Page 107 of Until Tomorrow
“I get it.” He gently pushed on my foot with his to get my attention. “I’ve had a lot of relationships, so I get it. I told you, I like to keep things more casual because I can’t do another major emotional investment, especially right now. What I’ve got is enough in the emotional department. Admittedly, I like you more than I expected to, but I’m not there either.”
“I still feel bad,” I muttered.
“Don’t. I have nothing but respect for the fact that you can recognize that about yourself. Leaps and bounds above some people… like Chad,” Loren told me.
“Fucking Chad,” I said under my breath. “I’m sorry. I know this was a lot and not all date night appropriate.”
“You do know that it’s okay not to have a rhyme or reason as to how you find people attractive, right?” he asked instead.
“I…” I blew out a frustrated breath. “I get that, but I still want to know.”
“It’s normal to want to know, but it’s also okay not to drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out.” He leaned over slightly in his chair, and I watched a giant grin take over his face. “Oh, our date’s about to be crashed. Ladies!”
I looked over my shoulder to see Eva and Katy practically fall out of a cab, giggling. They looped arms together and magically made it down the street toward us without rolling an ankle in their heels.
“Our boys!” Katy squealed. Letting go of my wife, she practically flung herself at Loren and hugged him tightly. “You smellsogood.”
“You’re so handsome,” Eva told me. She reached out, stroking my face. “I love the beard hairs. They’re so soft. I just wanna bury my face in it and take a nap.”
Oh, she was really drunk.
“Did you have fun tonight, honey?” I asked as I took her hand off my face.
“You know whatyoushould do?” she replied instead. “You should be a firefighter. You have the hose for it.”
Loren busted out laughing while I turned red. Andthiswas why Eva didn’t drink often. It obliterated her filter.
“Oh, wait!” Katy exclaimed. She flew off Loren’s lap, and Eva managed to catch her without also falling. She shushed Eva. “They’re on a date. We’re date crashers! Oh! First, the stage incident and now this.”
“What stage incident?” Loren and I asked simultaneously.
“What happens at fire camp,staysat fire camp,” she said very seriously. Eva’s expression mirrored hers until both women broke down giggling. “Oh, but he was cute. I’d slide down his pole.”
“You’d only make it like… halfway down his pole,” Eva retorted. “Unless he stuffed. And if he didn’t… Lord have mercy on the vaginas that have been sacrificed to that kraken.”
“Release the kraken!” Katy cut in, her voice dropping an octave. It sent both of them into another round of giggles. “Okay, well, bye, boys! We have cookies to go get. Enjoy your date!”
“Have you read a Kraken romance novel?” Eva asked as the two walked away. We watched them until they were safely inside. It took only seconds before Loren was tipped back in his chair, laughing hard.
“Oh, she has no filter,” Loren said breathlessly.
“It’s why she doesn’t drink often,” I replied. “She’s either super silly, super sexual, or she makes grown men cry. There’s no middle ground with her.”
“I will round up a group of douchebags to make the last one happen,” he offered immediately. I just smiled as I glanced inside the shop. Our girls stood at the café counter, laughing hard and clinging to each other for support. While I was thrilled she was having a great time, I also worried about her going home alone.
“I think as much as I’d love to finish our date, I also can’t just let her leave by herself,” I told him. “At some point, those two will go their separate ways.”
“Don’t worry. I already had the same thought. What do you say to a rain check for the second half of our date, and we go join our ladies? I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Agreed.” I grabbed the dishes, and he grabbed the game. We made fast work of clearing off our table and tossing out our trash before going inside.
“Okay, ladies! Who wants to play a game?” Loren asked playfully as we joined them. I sat next to Eva while Loren picked a spot between me and Katy.
His knee bumped against mine, and I put my hand on his thigh, giving it a light squeeze. Loren grinned but never looked away from Eva and Katy as they rambled on and on about what game to play. His fingers traced my knuckles in featherlight touches that had my nerves tingling. And all of it did nothing for how badly I wanted the man.
Chapter 53
Logan
