Page 61 of My Heart To Heal

‘Tessa, I need to be real clear with you because I think that’s fair,’ I start and she giggles, moving close and putting her hand on my thigh just as Missy passes our booth to go to the ladies’ room and meets my gaze.

‘I’m not looking for marriage,’ Tessa says, but I’m still looking in the direction of the restrooms. ‘Nick,’ I swallow and turn back to Tessa, ‘I just thought we could have some fun together.’

‘No,’I snap and slide away. ‘I was just being polite, Tessa. I’m sorry.’ I stand from the booth. ‘I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea.’ I notice her face fall, but it’s not her that I’m concerned about right now.

Heading toward the restrooms, I feel like a creeper as I hang around in the narrow corridor outside the ladies’ room until Missy comes out and freezes when she sees me there.

‘Miss,’

‘Hey.’ She smiles, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. ‘I thought you were otherwise engaged.’

‘No, I was just being polite. I’ve known Tessa a long time.’

‘She’s pretty.’

I shake my head. ‘She’s got nothin’ on you.’

It takes her a second, but I see the flicker at the corner of her mouth before she taps my arm.

‘Flatterer.’

‘I’m not interested in Tessa, Miss.’

She shrugs. ‘Not really my business, Nick. I’m not your girlfriend.’ I hold her gaze until she looks away, neither of us addressing it directly, both of us refusing to admit that what we have is more than casual. ‘Just do me a favor, okay? If you are hooking up with anybody else, please tell me. I don’t want to be a part of anymess.’

‘There’s nobody else, Missy.’

‘Okay. Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have a song to sing.’

She walks away, leaving me standing in the corridor alone, and I lean back against the wall. Get some balls, Barber. This conversation needs to happen, and it needs to happen tonight.

‘Feel like dancing, Miss?’

She smiles at me, not a wide, excited grin but a sweet, genuine smile, and she nods.

‘Yeah, show me what you got.’

I take her hand and lead her to the dance floor, then turn her into my arms. It feels nice to be able to hold her this close in public. Dancing isn’t weird or suspicious. We’re just two friends moving to the music — so why is my heart racing in my chest?

A couple of hours ago, I was resigned to this casual bullshit, too afraid of scaring her off to make a move, but now, after the way she watched me with Tessa, and the look on her face, and after she sang my favorite song while looking me in my eyes; this is more, I know it is.

‘I like dancing with you, Nick Barber.’ She grins up at me, and my heart stutters.

‘I like dancing with you too, Missy Morgan.’

I could kiss her. It wouldn’t take a lot. Her face is already tipped up, her lips just below mine. I could just drop my head and take them, show everyone here that she’s mine, but I suspect she would kick my ass if I did.

‘Miss.’ My heart races at the idea of risking what we have, but I have to do this. ‘Can we talk outside for a sec?’

She holds my gaze and swallows, and I reckon she knows what’s coming. She nods yes, and I gesture for her to lead the way.

Following Missy out to the front of the bar, I’m nervous but hopeful. She can’t deny our connection. Can she?

The cool air hits my skin, alerting my senses and bringing a sense of reality I hadn’t felt in the comfortable bubble of the bar. In there, with Missy smiling up at me, I’d been so sure. Now, I’m nervous. I don’t want to fuck this up — I’m afraid of getting it wrong. I’m terrified I’ll push her away.

‘Nick,’ The sound of my name has me turning to find her smiling at me. ‘It’s cold. Can you talk fast so we can go back inside?’

She folds her arms across her body, hugging herself against the winter evening air, and I hesitate. Maybe I should just forget this, say yeah, let’s go back in.

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