“Find something you like? You know, I always thought you would read my books when I wasn’t there.” The book in my hand shifts into focus, the half-naked man with completely unrealistic muscles flexing through his ripped shirt. I clear my throat nervously, shifting on my feet as I place the book back on the shelf.
She’s leaning on her elbow against the bookcase, a satisfied smirk on her face at catching me off guard. Gone is the green apron and I can’t stop my eyes from traveling down her gorgeous body.
“Never did have the time,” I sigh. “But I remember what cameafterthe reading.” She swallows hard and I chuckle to myself, knowing full well what we are both picturing right now. “That one looks interesting.” I point to the overly dramatic cover of the book I just put down to change the subject. The Cara in front of me today isn’t the same one as yesterday. She’s calmer, the hint of what used to be glimmering in her eyes. “I might have to buy it to see what all this romance stuff is about.”
She straightens, crossing her arms across her chest. “Then you’ll be happy to hear it’s our latest book club pick. It’s a shame you can’t join.” Her eyes narrow and her jaw juts stubbornly.
“Something to think about,” I say, tapping the cover with a dull thump.
She rolls her shoulders slightly and glances out the window to the town square beyond it. It’s the only outward sign of her discomfort and it has me stifling my grin. It was one of her tells that told me something brewed underneath her beautiful skin. I could always figure out how she felt about something based on that tiny little movement and she always got mad at me, especially when she had no idea she did it.
“Well, are you ready?”
I grab the strap of my bag and tug at it. “Just waiting on you.”
God, if she only knew how true those words are.
Chapter Five
Cara
Smith’s shoulder brushes against mine as we walk down the sidewalk. I purposefully quicken my steps, but Smith snorts a laugh and lengthens his stride. Our breaths create puffs of fog and I pull my jacket tighter around me to keep back the chill. It’s the time of year that has our mornings cold enough to make you want to stay huddled in bed but warm enough in the afternoons that it’s too gorgeous to stay indoors.
We’re bathed in the warm sun, the scent of fall lingering in the breeze, and I wish I could bask in it, but I can’t. Not when Smith keeps glancing my way. He’s trying to play it off like he’s admiring the buildings, but I can tell.
“Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me, or is that for you to know and me to find out?” The corners of his mouth tilt up playfully as he looks down at me, blue eyes shining. It’s the kind of look I used to love getting from him. The kind that says so much without a word being uttered. Soft and loving, but with a hint of challenge.
Damn him for bringing up our past this morning. Now all I can think about are the memories I’ve buried deep. Kept buried to stop from feeling my heart being ripped from my chest.
Before I left, Smith was the man of my dreams. The man that I spent my whole life longing for and always believed was too good to be true. Smith brought me to life. We brought each other tolife, always playing and laughing with one another. It could have something to do with being young and in love, but already I’m starting to feel that comfortable familiarity wrapping around us. Having him so close has me letting my guard down.
My steps falter, so caught up in this gaze, and I blink rapidly to shake off these feelings coming back to the surface. “You could say that,” my voice is low and deadpan as I place my cold hands in the pockets of my jacket.
It actually is like that. My carefully laid plan that June helped me concoct at our dinner last night is about to be put into action.
We’ve come to a stop at the intersection of Main Street and wait for the little blinking man to appear before we cross. Smith reaches across me to push the button, his cologne lingering in the cold air, and I have to fight to keep my eyes open. To not make a fool of myself for breathing in and losing myself in it.
He chuckles softly, shaking his head. “Why do I feel like this is a trap?” He swivels his head toward me, blue eyes squinted against the sun.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I reply innocently.
“Right,” he murmurs. “You forget I know you.”
The loud beeping from the crosswalk startles me, making me jump. Smith’s large hand settles on the small of my back and I can’t breathe as he leads me to the other side, not dropping his hand until I’m safely on the sidewalk.
First, he’s bringing up old memories, and now this? He’s knocking me off balance this morning, and I’m not sure I can handle it. I’ve kept Smith in a sealed box, locked away with no intention of opening it back up again, but now that he’s here, that lid has been blown wide open.
Maybe June was right and we should just cut off his balls and be done with it.
Lucky for me, it’s a quick walk to our final destination and Smith stays blissfully quiet. The community center is an oldbrick building across the street from the town hall and is already bustling with people. Rose Prairie Community Center offers all sorts of extra-curricular activities for students to join, and gives the retired community a place to hang out, which is precisely why we’re here.
Smith raises an eyebrow at me as he scans the rows of tables. He leans in close, his breath whispering across my skin. “Is this where you kill me? I hate to break it to you, but there are far too many witnesses.”
Without thinking, my hand smacks against the firmness of his stomach in a move that was once second nature. “No,” I chuckle, trying and failing to not think about what he’s packing under that damn henley. The green ribbed fabric showcases the broadness of his chest and shoulders, hugging his clearly defined physique. Did he wear this on purpose?
I have to admit that my mind was on Smith as I got dressed this morning, remembering how he loved scanning down my body when I wore fitted jeans. But jeans and a Tall, Dark, and Coffee t-shirt are my normal work attire, and his eyes still managed to flick over my body. Repeatedly. I clear my throat as I try to get my mind off that damn shirt and roll my shoulders.
“There’s someone here who I know isdyingto meet you,” I tell him as I scan the crowd. She doesn’t even know about him, but she would be tearing this town apart looking for him if she did, so my exaggeration isn’t too far off.
