Page 24 of Falling for You
Now it was Evan’s turn to be bitter. “You’re kidding, right?” CeCe kept her gaze on the tabletop as she twisted the straw until it snapped in half. “CeCe,” he said, his tone sharp. “You are kidding, aren’t you?”
Finally CeCe looked up, barely able to look at his shoulder. The look of defeat on her face gutted him like fish. “I am sorry. I feel a little dowdy compared to those three.” Her eyes drifted around the space, looking anywhere but at him. “My thirtieth birthday is barreling toward me, and I guess I’m self-conscious about it.”
Wanting to give the moment the respect and time it deserved, Evan swallowed past an instant retort. Give the man a blank notebook, and he could fill it with all the things he loved about CeCe. Her age never meant a damn thing to him, but clearly, he’d miss how much it truly bothered her.
“Please pay attention, because I’m only going to say this once.”
Just as he got started, the waiter returned with CeCe’s whiskey. She greedily reached for the glass, downing half the contents in one gulp. She grimaced at the burn, but didn’t interrupt him. “I’m into you, CeCe. Like, really,reallyinto you. I pretty much just sang my heart out telling you that fact. Your age doesn’t bother me. I’m sorry it’s bothering you; I really am. I wish you could see how wonderful you are.”
CeCe thrust her hand toward the Ambers, clearly ready for a fight. “They are gorgeous. Can’t you see that? They love karaoke and they’re age appropriate.”
Evan pulled back and raked his hands through his hair. “Do you really think I’m that shallow? That I’m going to take you out, only to dump you at the first sign of another offer? Damnit, CeCe. I like you, and I wanted us to have a real date. I wanted you to share in some of my hobbies, because I hope we can keep doing this.” He dropped his hands and motioned between them.
To her credit, CeCe seemed slightly embarrassed by her outburst, but she didn’t say anything. Taking his thumb, he gently tilted her chin up until they made eye contact. Her eyes were glassy, from the smoke or unshed tears he wasn’t certain. “I want this to be it, CeCe. I want us to date and go out and enjoy ourselves.”
CeCe licked her lips and swallowed twice before responding. “And you’re sure about the age thing?”
“I hate to break it to you, but it’s barely five years. That is nothing.”
“It’s not nothing to me, Evan. I’m about to turn thirty. I don’t sing karaoke, and I don’t have breasts up by my earlobes.” She was distracting him with humor, but he wouldn’t crack a smile.
“I happen to like your breasts, and I don’t expect you to sing karaoke. If you’re having a horrible time, we’ll leave and never speak of this again.”
“I’m not having a horrible time,” she said, her voice low. “But I don’t want to hold you back.”
“You’re not holding me back. Damnit, can’t you see that I want to be with you? Withyou, CeCe. The same CeCe who makes me laugh and puts me in my place. The same CeCe who taught me how to make bread, even though I never let it rise long enough. The same CeCe who loves her job so much it’s given me a new passion I didn’t realize was missing? What more do I need to do to prove that I’m into you?”
For what felt like an eternity, neither of them breathed. They stared at each other, the only sound between them that of another contestant belting out the wrong lyrics toSummer Loving. Perhaps these conversations should have happened outside?
CeCe was the first to move, reaching out for her glass and downing the remains in one go. This time she covered her mouth as she coughed, pulling herself free from the booth and stumbling toward the door. Evan caught up to her in a few paces and carefully snagged her elbow to stop her retreat.
“I can’t breathe in here,” she mumbled. Evan looped her arm through his and led the way outside. As soon as they were back at his car, he opened the passenger’s door and waited for her to step inside.
CeCe studied him, her frown marring her lovely face. He hated that he was responsible for that look of disappointment, and he regretted bringing her here. What was meant to be a light-hearted evening had quickly turned into ammunition on why they weren’t suited.
Tossing her purse into the car, CeCe hesitated before getting in. They were so close, he could smell the hint of vanilla at the nape of her neck, could see the scar at the bottom of her ear from where she’d fallen as a kid. She’d told him that story one night when they were closing up together. It was a silly story, but Evan treasured anything she was willing to give him. Right now, he’d give almost anything to hear her voice, for her to say anything that reminded him of who they were—who they could be.
They were friends, friends with a whole lot of potential. Surely this magnetic pull wasn’t one-sided?
“I think I could be serious about you,” CeCe finally said, the words shaking Evan back to the moment. “And I don’t know what to do about that.”
Evan felt his heart explode in his chest. “You do?”
CeCe slowly raised her hand until she cupped his cheek, having to stand on tiptoe to make up for their height difference. How easily he forgot her height when they were together. She was such a force, she filled up every space she was in. Her energy, her passion for what she did, radiated around her.
Even now, standing outside with only the din of the pub surrounding them, CeCe was all he could see, feel, and touch. Her thumb swiped around his lips, making him shiver. “I do.”
Words escaping him, Evan closed the distance to kiss her. It was slow, tender. They were feeling each other out, finding the angles where they fit best. Cradling her face in his hands, the world around them evaporated. CeCe moaned, and Evan swallowed it, wanting to savor every little thing she gave him. Kissing CeCe felt crucial, like he’d die without her touch, die without having the privilege of her.
As they drove home, Evan held CeCe’s hand, trailing over her knuckles with his finger. “Oh no.” She gasped and turned to face him. “We didn’t stay to see if you won.”
He brought her hand back to his mouth and kissed her palm. “I won,” he said confidently. He didn’t need to see her reaction to know she understood. CeCe was all the prize he needed, and he made himself a promise. No matter how rocky the road got, he was never letting go.
