“No, you don’t.” I teased. “So let’s hear it, whatwouldyou like, pretty girl?”
She glared at me and unbuckled, but when she leaned across me, my laughter was cut off at the knees—I froze as the scent of strawberry, amber, and something warmly sweet, like honey, invaded my adrenaline-spiked senses while she shouted through my window, “Could I have one soft taco, please?”
I stifled a laugh and added with a smug gleam. “Deluxe.”
“Yes, deluxe.” She emphasized tartly, giving me a roll of her eyes before sliding back down into her seat. Stubborn as ever.
I slowly rolled towards the first window, passing my credit card to the annoyed-looking worker, who was not amused with my apology.
“Don’t forget, I always know what you want.” I reminded Sara and leaned back against the headrest, just watching her.
“Not always.” She muttered, giving me a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “For your information, I don’talwaysget a soft taco.”
“Yes, you do.” I chuckled, passing her the warm paper bag.
Sara casually sorted the tacos between the two of us while I parked the car facing an emptyfield.
“Nice try.” I chuckled, moving the extra one she’d ordered back over to her side.
“You’re going to make me eat all this?!” she demanded with mock offense, even as she devoured her first one, already completely ensconced in the task.
I shrugged. “Clean plate club, don’t let me down, Devereux.”
“No promises.” She rolled her eyes, mumbling through an adorable mouthful, and I watched intently as she took another massive bite.
I couldn’t help but admire the way the streetlamp illuminated the rogue curl that was hanging over her face, like a baroque painting. The image was certainly more beautiful than any of the priceless paintings I had hanging on my walls or hidden away in my portfolio.
I desperately wished I could take a picture of her, something to take with me, but I knew it’d spoil the moment. Not to mention, my phone was back in the ditch. So I just watched her with quiet admiration instead, trying to burn the image of her into my mind—every little perfect, bewitching detail.
Earlier tonight she’d been flawlessly elegant, just like she’d planned, no doubt. She’d descended those stairs with her shoulders back, smile wide, not a hair out of place, looking enchantingly beautiful andnow—her natural curls were fighting their way out of her polished hair style with a vengeance and it wasn’t even a question in my mind. I preferred her likethis, hair a bit frizzy—partly my doing, I supposed—a little undone, comfortable, guard down. It was sous.
These moments with her, there was something vastly intimate about it, and I knew I’d miss it.Miss her.
I smiled to myself as she inhaled her food like a cute little gremlin, heavy breathing intermixed with small sounds of satisfaction. It made my mind wander, despite my best efforts.
She suddenly looked up at me with a sheepish grin, wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. “What?”
I smiled softly. “Nothing.”Everything.
“You’d better hurry up, Kensington, or I’m going to beat you.” She threatened, always so competitive.
I chuckled, knowing exactly how this would go as I reached for a taco. “It’s not a race, you know.”
“You’re just saying that because you’re behind.” She said through another adorably determined mouthful, while I proceeded to shove the entire thing into my mouth in what was essentially two big bites.Not behind anymore.
She tried to match my pace, but it left her with furious eyes and chipmunk cheeks.
“Rookie move.” I teased, already crumpling the wrapper and dusting off my hands.
She mumbled something I couldn’t interpret through her mouthful, but I was pretty sure it was a colorful string of curses. I smiled to myself, knowing everyone always thought she was such a goody two-shoes, but I knew better. She was comfortable enough to let her guard down with me, and show that unfiltered side,and I loved it.
I opened her yellow Gatorade with a grin. “Almost there, don’t fold yet.”
She rolled her eyes but grunted in thanks, taking the drink. A moment later, after several slow, laborious bites, she finallywith great defeatpassed her leftovers over the console, which I happily polished off,like I always did.
We just sat like that for a long while, staring out into the dark field, neither of us saying anything. Comfortable silence. Easy. Familiar.
Until the question burning in my mind finally had to be acknowledged. “So, who were you with?” Her gaze dropped, and I nudged her with my elbow. “Come on, you can tell me anything.”
