Page 20 of Perfect Strangers

She nods and heads toward the back. A deep sigh escapes me as I stand outside, waiting for Major to open the door.

“You guys can head out. I’ll finish up.”

The sound of his voice still gives me chills as I catch him walking toward the door. I step back, allowing him to unlock the door, and open it, giving me the chance to escape the crisp, bitter air.

I step inside, thanking him for letting me in. He locks up behind me as we motion further inside the empty restaurant.

I hear the last of the servers exit the back door, wishing him a goodnight. All of a sudden, the nerves kick back in, and I force my body not to tremble. Major waltzes past me, heading toward the kitchen. I follow, unsure of what to do next.

I had this whole plan, sorted out in my head, and now I’m utterly speechless. I don’t even know where to begin.

Major grabs a rag and begins to wipe down the counters and surfaces of the kitchen. I take a seat at that same counter I did, all those years ago.

Just as I’m about to muster up some words, he speaks above me. “So, you wanted to talk.”

My throat clears. “Well, yes. I…I.”

I look away and breathe out.

I turn back around, to find Major staring right at me with those dark eyes. I’m caught in his gaze, unable to look away as though he has a hold of me. The same hold that’s perplexed me so many times before.

“What’s on your mind Dylan?”

I chuckle. “Oh, just a million things.”

He drops the rag and steps closer, standing right next to me as I sit in the stool. “Trust me, I understand.”

I give him a puzzling look. “You do?”

“Of course, I do. Why are you even here right now, after all this time. I admit, the remaining of dinner service didn’t go as smooth as usual. The thought of you distracted me and I was off my game tonight.”

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

He bends down so he’s eye level with me. “Don’t be. I liked the surprise.”

The familiar scent of his cologne hits my nostrils and suddenly all my nerves melt away. I catch his eyes study me, as though I’m a fixture of his imagination. His face tells a story of its own as his eyes curve along my cheeks, down to my lips.

The shrill of his cellphone interrupts us and he stands, answering the call. “Yeah.”

The sound of a female voice echoes from the phone’s speaker and I watch as he looks out toward the front of the restaurant.

“Ah shit, I’m sorry.”

He rushes toward the front and, because I’m nosey, I decide to follow him. A gorgeous brunette stands at the front, waiting to be let in. Major unlocks the door for her ushering her into the restaurant.

She shivers from the cool air. “Ahh finally. I was knocking on that door forever.”

“Sorry Mia.”

At that moment, my heart sinks into my chest as I watch him plant a kiss on her cheek.

She smiles in return. “You all set? Everyone’s waiting for you.”

“Yeah, just give me a few minutes. There’s something I need to handle.”

She huffs. “It’s your birthday party! What could you possibly –”

She turns toward me as I still, caught in the act of eavesdropping on them. I jump out from behind the shadows.

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