Page 20 of Everything I Desire

“How so?” I ask stepping closer to him.

“Because we were in Senior year and she’s only sixteen. And because I loved you, Adelaide. That’s why.” He leans down like he’s going to kiss me. But then he pulls away and steps back from me. He runs his hands through his hair, taking a deep breath.

I step into his space. I grasp his face in my hands, standing on my tip toes to get as close to him as I can. “I loved you too. Still do.”

He steps away from me, flustered by my admission and decides instead of talking about it, to change the topic. “You look like you’re on your way somewhere.”

“I’m going to the school to finish up some last minute stuff so all the kids can just enjoy the fling.” I motion toward the door where my box of decorations sits, letting him have this.

“Ugh. Don’t remind me about themenjoyingthe fling. I don’t want to know what that Eric boy thinks he might enjoy.” He cringes again. “Do you need some help? I could use the distraction. Plus, I might need some advice.”

I put my hand on my hip, “First of all, Eric is a sweet, and shy boy, straight A student, and Kayla is the first girl I’ve ever seen him hang out with. You shouldn’t worry so much. Second of all, yes I could definitely use your height so let’s go.”

I grab the box and go to put it in my car. Porter stops mid-way to his driveway with his keys in hand. “What are you doing?” he asks.

“Getting in my car?” I give him a questioning look.

“We are not taking that thing. Get in my truck.” He continues walking toward his passenger’s side to open the door for me.

I secretly love that he’s so alpha he wouldn’t dare be seen in my little Subaru. It reminds me of thePorter from high school. He always drives, he always opens my door, and we always take his truck. Even if I came to visit him at Ronnie’s shop while he worked on something he came to pick me up.

I feign being annoyed with him that he is forcing me to go in his truck, “You know, there is nothing wrong with my car.”

“If you’re a foot shorter than I am. Get your ass in this truck.” He smiles, taking the box from my hands so I can haul myself up into the passenger seat.

I breathe in deeply, relishing in Porter’s scent that surrounds me. A slow smile graces my lips for a brief moment at the memory of the first time I ever got to ride in Porter’s beat up truck. I had done the same thing that night when I reveled in his scent surrounding me.

We get settled in, and I turn on my favorite country station, he groans about it but doesn't change the station.

“Can I tell you something and get your opinion on it? You always give the best advice,” he asks.

“Sure you can. What’s up?” I turn in my seat to face him.

“Ronnie asked me if I would buy the shop from him so he can retire. Apparently Patricia wants to live at the beach in Florida.”

“What? Porter! That’s amazing! That was your dream all through high school. What do you need my opinion for?”

IfPorter buys the shop, that means he’s staying. If he stays, it’ll make convincing him that we need each other in our lives easier.

“Well. Ronnie said he wouldn’t make me get a loan, but what if I fail? What if it goes under?” he asks that last question on a whisper.

“Porter, you have been around cars since you were little, you had customers find you here from your shop in New York to do their custom jobs. The custom jobs alone could probably float the shop, and you know no one from Lupine Valley will go anywhere else.” He’s always doubted himself, but not me, I have never doubted him for a second. Not in anything.

I was at his house with him and Kayla when he got the first call from a guy in New York. When the customer found out he wasn’t at his shop in New York anymore, Ed gave the guy Porter’s number. He called him and agreed to drive to New Hampshire to have his Corvette redone.

Apparently Porter has built quite the name for himself in the vintage car world if that guy was willing to drive that far.

“I just don’t want to let Ronnie down, ya know?” he shrugs.

“I know. Ronnie means a lot to you, but you also know he wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t believe you would carry on his shop and be a success.” I place my hand over his thigh. “You should make the decision based on what is best for youand what you want, because you will absolutely succeed without question.”

“Thanks, baby. You always believe in me when I don’t believe in myself.” He looks over at me as he parks at the high school gym.

We sit for a moment in silence, staring at each other. I keep thinking he’s going to kiss me, I can feel his muscles twitching under my palm on his thigh in restraint.

“Come on, let’s make this the best Spring Fling ever for Kayla.” He breaks the silence.

Once again, a missed opportunity.

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