my shoulder before I take another sip of my margarita. “No work talk, sooo… What do you like to do on the weekends?”

“Well, there’s the boring stuff like laundry and reading of course. I’ll usually go for a run when it’s nice out, and Sundays are reserved for football when it’s on.” He takes another sip from his beer before putting it back on the table. “What about you?” He tips his chin up at me with a smirk that keeps catching my attention.

“I also do laundry and read on the weekends. But I do not run. If I’m running, it’s safe to assume someone is chasing me. I do go to the gym with my friends though, when we can fit it into our schedules. And every Sunday I have dinner with my parents.” I smile at the thought of them, and his eyes soften on me.

“That sounds really nice. I take it you guys are close?” His fingers brush along mine before he takes my hand in his again.

“Yes, very. My mom is like one of my best friends and my dad and I have always had a really good relationship. They mean everything to me.” He smiles and then narrows his eyes on me.

“So, are you into sports at all?” He squeezes my hand a little tighter and looks over his shoulder. “Because I could have sworn I caught you peeking at one of the games playing behind me.” He chuckles and I feel my cheeks heat.

“Sports? Yes. Football? Not so much.” I scrunch my nose in apology, but he turns around completely to see what’s playing on the flatscreen on the far wall of Casa Taco.

“A hockey girl? I would have never guessed.” My stomach twists when he smiles at me and I inwardly curse myself for giving into the temptation to check the Badgers score.

“Yeah, I got into it during middle school and it just kind of stuck.” I pick up my margarita and finish it off, willing the conversation to change.

“Maybe I can take you to a Badgers game sometime.” I damn near choke to death on my drink when those words leave his mouth.

“Are you okay?” Jackson grabs my water glass from the table and slides it to me.

“Yeah, I’m okay. Just…went down the wrong way.”

Someone dig me a hole to crawl into, because I’m pretty sure I’m in the process of dying from embarrassment.

“You sure?” The way he’s caressing my arm as he makes sure I’m not going to continue my gasp for breath makes me feel like I’m in good hands. I nod my head and take one last sip of water as he leans back into his seat. He only waits a moment before he continues our conversation.

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