Page 41 of Dream with Me

Troy’s eyes dart around the room, looking everywhere but at me. “Uh... no.” My stomach sinks. Is he lying? Why would he feel a need to lie unless he doesn’t want to tell me more about it? The only reason I can think of why he wouldn’t want to tell me about it is if he went with someone else. “Um, we should go eat before it gets cold. I’ll grab the bottle, and you grab the glasses.” He’s trying to change the subject.

When I follow him into the eating area, I notice he’s managed to put the bed away. I force all the questions I want to ask about the wedding to the back of my mind. Did he go alone? If not, what does that mean?

With the first bite of his eggplant parmesan, my taste buds rejoice. I let out a low moan of pleasure. Troy’s deep chuckle fills my ears.

“So, it’s safe to say you still enjoy it?” Troy’s tone is teasing and lighthearted.

“Meh, it’s all right,” I deadpan. I meet his eyes and grin at him. The relaxed expression on his face makes him even more handsome. It’s a look I haven’t seen on him in so long.

We spend the next twenty minutes eating and talking without interruptions from our littles. Don’t get me wrong, Ilovethe almost chaotic activity of dinner time with the kids. It’s been a long time since Troy and I spent time alone talking. Not fighting, not voicing frustration with each other, not ignoring each other. Just talking.

It strikes me that I miss this. Troy was my friend before he was more. Eventually, he was my best friend, my boyfriend, and then, my everything. That I miss him.

CHAPTER24

SHANNON

I help Troy carry our dishes to the kitchen, and it dawns on me that I’m not ready to leave. Dinner was... nice. I’ve been nursing the same glass of wine throughout the meal, and when Troy gestures to the bottle, then my glass, I shake my head no. If I weren’t driving, I’d be all about adding more to my glass, but I need to make sure I’m safe to drive.

I glance down at my watch. I still have two hours until I have to be home. I probablyshouldgo somewhere and study. Yet I don’t want to.

“Do you have to go?” Troy asks. He’s scratching his head and looking down at the tile floor. It’s clear he expects me to say yes.

“I could stay for a little while. I-if you don’t mind.” My voice is hushed.

Troy’s head whips up, and his face betrays he’s pleased. He’s sporting the most gorgeous smile. “Yeah?”

I nod, giving him a slight smile back.

He glances over at the coffee pot. “Would you have any interest in meeting me in the living room for drinks?”

I laugh out loud and grin broadly at him. “That might work on me,” I tease. “But if you’re gonna get back out there, you’ll have to work on your pickup lines.”

As the words come out of my mouth, they taste bitter, and I want to reel them back in, especially when I see the smile fade from his face, and he pierces me with those green eyes of his.

He says nothing but doesn’t stop staring at me. As I’m opening my mouth to apologize, he steps within a foot of me. Not enough to make me feel crowded, but enough to be clear it’s on purpose.

“I don’t need pickup lines, chiclet.” My breath catches at the use of his old nickname for me—one he hasn’t used in several years—his voice low and gravelly. It’s that voice I still dream of when I dream about us. Hey, a girl has needs, and if they’re not being met, it’s normal to have sex dreams. It’s normal for them to be about your soon-to-be ex-husband. Right?

Holy hell, is it hot in here?

I swallow past the lump in my throat, fighting the pull of my body telling me to move closer to him. I force a deep breath in, then out.

“D-do you have coffee?” I squeak out, and heat rises in my cheeks. I’m fully aware that I’m probably blushing, but, Jesus, what does the man have his heat on? That’s the only possible explanation for how I’m feeling. Well, that and the glass of wine.

Okay, it’s not the wine.

The sexy grin Troy gives me causes my heart to flutter. Maybe I should leave. Clearly, I’m having some issues with my... urges tonight. Before I can freak out too much, Troy steps back and turns toward the coffee maker, preparing to make a pot of coffee.

“Meet me in the other room. I can bring it to you. If you want me to quiz you for your test, I’d be happy to.”

“‘Kay.” My voice is quiet, and I scurry out of the room. I go to my bag and pull out my study questions. Why doesn’t he need pickup lines? Because women flock to him naturally? Because he already has someone, or isn’t looking? I shake my head to clear my thoughts and get ready to study. Truthfully, I’m well prepared, and I probably don’t need more studying tonight, but there’s a sense of safety in having my book out. It eases my nerves about the fact Iwantto be here. It’s a legit reason to be here. At least one I don’t have to question. Though, if I scratch the surface of my emotions right now, I know there’s more than that keeping me here.

When Troy walks into the room with the coffee, the distinct, rich aroma perks me up. I love coffee. It doesn’t matter what time of day. Even without having my sweetener here, I’m looking forward to it.

Troy passes me the mug, careful not to let go until he’s sure I have it secure, something he’s always done. It warms my hands as I lift it to my mouth while watching him take his seat at the other end of the couch. My eyes widen when the first sip hits my taste buds, and I hold it in my mouth for several long seconds before swallowing. When I lower the steaming cup, I keep it in front of the lower part of my face, like a barrier between my emotions and him.

“Is this my sweetener? My ‘sugar syrup,’ as you call it?” My voice is shaky. I’m not sure if I’m ready for his answer, though I know it’s a ‘yes.’

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