I hesitate for a beat longer but finally relent because I don’t see any way to avoid the truth. “I don’t drink.”
“How did I not know that?” She looks hurt, not at all frustrated or upset. There’s no look of misunderstanding in her eyes, just disappointment in herself.
“I don’t broadcast it. Some people think it makes me boring.”
“I don’t think you’re boring. I’m actually really glad you’re here,” she admits.
“Oof.”
“What? That was a compliment!”
“I know, but you seem surprised to be enjoying your time with me.” I nudge her side.
“Well, our relationship has been kind of hot and cold over the years. I wasn’t sure what to expect on this trip. You used to drive me crazy.”
I step in closer to her. “I wouldn’t mind driving you crazy now, but I hope it’s a different kind of crazy.”
Her eyes go round, and my stomach turns. The words sort of just slipped out. I’m not used to having to hold back with a woman I’m interested in, but this is Lauren. I don’t know what the rules are now, but I’m pretty sure I just broke one.
“Jax Greer, are you flirting with me?”
I’ve only been trying to for the last nine years. Thanks for noticing, Freckles.“Do you want me to be?”
She opens her mouth to answer as the lights dim.
The lead singer walks to the front of the stage, grabbing the mic. “This song is called ‘Annabel.’”
The crowd goes crazy, and I’m left to wonder what’s running through Lauren’s head right now.
To my delight, I’ve recognized more songs tonight than I expected, and Lauren has been getting into the music too. It’s hard not to become consumed by it all in a venue like this. The pulse of the drums vibrates in my chest. The ground quakes with every strum of the guitar. Friends drape their arms over one another, belting out the lyrics like they speak to their soul. The energy is electric.
When “Russell County Line” comes on, I offer my hand to Lauren. She takes it gingerly, and I pull her close. Her full lips curve into a smile. I desperately want to know what it’d be like to kiss her. With her pouty lips and gentle personality that’s also full of bold and pleasant surprises, I imagine one kiss from Lauren will set my world on fire.
As we slowly step from side to side, shewarms up to me and rests her head on my chest. I hope that means she feels safe with me. After everything she’s been through over the last few years, she deserves to have people who make her feel safe, who she knows will take care of her and let her be free to be herself.
I press my lips softly to the top of her head, getting swept up in the moment. She glances up at me with her big hazel eyes, her mouth slightly agape as if to askDid you just do what I think you did?
I give her a smirk and spin her as the music picks up. She tosses her head back, a radiant smile blooming on her face. She’s glowing. I love seeing her so happy, and I love even more that I had something to do with that happiness.
“Do you still remember the dance from our lessons?” I ask her.
She nods eagerly, and I lead her through the steps as the song finishes up.
I’m so swept up in her that I don’t even notice the song has ended until the lights flicker on and a mob of people swarms from the venue.
“I guess it’s time for us to head back,” she says, looking disappointed.
I don’t want to go back. I don’t want this night to end, but it’s already ten thirty, and our day starts unreasonably early tomorrow. Lauren scheduled breakfast with another rancher at seven so she could talk to him about implementing regenerative agriculture before the conference starts at eight.
I grab Lauren’s hand and lead her through the masses toward the door. When we step out into the cold winter air, we turn to one another, and I can see the same sense of hesitation on her face, like she’s also scared the moment weshared is going to be erased as soon as we head back to the hotel room and focus on the reason we’re here.
So instead of being responsible and leading us to the hotel, I say, “I did a little research on Tulsa before we came here. There’s a speakeasy not too far from here. Want to check it out?”
Chapter Seventeen
Lauren
I should probably say no.I’m looking forward to the conference tomorrow and want to be fresh for it, but I’m also far from ready for our night to be over.
