It’s rare that I’m aware of a memory as I’m making it.
“What do you dream about?”I ask.
All of his focus is on the point where he’s touching me.I want to burrow into him, press myself into his skin, the way I feel him being stitched into mine.
“Love,” he says and punctuates the word by kissing my palm.
My hand feels heavier, as though he placed a piece of his heart there, along with his lips.
I have the wild urge to press my own mouth to it when he releases me.
Lucky picks up his mug and swallows what’s left in one gulp.“You remind me a lot of the ex I had in college.He also wanted to change the world.”
There’s so much sadness in his eyes; I have to ask, “Did he succeed?”
“Yeah.Left everything behind to do it, but he did.”
I suspect that everything includes Lucky.
I reach over him for the half-finished bottle and refill his drink.“Do you think your friend is happy?”
“Maybe?I don’t know.”He rolls his head to look at me.He really is gorgeous.The amber in his eyes glows when the light hits it just right.“Anyway, you worked with the big shot.Would you say he’s happy?”
I can’t imagine who he’s referring to, unless he means …
Oh my God.“Sterling Ross is your ex?”
He nods.
“Wow.I mean, I knew he was bi, but he’s always been so tight-lipped about his private life.I’ve never really thought about the people he dates.”Shit, that sounds like an insult now that I say it out loud.
Surprisingly, Lucky chuckles.“If Mac is anything like he used to be, he doesn’t date.He cloaks himself in so much broodiness that no one can get close while secretly wishing someone would crash through his defenses.”
“Mac?”I ask.
“Mackenzie.It’s his middle name.Don’t tell him I told you.”
Yeah, there’s about zero chance of that ever happening.
Lucky pulls the elastic from his hair, running a hand through the now-free strands.It’s sexy and effortless, like everything else he does.Like he can’t help but express himself fully in every moment.
I bet he’s mesmerizing onstage.
“He wrote me after he ran off, but I was angry.We haven’t talked since.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lucky waves off my apology, putting his arm around my shoulders and pulling me tighter against him.“We were stubborn young assholes.It happens.”
I really misjudged him.
All that swagger, and there’s a level of insight underneath I didn’t expect.It’s humbling.I know better than to judge first, and I let myself get lost in the swell of my anger, my sense swept out by the tide of Monica’s hurtful words.
“Does that make you a stubborn old asshole now?”
His smile could warm the coldest nights.“Thirty-five is not old.”
“So, yes,” I tease.
