Page 73 of Take My Name
“Tryin’ to remember when our last kiss was and if I knew it would be.” My voice unexpectedly cracks at the end, and I try to cover it up with a cough, but he notices.
“It was the day you left after the holidays. January second. You had to get back to work. We fought most of the time, you were beggin’ me to move and said if I didn’t, then we might as well end things. Your bags were packed and you stormed out of the trailer. I was furious you gave me an ultimatum, but I couldn’t let you leave without kissin’ you. So I rushed outside as you were throwin’ your suitcases in the trunk. I pushed you against the door and kissed you.”
His gaze lifts to the ceiling for a moment before finding mine again.
“That was the last time,” he whispers.
Tears well in the corners of my eyes, but before I can stop them, they fall down my cheeks.
“I remember that,” I choke out, the vivid memory now resurfacing. God, he looked so hurt when I drove away. “I think deep down I knew it’d be our last time.”
“I suspected it too,” he says softly.
I lean into his touch when his thumb brushes over my cheek to wipe away the tears. When my vision clears, I notice his eyes are glossy too.
Without exchanging another word, Warren pulls me in closer until my head rests on his chest and my arm wraps around him. His heart pounds against my cheek, and I wonder if he can feel mine beating rapidly too.
Warren and I dance for another few minutes before we decide to finish our desserts. The conversation shifts tosomething more light-hearted and once I’m physically unable to stuff any more food in my stomach, I tap out. Warren smirks, then steals the rest of my strawberries.
“You ready to go?” he asks when I groan at being this full.
“I’m gonna have to be cut outta this dress.”
He chuckles, pulls out my chair, and bends down to lift me.
“What’re you doin’?” I ask frantically, grabbing my clutch before wrapping my arms around his neck.
“You said earlier you needed to be rolled outta here, so I’m helpin’ ya out.”
“I didn’t meanliterally, Warren. Put me down.”
“Too late. I like carryin’ you.” He winks and walks out of our private room.
“Everyone’s gonna see us!” I whisper-hiss.
“Sweetheart, the restaurant’s been closed for an hour. No one’s out here.”
I look around the main room and see he’s right.
How long have we been here?
JoJo’s at the hostess station, waiting and watching us with a devious grin.
“Thanks again, Aunt JoJo.”
“You kids have a good night…” she says, but I don’t miss the suggestive tone in her voice.
I give her a little wave of gratitude and then Warren’s walking us to his truck. He sets me down briefly to open the passenger side door before helping me climb inside.
“Good?” he asks after I buckle in.
Good? Sure, if you consider the pit in my stomachgood, then I’m freaking great.
“Yes, thank you.”
My thoughts are jumbled while he drives us to his house andI pretend to play with the music, not sure how to end our evening without breaking down. The conflicting feelings are becoming too much. I wish there were a clear vision of how this was going to play out.
Especially when it’s costing him his heart.
