“Yeah, it’s just nasty out.” He slides in beside me as if it’s natural for him to reach a protective arm out, wrapping me in his warmth. “You’re shaking.”
“I’ll be okay.” I still under the warmth of his arm. “Great game.”
His espresso eyes lock on me. “I couldn’t be happier.”
“I would say,” I blurt out over my chattering teeth.
“Not about the game though.” His eyes sparkle with so many hues of gold and copper, it’s as if they are putting on a tinyfireworks show. “I couldn’t be any happier because you are here.”
My throat dries, and I swallow as my chatters are stopped with warmth pooling in my chest. I’ve dreamed of him saying that to me for so long.
That’s what this is. A dream.
The best dream.
One I never want to wake from.
I swallow again, gaze into his eyes, and swoon. “I’m happy I’m here too.”
Both sides of his lips raise, and I ponder if this is my favorite smile yet. It’s hard to decide as all his smiles are his best smiles. “Did you know I had the biggest crush on you in high school?”
“Ah, no. I couldn’t tell.” The breath rings out of my chest. “You never said anything, other than that time you asked me to save a dance for you.”
“Right.” He nodded, his movement so smooth, and easy. “I was shy. That obviously didn’t do anything but waste a lot of time.” He raised his hand, touching my chin lightly with the pads of his fingers.
So much time! I scream in my head. It’s been years!
“I assumed you thought I was Rocco’s annoying little sister.”
His fingers graze my chin as he lowers his lips closer, parting them in the slowest speed setting.
I’m unable to make a sound but my lips part. Drawing his chin even closer to me, the warmth wafts off his skin.
It’s surreal.
It’s serendipity.
It’s our most romantic moment, and I don’t ever want it to end. I start to close my eyes and lean in, but he tips his head up and softly presses a smile on my forehead.
Is this right?
Time literally stills as we hold each other –not kissing.
Why aren’t we kissing?
After so many several long moments, I wonder if we are frozen before he reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers into mine. Yes that part is amazing, butit’s not kissing!
“How about that coffee?” he asks like this is the most casual encounter ever.
“Coffee is always a yes.” I force a grin with my un-kissed lips. I don’t even have to ask where we’re going because he’s a man of routines, and his routine is the Coffee Loft.
thirteen
North
Sitting across from each other at the same Coffee Loft booth—me drinking my ol’ reliable spiced chai, and Gia risking a blueberry mocha—our free hands slide across the table until they meet, and we playfully hold hands like two giddy teenagers.
Gia dips her drink straw into the mountain of whip cream, scoops a glop up, and then brings it to her mouth. I fight the urge to hang my jaw as this might be the most entertaining thing I’ve seen all year, and I coach football for a living, so I see an awful lot of entertaining things. Need I say more?
