Page 14 of If You Never Come Back
“What a surprise.” Somehow my tone is easy, casual. A miracle considering the somersaults in my stomach.
He glances down at the bar top where his hand rests. He runs his other hand through his hair. “Sorry for how I left this afternoon. Colin’s car got broken into and he was in a panic when he called me for help.”
“That’s awful. Is everything okay?” I rest my hand on top of his. The warmth of his skin on my skin is divine.
“It will be. Just a long day of filing police reports and dealing with insurance.”
“You want a drink? Sounds like you could use one.”
“Got any good tequila?”
“Best we’ve got is Patrón Reposada.”
He makes a “not bad” face. “Better than I expected.”
I playfully smack his hand before filling a glass. He takes a long sip while I check on the couple seated next to him.
Wes tips his glass to me as if he’s toasting me. “From now on, whenever I drink good tequila, I’ll think of you. That’s a damn good pour you gave me. Perfect amount of ice, too.”
Biting my lip, I glance down, thankful for how my tan skin conceals the heat flashing through me. If I were pale, my red cheeks would be visible from outer space.
“I can do more than just paint pretty pictures.”
“That you can, Shay.”
That familiar flash ignites in his eyes, the same look that pinned me in my bed last night, this morning, and this afternoon. It feels like we’re the only two people in this bar.
He sets his glass on the counter. “Look, I know the standard thing is to play it cool and not seem too eager, but I really like you.”
Slowly, I exhale. It’s bliss hearing him say that.
“I’m here for a month, and I’d like to see you as much as I can while I’m here,” he says. “If you’re interested.”
I am a nodding, smiling fool. “I’d love that.”
He downs the rest of his glass, then stretches his arm out to my face, tucking a stray chunk of hair behind my ear. “Text me after you’re done here. Maybe we can grab breakfast again.”
“Or you can meet me at my place?”
He smiles. “That works too.”
Leaning forward, he kisses me. It’s decidedly PG, nowhere near the wild, X-rated kisses of last night or this morning. We’re in public after all. But it’s still one hundred percent hot. Anything having to do with Wes’s mouth on me is hot.
He pays, we say goodbye, and he heads out the door.
“What did I tell you, cuz?” Remy pulls me into a bear hug from behind.
I tap his arm and he finally releases me. “Fine, you were right.”
“You two are so damn precious already.”
I shove his arm, but his solid frame doesn’t budge. “He’s only here for a month. We’re just having a good time. Don’t get carried away.”
Remy flashes me his best “yeah right” face. “You invited him to your place tonight. For the second night in a row. I’d say that’s veering near ‘carried away’ territory. You’re smitten.”
I toss a tea towel at him, but he catches it easily with one hand. I roll my eyes and bite back the smile aching to spread across my face. Because Remy’s right. I’m smitten for sure.
* * *
