Page 54 of Meet Me at the Metro

My breathing grows laborious as his fingers give into the thread of tension lingering between us, drifting to the side of my face to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

His following words are in complete opposition to everything his body language says.“I don’t know if we should do this, Nora.”

“Liar,”I respire. “Can’t we have this, Theo? Just for tonight.”

In answer, he brushes a soft knuckle down the side of my cheek. He draws my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilts my head upto meet his as he allows the space between our lips to close. The last verse of the song echoes through the hall as his mouth meets mine.

“Honey, how it ain’t so funny. Funny girl.”

All at once, I start to realize something wonderfully terrifying—if I didn’t have it bad for Theo before, I sure as hell do now.

16

SCARED

T H E O

God, she tastes so sweet.

Nora’s lips feel so natural against mine. With one single damn kiss, she’s threatening to break down every single one of the walls I’ve put around myself. This game of keeping my guard up is growing tiresome because the way her mouth feels on mine is really starting to convince me that I don’t have the control in me to keep doing it anymore.

Not now, in this moment with her. Not now that I know how naturally my body calls to hers so long as I let it.

Wiltonshas always held such fond memories for me, and I’ll be damned if this place hasn’t managed to conjure up yet another one for me to etch in my mind.

I’ve slowly been coming to terms with how much my eyes seem to enjoy watching Nora, but seeing her tonight, the way her face lit up in response to the music hall and the performers, felt addicting. Despite all of my internal efforts not to, the sight of her child-like excitement had me grinning like a fucking fool.

You know, Barbra Streisand has never exactly been my cup of tea, but after tonight, I may be taking a bloody liking to her.

Nora’s lips draw away from mine, all reddened and glossy. She tilts her head up to me, her cheeks flushed and doe-eyes sparkling from the lights hanging from the tall ceilings looming above us.

If I could, I’d drown my mind in this memory alone. I’d surrender myself to this moment—to the sight, touch, and taste of this girl.

Unfortunately, the rush of emotions that thought stirs has me remembering the other person who had a similar power over me. I haven’t felt this way since Millie, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified to let my defenses down after everything I went through with her.

Should I start treading on waters that I’ve spent the last several years avoiding? What if this ends exactly how that did? What if—

“Theo?” Nora’s soft voice interrupts the start of my restless thoughts so effortlessly.

I let her have my attention, too, distracting myself with every feature of her sweet face.

She is just too damn pretty.

I think the worst thing about that thought is that it’s not the first time I’ve had it. It’s just the first time I’ve really allowed myself to admit it.

I swallow and force myself to speak. “What do you think?”

“I think this is perfect. Thank you for bringing me here. Thank yousomuch.”

Her arms sweep around me in a gracious hug. I don’t let her see it, but I smile as her head falls against my chest, amused at how the top of it only manages to reach my shoulders. There’s no stopping my hands as they tilt her chin back up so I can lose myself in the sea of sapphire that's her eyes.

I swear blue might just be my new favorite color.

She blushes at my intent stare. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I’m surprised when I immediately answer her back, not an ounce of hesitation left in me as I admit, “I’m thinking about how fucking bad I want to kiss you again.”

“So then do it.”

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