Page 87 of The Second Dance
I close the distance, heart hammering in my chest.
She’s a mess. Her hair’s out of place and she’s got a little smudge of dirt on her cheek.
And she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
“When are you going to learn to dress right?” I ask, hoping I masked the huskiness of my voice.
“Never.” She grins, smile slipping when she looks at me. “What happened to your hand?”
“Smashed it.”
“You need to be more careful.”
“You’re one to talk. Your car is stuck… again.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Tears start spilling over her cheeks.
My heart bottoms out. I’m pulling her into my chest before I even make the decision to do it. “Hey, I’m just teasing. I was happy to hear from you.”
She presses her cheek to my chest. Her voice is muffled by my shirt. “I’m just a little weepy.”
I run my hand over the back of her head, through all that soft hair. “Because of the car?”
“Because of all this.” She turns her head, staying safely tucked in my arms, and looks out over the pasture. “It looks great, Bo.”
“Somebody inspired me.” I murmur. “Even if she was a little rude at times.”
She laughs, turning back to press her forehead to my chest. “I missed you.”
I take a shuddering breath and squeeze her tighter. “I missed you, too.”
She feels so good in my arms. Like we’re two halves of the same heart.
“I’m sorry for the way things turned out between us.” She murmurs.
“You make it sound like it’s already over.”
“Isn’t it?”
I put my finger under her chin and tip her face to look at me. “Not if I have any say in the matter.” I run my thumb along her jaw. “I didn’t fight hard enough for you back in high school. I was trying to give you space to make your own mind up, but I think I stranded you instead.”
“High school was a long time ago.”
“I know. But it’s still fresh on my mind. I guess that’s what happens when you never stop thinking about someone.” I point up the lane. “We parked right there. You were funny and sexy and I was totally out of my depth with you. I told you things about myself that I never told a soul, and you listened to me without making me feel small or stupid. And I know things went south after that, but I have never, not for one second, regretted putting you in my pickup truck that night.”
“I don’t regret it, either.” She whispers.
“I guess I’ve been waiting around.”
“For what?”
“For the second dance.” I swallow hard. “We’ll get it right this time around.”
“How do you know?”
“Call it a hunch.” I search her gaze. “I think maybe I love you.”
Her lips pull into a lopsided grin. “I think maybe I love you, too.”