A hunger of another sort flared in me. “Now, I need to kiss you and eat something. And not necessarily in that order.”
“I see where I stand.” He joked as he leaned across the table towards me, meeting me halfway in a searing kiss.
All too soon, my senses were overwhelmed with the smell of cheese, garlic, and freshly baked bread, and I tore myself away from Jackson, moaning in pleasure at the food that had been placed on our table. Our gazes met, and my stomach flipped in joy as it finally sunk in that we were ok. He was here. He still loved me and wanted to be together, and I hadn’t lost him.
“I’m not used to feeling like this. I’m not always going to get it right, but if I mess up or stumble, I’d rather do it by your side than anyone else’s. I couldn’t. I have all this love for you inside of me and nowhere else to put it if you aren’t here.”
I continued because, now that the flood gates had opened, I didn’t want ever to close them again. I was an idiot for keeping my feelings hidden from him in the first place. “You know what the worst part was? Life kept going on, and the one person I wanted to share it with wasn’t there, and it was my fault. I was scared that I’d wake up from this incredible dream to find out I’d made you up in my mind.”
He reached across the table to hold my hand, and that simple touch sent shivers across my skin. “I felt the same way.”
“Really?”
“Audrey, I’ve never met anyone like you before. I never thought I’d understand what it meant to want to share the rest of my life with someone until I met you. I was just as scared that this was too good to be true, but that’s what made me realize how much I love you.”
“Do you think it’ll ever stop feeling that way?”
“I hope not.”
I watched as he shuffled his chair around the table until he was seated next to me.
He stared deeply into my eyes, leaning in close. My breath hitched as I let myself fall into those turquoise blues, murky in this light, or perhaps it was the force of the passion I see reflected at me.
My own eyes closed as he cupped my cheek, and I instinctively leaned into his touch. His lips were feather-light on my other cheek before hovering by my ear. “Tell me again.”
I opened my eyes and tried to convey every ounce of love I had for him. I placed a kiss against his palm. “I love you.” Then I leaned in to kiss him.
I planned to say it again and again and continue until he knew it was real and forever. And then I’d continue because I never wanted to stop telling him.
37
Audrey
Wow.
I … wow.
How many weeks had I been agonizing over tonight? How many hours had I put into pulling everything together?
As I looked around at the eclectic mix of high chairs, bar tables, and barrels, I couldn’t be prouder. Winnie had absolutely made a great call in using Jeff’s handy work to solve our last-minute hire issue. After we’d banded together, everything had gone relatively smoothly.
Guests were everywhere, mingling now that the official tasting had ended, and I was pleased to see most of the sold-out crowd had stayed behind to purchase more drinks and talk with Jeff and Julie about the distillery.
Tiff and I were celebrating with a pitcher she’d thrown together before relieving herself of her bar duties. I’d told her that I hadn’t intended for her to work tonight when I’d asked her to curate the drinks list, but she’d insisted that she needed to oversee, and I didn’t fight her. Who else would understand the need to make sure your hard work was honored?
“The decor is better than the bar. Maybe I should think about a revamp,” Tiff said, admiring the brass accents and greenery I’d arranged to decorate the bar tops. Everything harkened on natural, earthy elements; to marry in with the oak touches.
I’d done rather well if I did say so myself. Not out loud, of course.
“Agree that you’ve done an amazing job,” Tiff said as she poured me another drink, “or I’m cutting you off.” Damn, she knew me too well.
I took a sip of my drink, my smirk catching on the rim. “Yes, you’re doing a real good job of that so far.”
She placed a jug of water down. “There. Responsible service. Now can you please just admit that you did an amazing job tonight? I mean, just look at this place.” She motioned to the room, where at least half of the crowd was still milling about, laughing and talking. Somewhere in there were Jeff and Julia, as happy as I’d ever seen them. I could just about spot Julia’s wild curls from my bar stool.
I rolled my eyes, but it was likely ruined by my wide smile. “Fine. It went well.”
She cleared her throat, but I remained reserved. “Ok! It went really well.”
