Page 22 of Sunflowers and Surrender

He returns my smile with a curious smirk.What’s that about, I wonder.

We sit down to the usual banquet food of rubbery chicken floating in some sauce I can’t identify, a vegetable medley, and a baked potato that could second as a doorstop. Luckily, the banter about the table keeps the dinner moving along, and the awards ceremony is short. As the plates are removed, and the DJ begins spinning dance numbers, I take another look around. Still no sign of Alex. Perhaps he decided to skip this year’s gala with Ricky being away.

“Would you like to dance?” Gavin asks.

Wow. Guys never seem to initiate dancing. I have to drag them onto the floor. I might as well enjoy the rest of the evening. “Sure. Why not?”

Alex

I hadn’t planned to attend this banquet. Ricky’s away, and I can’t bring the one girl I want to spend the evening with. But I’ve been able to think of nothing but her since that night in the bunk room. My sweet, innocent Sunny had shocked me. So bold and unashamed, calling my bluff. She knew how much I wanted her, and now I’m tortured by the very clear visual of what I can’t have.

Tuesday always seemed to come alive at the yearly squad and firefighter banquets. As with most girls, I’m sure it was a great reason to get dressed up and dance. I hadn’t confirmed she was going, yet with the ticking of the clock, morbid curiosity had me putting on my suit, hopping in my truck, and driving downtown.

Only to find her all dolled up and dancing with another man.

There was no missing where Tuesday was in this crowd. Wearing an evening gown that makes her look like a Hollywood starlet, she stands out from all the rest on the dance floor. It’s a beautiful jade form-fitting, floor-length dress. The color matches her eyes. There aren’t any flashy sequins or a lot of skin showing as Ainsley would wear. It’s sophisticated and timeless, just like my girl. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders in waves, and my hands itch to run my fingers through it.

Who is this guy? I know all of the players from fire, rescue, and the police department, for that matter. Word travels quickly in this town, making it nearly impossible to hide the romantic conquests that occur. The married police officers who are hitting it with the dispatchers. The brothers in the fire department from different stations who are unknowingly being played by the same fireflies. And don’t get me started on the soap opera drama of EMS. But this guy is new.

Keeping my distance, I sip on a scotch and watch. He’s respectful of her personal space but still entirely too close. Is this the kind of shit I’m going to have to succumb to for the rest of my life? Watching the girl who got away dance with someone else because I pushed her into their arms?

All because I was too chicken shit to go after what I wanted?

The dance number ends and is replaced by a slow song. Great. A Bruno Mars tune. As if on cue, her date pulls her in, and she sways to the music, her hands resting on his chest. At one point, she tosses her head back and laughs, and he smiles down at her.Fuck, does he have two dimples to my one?

I take another sip of my scotch, my jaw feeling so tight my teeth could start popping out of my face at any moment. Observing them, I’m unsure what to make of this. Has she already moved on? I’d have it coming if she did. Sure, I have a lot to lose if things go south with her, but isn’t that the risk you take when you find the right girl? I’m twenty-five fucking years old. I can’t keep ping-ponging from one meaningless relationship to another because I’m afraid of what might happen. It’d just be so much easier if the first time I was interested in a relationship, it was with someone else. Not my best friend’s little sister and the daughter of the coolest parents ever.

All of a sudden, I see Tuesday’s date tuck her hair behind her ear, leaning forward to whisper something, and I snap. Tossing back the rest of my scotch, I place the glass on a table and charge in their direction.

“Excuse me. Tuesday, I need to talk to you for a moment.”

She barely pulls her eyes away from her date to answer me. “What about? I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“It’s private. And it can’t wait.”

When did this girl get so sassy? She just fucking rolled her eyes at me.

“I’m sorry, Gavin. I’ll be back.”

Once we’re in the hallway, I reach back for her hand and can’t help muttering, “No, you won’t.” I continue walking down a long corridor toward the restrooms when I hear her say from behind me.

“What’s this about, Alex? I haven’t heard from you in-”

Unable to hold back any longer, I grab her arm and pull her behind an ornamental tree, pushing her up against the wall. My lips crash onto hers, and my body hums in appreciation of the much-needed connection. My tongue darts through her lips, her taste equal parts sweet and sinful as I devour her. Tuesday Palmer feels like the very air I need to breathe.

“I can’t fight this any longer, Sunny. I surrender. Your brother will probably kill me once he finds out, and your family will lose all respect for me. But you’re all I think about. And the thought of another man’s hands on you is going to push me over the edge.”

“What are you saying?”

I lean in so close you can’t slide dental floss between us. Her gorgeous body fits me perfectly, her unique floral scent entrancing me like a drug. I’ve never felt this way before. So out of control. Is this what it’s like when you’re falling in love?

It’s now or never, you idiot.

“I want it all with you, Sunny. If I have this chance and it doesn’t work out… if I lose Ricky and your family when it’s all over. It’ll all be worth it. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to see that. I was just scared.”

“Are you sure, Alex?” She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her incredible rack further up her strapless gown, taunting me. “The Katy Perry hot and cold routine is getting old.”

“I know. I’m sorry. We need to keep things under wraps a little longer to ensure Ainsley doesn’t come after you. Plus, your brother leaves for medical school in a few months. I’d like to have a chance to spend time together before we break the news to him.”

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