Chapter Thirty
Luke: New Year’s Eve
The ball fell and I watched everyone cheer and kiss, and part of me felt sad as hell. Then I remembered my girl would be here soon and I’d get my New Year’s kiss. Even though it’s going to be late, I’d much rather kiss Tayler late than never. The thought of never kissing Tayler again makes my head hurt. I know the times I’ve been away from her; I’ve felt it physically. So, I’m not doing that anymore. I’ve learned my lesson. That lesson and the one where I’ll do just about anything to make sure she’s happy and safe.
Am I ready to talk love yet? No. Even though I’m fairly certain I love her, it’s a scary notion. Once you say that four-letter word, shit changes. So no, I’m not ready for that. Am I ready to marry again? I may never be ready to do that, but I am ready to do just about everything else.
“Happy New Year, babe.” I feel her hands wrap around me from behind. I place mine on top of hers and smile.
Rotating in her arms, I take her pretty face in my hands and bend down for my kiss. “Happy New Year, angel.”
“I missed you,” she says softly. It’s still crazy loud in the bar, but I could still hear her.
“I missed you more.”
“Get a goddamn room!” I turn to see a drunk idiot winding his way toward the narthex. Yeah, I know what that is now.
Tayler and I pull away from each other. “You’d better not be driving!” I shout back.
“No, I’m w-walking, man.” He cackles. Then, just before he’s out the door, he turns, raises both arms into the air, and screams, “Happy New Year, fuckers!”
The crowd repeats the sentiment, and my girl and I laugh. Then she says the unthinkable. “I adore you, Luke.”
Shit. What do I say to that?
“You do?” Nobody has ever said they adored me. I’ve always been too much of an asshole to be adored. I rather like it. “I can’t breathe without you.”
I watch Tayler’s face change. Her eyes turn glassy, and I swear she’s about to cry. “Did I say the wrong thing?” I murmur.
“No.” She shakes her head. “You said the perfect thing.” She wraps her arms around my waist and pulls me in for a hug, her head resting on my chest. “Thank you, Luke.”
Damn. I love this girl. No doubt about it. I mean, how can I not? But I’m not going to tell her tonight. I’ll wait until it’s just the two of us. I’ll make sure it’s special.
As special as she is.
