Page 41 of Last Call Lindy Hop
He gave me a weak smile. “Because I tried to kiss you.”
“You tried to kiss me?” I shook my head. “No. I tried to kiss you.”
His blush deepened. “We tried to kiss each other, and we both failed.”
“You mean…”
He stepped in and ran the fingers of his free hand down my cheek. “I still want to kiss you, as long as you feel the same.”
My heart thundered in my chest.
“But first,” he said, and the rustling of the plastic bags caught my attention. “You need to eat.”
My face heated with a blush, but I nodded. “Ok.”
We stared at each other for a minute before I remembered that I was supposed to let him into my dirty apartment—and that I was in pajamas.
I stepped aside. “Um… come in. Sorry it’s a mess. I’ll… I’ll get freshened…”
“You’re fine,” he stated.
“But…”
He shook his head. “I came to see you, not judge your clothing choices. And life is a mess. A spotless apartment is one that’s not lived in.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled, then knelt as I held the door. He reached for something off to the side, and when he stood fresh tears came to my eyes as he presented me with a bright yellow bouquet of flowers.
“Tulips,” I breathed. “How did you know?”
He shook his head. “I didn’t. Kenzie said yellow. So I just grabbed a bunch of yellow flowers. Are tulips your favorite?”
I nodded as I accepted the pitcher-style vase. “I love them, but…”
I frowned as I remembered Connor.
“Hey,” Eli said softly. “Come back to me. Flowers.”
I smiled. “Sorry… it’s…”
“Probably a long story—that you can tell me after you eat. Come on, while it’s still hot.”
“Ok.”
I was silent as I led Eli in, worried that, despite his reassurances, he would be disgusted by my apartment. I looked around, noticing the dirty dishes and the full trash. But I didn’t know how worried I was until he set the bags of food on the table and turned me in his arms. He took my trembling hands in his.
“It’s ok,” he said softly, then brushed a tear from my cheek that I hadn’t noticed slipping out. “I know you’ve been struggling.”
I leaned against him, and sighed as he wrapped his arms around me again. I felt so safe there.
Eli’s hand rubbed up and down my back until I stopped trembling.
“Sit,” he murmured. “Where are your plates and silverware? I’ll get it for you.”
I nodded into his shoulder, savoring the scent of his cologne. “Silverware is in the top drawer next to the stove. Plates are above the microwave.”
“Ok.” He kissed my hair, and I shivered at his touch.
