When she doesn’t answer straight away, I give up and stride away in the opposite direction. This time, she runs right into my path and stops me in my tracks. Her hands are holding my arms, making sure I can’t take another step away from her.
“What did you think was going to happen between us, Tommy? Tell me that.”
Confusion fills my head. “I thought we wanted the same thing.”
“Which is what?” She asks, searching my face.
Shaking my head, I try to explain. “That we always had something special, and one day, we’d end up together.”
She gazes up into my eyes. The burning heat returns between us and I’m doing all I can to resist her beautiful, full lips. If I thought for a second, she’d respond, I’d do it, but I can’t risk her rejecting me again. I turn my head away.
“There’s a reason I’ve been stalling, Tommy, but it’s difficult to explain.”
Her hands drop to her side and she sighs like she’s gearing up to drop a bomb.
“Go on,” I tell her, folding my arms, but this time keeping distance between us. “It can’t be anything worse than what you’ve already said.”
Angie bites her bottom lip. “I’m scared.” She looks up with glassy eyes.
Now I can’t help myself. She seems so vulnerable. I step forward again and take her face in my hands. “Of what? Tell me.”
She takes in a calming breath. “I promised myself I’d never date another musician, never mind the same one. You live in a very different world to me where there’s too much temptation of just about everything. I couldn’t bear the worry of what you’re doing and who you’re doing it with.”
Brushing my thumb across her soft skin, I cup my hands around her face once again to make sure I have her full attention. “You’re confusing me with who I used to be. I wouldn’t try to justify how I behaved during the early days of the band and for some time after. Therewerewomen. A lot of them. Taking them home was almost part of the job, but I was a single guy. Since then, I got married and I’ve never once cheated on my wife. I wouldn’t do that to her or my boy, not that it matters now.”
Angie’s lips brush against my hand. “I know,” she whispers. “I know you’re a good man.”
Taking her hands in mine, I duck a little so we’re face to face. “Forget the complications, Angie. Forget who I used to be and look at the man I am now. Remember how it felt the other night when we were together. You can’t tell me we don’t work. There’s a spark between us. It’s probably been simmering under the surface for years, but there’s never been a more perfect time for us, until now.”
Her smile is sad when she looks down to where our fingers weave together and she brushes her thumb across my knuckles, sending sparks of electricity across my skin.
“I know you’re right. When you arrived back in my life after losing Scott, you gave me hope, and it was like you were here to save me. I was happy with our friendship and I didn’t expect anything more. Then you split up with Chelsea and something inside me switched. I never expected to feel that way about you again, but I can’t deny it any longer.”
My heart hammers against my chest. “So, what are you saying?”
Her eyes are so wide as they search mine. “I’m saying… I’m saying, given the chance, I could fall for you.”
I take her in my arms while my heart continues to thud. “Then take it, Angie. Take the chance.”
She breaks free of my hold. “It’s not that simple.”
“Then explain it to me.”
She looks away. “It’s Scott. He’s still in here,” she says, placing her hand over her heart.
Standing stock still, I search her face for guidance. What the hell do I say? There’s no answer to this. I can’t magically get her husband back to give his approval and, if he was here, this conversation wouldn’t be happening. Angie would be with him, not me. I know how much she loved him and how much she still does. I was prepared to be second best for her, but I’m not sure that’s good enough for either of us. I’m so fucking confused.
“What do you want me to say?” I ask.
“I don’t know, how about ‘don’t be stupid, Angie,’ or ‘Scott would be happy for you’.”
“All right. Don’t be stupid, Angie. Scott would be ha?—”
She slaps her palm on my chest. “That’s not what I meant, you idiot, and you know it.” She smirks.
“Then help me. I don’t know what the fuck to do here. Maybe you should?—”
I don’t get my last words out. Angie launches her beautiful body against mine, stands on her tiptoes, runs her hand to the back of my head, and pulls me forward. Our mouths lock, and during those few, lust-filled seconds, I couldn’t give a shit about anything else but loving her.
