Page 83 of Houston, We Have a Problem
I freeze, my heart sinking. And not just because he’s changing the subject, which probably means I’m on the right track. No, my heart sinks because I’m quickly realizing I made a mistake in telling him Darcy was going to Albuquerque. Did I mention in the video that I was in Albuquerque? I’m pretty sure I did. But maybe he didn’t make the connection. “You watched it?”
Houston fights a more natural smile as he watches me try not to panic. “Yeah. Why is that so terrifying?”
Maybe I’m safe? “I guess it feels weird to connect to a viewer. They’re usually faceless masses in my head.”
“So, I’m just a viewer?”
Oh, he’s definitely more than that.
Houston nudges my arm when I don’t reply. “Well, it really was great. You should do more inspirational stories like that. You really seemed to enjoy that one.”
He’s not wrong. Harrison was so sweet after he realized what I was saying, and he tried to refuse the money that I offered him. Or, he did until he realized it was part of a sponsorship by a company hoping to help patent his putter. “The putter may not have been perfect, but it was really well made,” I tell Houston. “Regardless, I knew going into it that Harrison was probably the reason the ball went in every time, but he was convinced itcouldn’t be skill over craftsmanship. I felt like someone needed to acknowledge his talent.”
Houston lets his smile loose, hitting me with its full force and almost making me glad for the change in subject. “Are you going to tell more stories like that?”
I decide to be brave and take one step toward admitting the truth. Chad is right, and my time is running out. I’d rather Houston hear the truth straight from me, but that’s impossible. “I’m actually trying to get a director spot over a new segment that will focus on people who defy the odds and do great things.”
“That’s amazing! You’re a shoo-in, I’m sure.”
“Well, that depends.”
“On what?”
“On the story I find here.”
Frowning, he glances around the empty diamond as if he might find the story lurking about. “Little League?”
If only… “No, there’s something else here. Something big. I’m not sure what it is yet, but the board is looking to see what I do with it when I find it.”
As he considers that, Houston’s eyes go distant. Wherever he’s gone, it’s taken his smile away, and I really don’t like that. But how do I get it back?
“What are you thinking about?” I ask instead of assuming I can read him at all right now. It is way too dangerous for me to start thinking his shoulder is going out when I don’t have any hard evidence to support that theory.
He surprises me with his ready answer. “I’m thinking about how you’re going to go back to St. Louis as soon as your job is done here.”
He’s…what? “That was always the plan,” I say, too confused to think of anything else. Why would that matter? For Darcy, sure, but Tamlin? We’ve only been friends, if that, though my mind wanders back to the way he held me at the gala. Andthe look he just gave me on the diamond. Both are moments I’ll relive for the rest of my life. “I need to get back to my office eventually.”
“What if you didn’t?” He turns, blue eyes boring into mine.
And even if the question could easily be an innocent one, my heart doesn’t listen. It beatsmine mine minein my chest until I can’t help but cross the distance and press my lips to his.
At first, he’s frozen, understandably shocked by my forwardness. But then he slides a hand behind my neck and dives into the kiss. For about five seconds. Then he jerks away and touches his thumb to his lips as he stares at me like I’m the culprit here.
I am. He’s right. That was so completely stupid!
“I’m sorry,” I gasp, and I mean it. I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t good for my sanity, and worst of all it only complicates things for Houston. He’s probably beating himself up inside because two women are throwing themselves at him and he can’t figure out why he’s attracted to both of us. Maybe that’s entirely wrong and I am in over my head with this whole thing.
That last part is definitely true.
“I’m sorry,” I say again because the first time didn’t feel like enough. “I know we said we’re only friends. And that’s good. Itshouldbe that way. I didn’t mean to—”
His mouth is on mine before I can finish that sentence, hungrily searching for an answer to a question he didn’t ask. Though a voice in the back of my head tells me to quit before this blows up in my face, Houston’s lips speak louder. He’s drowning out all of my thoughts, pulling me deeper and deeper until the only thing I’m aware of is how familiar this is. It doesn’t matter that our first kiss was only two days ago or that Houston thinksthisis our first; Houston Briggs feels like home, and a future,and every dream coming true with each brush of his lips on mine.
When he breaks away, a little moan escapes out of me, missing the contact I just shared with him. I’m being greedy, and I barely care.
Houston cares. His gaze is hard and full of concentration as he examines my face. Touches my lips with his fingertips. Leans in close again.
And then suddenly he’s gone, stalking toward the parking lot without looking back.
