Page 81 of Follow Me Down

“Next time.” He winks.

“Fine,” I grumble, scooting off of the stool. “I’m going to jump in the shower,” I tell Titus, pressing up to lay a kiss to his stubbly jaw before practically skipping down the hallway.

——

“To Fallon Buckley,the next up and coming artist. Ready to take the world by storm.” Titus holds up his beer, tapping it against my glass of tea.

He looks so handsome tonight, dressed in dark jeans and a black button down. I’ve never seen him even remotely dressed up, and I gotta say, it looks good on him.

“You realize you’ve said that about ten times already.” I giggle.

“And I’m going to say it a hundred more.” He grins over the rim of his glass.

“It still feels surreal.”

“What does?” Titus takes a drink of his beer before sitting his glass on the table.

“All of this. You. Selling my painting. Being away from my father. It feels like I blinked and suddenly my life is completely different.”

“That’s what happens when you choose to stand on your own two feet.”

“Well, I don’t know if that’s completely true. I think you had a lot to do with all of this.”

“You give me too much credit.”

“No, you don’t give yourself enough. I mean it, Titus. Had you not stopped that night... Had you not brought me home with you, who knows where I’d be right now. My life is changing in the most unexpected of ways and it’s all because of you. Thank you.”

“It’s been a hell of a ride so far.” He smiles and the sight makes my heart flip inside my chest.

“I’m not ready to go home yet,” I admit, looking at the empty plates that litter our table. We ate so much food you would think there were four people sitting at our table and not two.

“So then we won’t.” He leans back in his seat. “What else do you want to do?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “I don’t really know what there is to do around here.”

“I might have a couple of ideas.” He winks, signaling the waitress as she passes. “We’ll take the check, please.” She nods, opening her order book before laying the bill face down on the table.

Titus and I both reach for it, but he beats me to the punch.

“I said I was paying.”

“And how do you suppose you’re going to do that? Considering that check is still in your wallet.”

“Crap.” I sit back, realizing he has a point. “I should probably see about opening a bank account.”

“I can help you with that.”

“Titus, I think I can handle opening an account on my own.”

“I know.” He drops cash on top of the bill before shoving his wallet back into his pocket. “I just meant that I can tell you the best places to go.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t there only one bank in Leary?” I give him a knowing look.

“Okay, fine. Maybe I just want to go with you.”

“Careful, Mr. Driscoll. Keep it up and I might think you’re getting sweet on me,” I tease.

“Pretty sure that ship has long since sailed.” He chuckles, finishing off his beer before sliding out of the booth. “You ready?” He reaches for my hand, helping me up.

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