As soon as I’m on my feet, she links her arm through mine, and we walk toward the back of the bar.
“I swear to God, Freya. You two are going to go up in flames soon,” she says the second the door closes.
“What? We haven’t done anything,” I argue.
“Yes. Exactly my point. Girl, you need to take him home and…” She waggles her brows at me.
I want to. God, do I want to.
But…
“What if I’ve forgotten how to?”
“Pfft. It’s like riding a bike. And when the bike is as fine as that man out there, I promise you won’t have a problem.”
My stomach flutters with nerves.
“You don’t have to go from zero to sixty straight away. Make him work for it. Use him to build your confidence. I don’t think he’ll have a single complaint about that.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush and no experience.
“Ask him to dance. Let him get his hands on you, where you know it can’t go any further. One step at a time.”
I nod, but I can’t say I’m feeling any more confident about it.
“Trust him to know what you need, Freya. He’s a good man. He won’t rush you into anything you’re not ready for.”
Despite not needing to go, I make the most of my visit to the restroom, and as I stand washing my hands, I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
I might be nervous about the night ahead, but the woman looking back at me is completely different from the one from only a few months ago.
Casey was right. I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m stronger, and hopefully a little more resilient. Sure, I might not be quite as wild, but being more considerate isn’t a bad thing. Hopefully, it’ll help protect my heart and give me confidence that I’m making the right decisions. All I do know is that right now, the only person I want to spend the rest of my night with is sitting out there without me.
“Ready?” Casey asks as she comes to stand next to me.
We’re wearing matching outfits. The only difference is the name and number on our jerseys.
I lift my chin slightly and hold my own stare in the mirror. “Yeah. I think I am.”
With my shoulders back, I walk out of the restroom and set my sights on the man I can’t get out of my head.
In my absence, he’s moved right to the edge of the booth, eradicating the spot I was previously sitting in.
Just take it one step at a time…
An idea hits me, and before I can stop myself, I march right up to him, rest my hand on his shoulder, and lower myself to his lap.
“Sorry, no one was sitting here, were they?” I ask, aware I’ve got the attention of every single person sitting around the table.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Parker give me a thumbs-up. But it’s not until Cole’s large hand wraps around my hip that I relax.
He leans in close and rasps, “What have I told you about apologizing?” in my ear.
I practically melt on his lap.
“I’m not sure. You’ll have to remind me.”
A deep groan rumbles in his throat, and I feel it in every inch of my body.
