Page 23 of A Tinsel Tale

“Love you,” she replies. I sigh. They are so lucky.

I’m disappointed that Jamie moved from the couch. I do my best nonchalant perusal and spot him across the room standing with a small group of people I don’t know. A couple of cute guys in their twenties and two attractive young women. Jealousy grabs hold of me when the pretty brunette grabs Jamie’s arm, laughing up at him. Seems pretty chummy.

The room erupts in a collective groan, a few F-bombs get tossed out… and I missed it because of course,allof my attention is otherwise engaged. I glance at the game for all of three seconds, then I return to a certain someone who looks up and catches me staring. Our eyes lock. I boldly hold his gaze. My eyes purposefully skim down to the hand still clinging to his arm and I glare. Not gonna lie, I know I’m playing with fire here.Don’t play with matches if ya can’t handle the fire. I finish my beer, stand up then sashay outside for a refill.

Idon’t look up when a blast of noise comes from the door opening behind me. I don’t look because I already know it’s Jamie. His warm palm presses into my back. “Here let me.” He takes over my personal space, his hip and thigh touching mine. “Tilt your cup,” he says. My pheromones go into overdrive at the body contact and I’m here for it.

“Seems like the beer goggles are working in my favor today,” he teases.

I bite back a grin. “Don’t get cocky.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says as he finishes topping off my beer.

“Who’s the pretty brunette?” I ask.

“She bartends at Cheers and Beers.”

“Ah.” I squint at him through narrowed eyes leaning my butt against the deck railing for balance.

“Am I imaginin’ things or did your green eyes get a little greener?”

“Ha! Don’t flatter yourself.”

He leans down and dips his nose nuzzling my hair. “Have I told you that you smell like a little bit of heaven?”

“Is that what you told the pretty bartender?”

He huffs out a breath and rakes a hand through his hair. “Chicago, you have to know you’re the most stunning woman in the room.”

Suddenly the cynicism melts away and I’m standing there utterly defenseless. “But I don’t know that,” I say softly.

Before I know what’s happening, he dips his head and plants the most tender, sweetest, softest kisses at the corner of my mouth. “I’ve been wanting to kiss that freckle since your first day back. I seem to remember having to convince you how special you were way back when. I figured by now you’d be on top of the world and full of yourself. Guess I was wrong. Again.”

I clutch at his jacket and bury my face against him as memories come flooding back. My first kiss, my first crush, my first love, my first lover, my first heartbreak. “I think I’ve regressed,” I mumble into his chest. His scent is activating all of the feels and I know I should pull away. He smells exactly like he used to. But anyone could walk out here and see us and misunderstand. No sooner do I think it than the door opens, and the pretty bartender comes out for a beer. I straighten and pull away, embarrassed.

“Sorry to interrupt,” she says cheerfully. “It’ll just take me a sec,” she promises, then refills her cup. “Have fun you two.” She goes back inside leaving us alone again.

“Busted,” Jamie says chuckling.

There is an awkward silence for a moment, then waving my hand between the two of us, I say, “I know I’m giving you mixed messages and I’m sorry. This isn’t a good idea.”

“I disagree,” he says quietly.

“You would, wouldn’t you? You’re not the one that had your heart stomped on.”

“You don’t think so? Think again. I was fuckin eighteen years old Evie. I lost my way and didn’t know how to handle it. I thought I was protecting you from me.”

My eyes well with tears thinking about the baby we lost. “You have no idea what I went through.”

“Then tell me. Let’s get together and talk about it.”

I shake my head moving away. “Not now. I can’t do this right now. Let’s go watch the game.”

“This conversation is not over Evie. I promise you that.”

“I agree… just not here… not now.” He slings his arm around my waist, and I wiggle out of his hold. I’m still unsteady. Frowning he grips my arm and leads me back into the party without another word.Well,I haven’t lost my touch for killing a mood.

13

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