Page 63 of Free to Believe
Eyes widening behind her glasses in amusement, she coolly says, “Thank you,” before turning back to Brendan to ask where the next stop on his tour is.
For Christ’s sake, is she planning on ignoring me all night? Well, the most important thing is she’s here for Jenna’s birthday. Clenching my teeth hard, I stay silent while the conversation flows around me.
That might have continued until a waiter walks up to begin taking our drink order. Emily flashes him a welcoming smile. The young, good-looking fucker seems to take that as an invitation. When he brushes his thumb over her shoulder the first time, she stiffens. The second time, she struggles to move forward. The third, and I grip his wrist. And not lightly. “Touch my date one more time and I’ll not only take off your wrist, I’ll see to it you never work on the island again,” I growl menacingly.
Just as the words fly out of my mouth, the manager of Cru steps in to see how we’re faring. His face turns a mottled shade of red. “Troy, out,” he barks.
Scurrying off, the waiter shoots me a filthy look. Even as the manager is offering us his profuse apologies, I lean over to her. “You’re not walking back to your car alone. Brendan or I walk with you. Do you understand?”
Nodding, she reaches for a drink of water. “Your date?” Her eyebrows are practically in her hairline.
“It was the first thing I could think of.” And I want it to be true so badly, I can taste it.
Emily shrugs. “Fine.” She turns her attention back to her menu.
Hooking an arm over the back of her chair, I ask, “Are you okay? Do you need a drink?”
“Yes. That was…annoying.” Her lip curls in a mild sneer.
Happy to be on speaking terms with her, I ask, “Wine?”
“What can you tell me about the Garden of Elyx?” She taps the cocktail list. “Will it quench my thirst?”
“I can guarantee you, you’ll leave here never forgetting the taste.”
“Is that so?” Her finger rubbing her lower lip, she shakes her head.
I inhale deeply and smell mint, something I know I will forever always associate with her. “Yes.”
Turning away from me, she picks up her napkin and lays it gently in her lap. “Is there any way to get a taste to see if I like it?”
“You’ll love the taste.”
“Hmm, if that’s the case…”
My eyes bore into hers. “You’ll love it. Don’t even try to convince me otherwise.”
She shrugs. “It was kind of a letdown. New things tend to be.”
“Or it could surprise you. Maybe you should try again.”
“Or maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Go for something safe. Like white wine. There are some perfectly acceptable wines on the list. Like theEn Remilly.”
“Take a chance.”
“Why?” The word is barely a breath on her perfect lips.
“Because…” Suddenly I’m sick of playing word games. Suddenly I just want to say the words pounding through my head. “Because when I’m with you, I’m willing to believe that any amount of time might be enough. Because I want to be your choice for however long you choose. However much of yourself you’re willing to give.”
Her lips part of their own accord. Her breath comes out jaggedly. “I can’t promise anything.”
“I know.”
“Then where does this leave us?”
“Right now? With you ordering a drink.” I raise my hand to the manager to call him over. The manager is at our side in a moment. “What can I get for you, miss?” Holding my breath, I wait while she places her order, knowing that she’s doing more than just that. She’s at a flash point—making a decision on whether or not to give me another chance. Because if I go at her with everything I’ve got, I know I have a good shot at breaching the walls she has to keep out sadness and pain.
But what she doesn’t realize is they’re also the same walls that keep out joy and love.
