Page 43 of Catch You

A soft smile plays on my lips.

“No. I was a teenager when Brooke and her father opened my eyes to it. It was a few years later that I knew I wanted a career that allowed me to give back to the community.”

“Because of losing your family?” Corey guesses.

I nod as a lump of emotion crawls up my throat.

“I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.”

I shrug, not really wanting to talk about it when we should be enjoying ourselves. Thankfully, Kat chooses that moment to reappear with our drinks and take our orders. I haven’t even glanced at the menu, so when Corey immediately places his order, I ask for the same, trusting that he knows what’s good.

“So, why LA?” I ask once we’re alone again, hoping to turn the conversation away from my past. Nothing good can come from that.

“I needed a chance, and the lure of the sun and the ocean was too much.”

“Fair enough.” I can’t really argue; we do live in a beautiful place.

The meal is incredible, just like Corey promised. The conversation between us after touching on our pasts was light, and just being with him made me feel so comfortable. As we make our way out, I can’t help butterflies erupting in my belly. What’s next?

His fingers lace with mine, but no words are said between us. Knowing that he’s also lost people he loved helps me understandwhy we might have the connection we do. Unlike most people I meet, I think he actually understands. I know it’s not unusual for people to have lost their parents young, but the way it happened isn’t all that common, or for them to all be wiped out at the same time. Everyone is sympathetic, but they don’t get it, not really. Even Brooke, who lived through some of the aftermath with me, can’t possibly understand.

We climb into the car and Corey heads back onto the highway. Silence fills the space, but it’s not uncomfortable—totally the opposite, in fact. If anything, his presence is soothing.

“I … uh … don’t know where I’m going,” he says after a few minutes.

“Hang on.” I wake up the GPS and hit the home button so he can follow it before sitting back in my seat and watching the sun setting into the ocean.

“Penny for your thoughts.”

I sigh and turn back to look at him. The concern on his face makes my breath catch. His brows are pulled together, and there are creases in his forehead.

“I was just thinking about what you said about it being a great place to live,” I lie.

He’s silent for a beat, and I worry he’s about to tell me I’m talking shit. Thankfully, after he turns back to the road, all he does is agree.

“Thank you for today. I never would have thought it, but it was exactly what I needed.”

“Oh yeah?” His familiar cocky smirk appears, making his dimple pop up.

“I’m sorry I left like I did this morning,” I say, addressing the elephant in the room.

“I’m sure you had your reasons, although I do hope they weren’t due to my performance.”

His grip on the wheel tightens until his knuckles turn white, and heat floods my core knowing that he’s reminiscing about our time together.

“I don’t think your ego needs me to tell you that wasn’t the reason.”

“It always likes being stroked.”

“Oh my God,” I laugh. “I’m sure it does.”

He reaches over and places his large, burning hot hand against my thigh, and I tense.

“Relax,” he mutters when he feels my muscles tighten beneath his touch.

“I’m sorry.”

“Get out of your head and enjoy yourself.”

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