Maybe she thinks we need to talk about what happened. That’s obviously why she’s here, but… what the hell is she gonna say?
Am I about to see her for the last time?
Or is this the start of something I desperately want but I’m not sure how to handle?
CHAPTER 25
DANI
“So, um…” I lick my lips, not sure how to start. My nerves are seizing up, turning into sharp spikes that are massacring my insides.
Letting out an edgy laugh, I scratch the back of my curls and stare down at his feet. They’re so big. Long and broad and… He’s got handsome toes.
Can toes be handsome?
These ones are.
They’re a beautiful shape and all the right lengths. My second toe is longer than my big toe, but not Tyrell’s. The height order is just so, giving his toes a perfect curve from his big to his pinkie and…
Why the fuck are you focusing on handsome toes right now? He’s waiting!
Clearing my throat, I snap my gaze back up to his and drink in his expression. He’s usually got this cool, quiet, calm about him, but when his lips curl into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, I realize he’s just as nervous as me.
And he’sstillwaiting for me to say something.
“I wasn’t happy with how we left things… and I guess I just wanted to make sure we’re okay.” The words tumble out of me in a jumble, and I’m not sure he even heard them.
He takes a beat to decipher my drivel and then nods, his smile turning sad as he slips his hand into the pocket of his sweats. They’re hanging low on his hips, and I can picture the muscles underneath his T-shirt. He had a six-pack in high school that the girls constantly drooled over. I bet it’s still there.
And it could be all yours if you just get over yourself!
Closing my eyes, I swallow, those spiky nerves digging into my stomach, my chest, my throat.
“Yeah. I mean, of course we’re okay.” His voice rumbles. “I’ll always be there for you.”
I open my eyes in time to see his stoic smile.
And my heart turns to liquid, melting into a puddle of soft affection as I take in that gentle gaze of his.
My rejection last night hurt him. It’s so freaking obvious, but he’s still got that stoic smile at the ready. He’s still willing to set aside all his feelings for me. To be there for me and what I need.
But what about whatheneeds?
What about what you both obviously want?
I can barely breathe as I climb the stairs, moving right past him so I can spin two steps above where he’s standing and be eye level with him.
Studying his face, my lips twitch into a smile as I reach for his hand and curl my fingers around it. His large fingers envelop mine, his long thumb brushing over my skin with a tenderness that makes my liquid heart pulse with a fresh beat. One I haven’t felt in years.
Sucking in a shaky breath, I softly whisper, “I’m scared.”
His gaze jumps to meet mine. His eyes are a rich, dark brown. So beautiful. All I can do is stare into them as his deepvoice goes all soft and husky. “Me too. For probably all the same reasons you are.”
I nod, letting out a shaky laugh as tears burn the back of my throat.
Are we doing this?
Are we really stepping into this new territory together?
