Page 50 of Always

“Not really. She was a townie.”

“Meaning?”

“She lived in town. Probably still does. The townies tended to look down on the rural kids.”

“They did?”

“Yeah. Not all of them. But Maralee was a little too big for her britches. I’m honestly surprised she recognized me.”

“I get it.”

“Do you?”

“I grew up on the south side. Of course I do. Ben and I were expected to go straight to the construction site and help our father after school. Plus get our homework done and pull in straight A’s. Sleep was a commodity for us back then. So yeah, we were looked down on, but we didn’t have the time to worry about it.”

“It doesn’t sound like the same thing to me.”

“I’m not saying it was exactly the same. But I wasn’t one of the popular people, either, Skye.”

She says nothing more until Maralee returns.

“Sorry it took so long.” She places my water in front of me first. “What can I get you, sir?”

“It’s customary to take the lady’s order first, I think.”

Skye’s cheeks redden.

So do Maralee’s. “Oh. Of course. What’ll it be, Skye?”

Skye meets her gaze, burning two holes in the waitress with her eyes. “The special.”

“Make that two,” I say.

“Sure. Do you want anything else to drink?”

“Just water,” I say.

“Yeah, water’s fine,” Skye agrees.

“You want to tell me more about your high school days?” I ask once Maralee is gone.

She smiles, and for a moment I think she may, but then she shakes her head. “Not really. Maybe someday. But honestly, Braden, high school wasn’t anything to me. I did well, and I got into BU. So Maralee didn’t lower herself to talk to me. I wasn’t bullied, just ignored. It’s not something that lives in my soul or anything.”

“Whatdoeslive in your soul, Skye?”

She breathes in. “A lot of things. I’m figuring it out, Braden. I’m figuring it out.”

Interesting. I believe her. I’ve gotten pretty good at reading her, and I don’t think her issues stem from any high school experience. Time will tell if I’m right.

After a tasty lunch—Skye was right; the pasta was to die for—we head back to the hotel where my ride is waiting. I go up to the room, grab my luggage, and give Skye a long, open-mouthed kiss. My cock is ready to take her here and now, but I force my other head to rule.

It’s time for me to leave.

“See you soon,” I say. Then I get into the cab.

As we drive away, I watch until Skye is no longer visible.

Back to New York for me.

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