Page 14 of Fall Twice

“Team effort, I like that.”

I begin to walk away but stop and turn halfway back to her and point a finger. “You didn’t tell me what you want to drink.”

“It’s okay. I’m sure you remember.” She says it so easily as she begins to fill my plate.

Two minutes later, I return to find her talking with the wife of Walter, one of my colleagues from my department. I nudge her arm gently and pass her a glass of dry white because she hates red and anything fruity. She offers me an appreciative look as she continues with her conversation about local parks.

I look into my club soda, and Walter comes to my side. “Did you hear about the funding that might be released by the alumni?” he tells me as he drinks from his bourbon.

My sight drags away from Lena to land on my forty-five-year-old colleague. “For one night, you don’t want to leave work at the door?”

“What’s gotten into you? Normally you are all work and no play. But you’re right, except the dean is in a good mood tonight, so it’s a prime time to drop some hints for our research project.”

I sigh and return my gaze to Lena who is laughing at something. Stepping closer to her, my hand cups her elbow, and she tilts her head in my direction. I lean down close to her ear, and that smell of macadamia nut washes over me again.

“I’ll be right back, I promise.” My voice is low.

“Of course.” She peers up, and if I were to move my feet even an inch then my nose would graze her soft skin, and I nearly groan from the thought.

Departing, I can tell she’ll be fine. She was always a social person.

But forty-five minutes later, the guilt sinks in. Finally, I’m able to make an escape from the dean and Walter. The jazz music in the background doesn’t distract me from finding Lena in the library off the main hall. I arrive just as Walter’s wife leaves. Slowly, I approach Lena whose back is to me as she examines the books on the wall.

She must hear my footsteps, but she doesn’t acknowledge it.

I stand behind her and my hands land on her sides, causing her breath to hitch. Our bodies are closer than they should be, but neither one of us breaks the contact. I swear I can feel her shiver.

“My apologies. This wasn’t what I meant by accompanying me tonight,” I softly tell her with my mouth nearly able to feel her hair.

She turns in my hold and her eyes are genuine and gentle. “Completely okay. Besides, Walter’s wife was able to give me a bunch of tips for places to take Oscar and which pediatrician to go to. Sothank youfor bringing me along.”

I move to brush a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Any time.”

Her cheek moves ever so slightly into my hand, and she inhales my scent.

In another era, I would step until her back hits the books and I would slam my mouth onto hers, and she wouldn’t protest.

Our eyes connect, and I wonder if any memories cross her mind in this moment.

I remove my hand and swallow a lump in my throat. “You know, we made an appearance. Do you want to get out of here?”

“Oh?” She seems almost startled by my turn of the scene. “We haven’t been here that long.”

My mouth quirks out. “It’s fine. I’ve spoken to the dean enough, and hopefully, you were able to get seconds on that apple thing.”

She nods and licks her lips. “Okay, if you say so. I have an early flight anyhow.”

I attempt to smile in understanding.

It’sa quiet drive back to her hotel, and the moment I park my car, the tension could be cut by a knife. I turn the engine off, but I don’t move.

“Want me to walk you inside?” I offer. Lena’s eyes nearly bug out, which causes a need for me to correct her thoughts. “It’s innocent, I swear.”

The light from the dashboard only highlights her head tilting to the side in doubt. “It’s okay. I think if…”

Thank fuck. I know it would have been a dangerous move.

“If?” I have to ask, as my curiosity is piqued.

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