“It’s the—”
“Dolce I bought you two years ago. I know.”
Our eyes locked, and a million memories clashed with the present. I loved this man so much. I loved that he remembered my perfume. His hand moved from my hip to my chin, where he dragged his thumb over my bottom lip. My body froze, goose bumps spreading head to toe at his touch.
“It’s taking everything in me not to kiss you, baby. Every ounce of my willpower.” His eyes darkened with heat as my tongue wet his thumb.
“Laney! Laney!”
I snapped out of the moment, completely rattled. His touch was magic. “Yes?”
“Get in here! This is the most beautiful setup I’ve ever seen. I want to tag you in my post!” Wynona waved me over and hugged me. “This is amazing. Thank you, thank you. She’s so happy. She had no idea!”
I beamed. This was the best part. The joy. She positioned me to stand in front of the backdrop, and I threw my hands up in the air, smiling. I felt Connor’s gaze on me, and when I glanced at him, he wore his infamous smirk. The one that often led to him getting me naked fast.
“Who is that fine man?” Wynona asked, wiggling her brows. “He is hot.”
“My husband.” The words flew out before I could stop them, and by the way Connor’s face lit up, he had heard. “That’s Connor.”
“Damn, girl. You two fit together well. Connor, your wife is the best!”
“I know.” He rocked back on his heels and winked.
Wynona and the group moved toward the bar, where they ordered shots. The party had another hour, and I’d stick around until the end, when things often got silly. Instead of going back to Connor though, I remained near the patio. The freezing air cooled off the feelings overheating me.
Connor staring at me like I was his world. The way he hadtouched my lip. The heat in his eyes and the way my body wanted him. Damn it. How could I resist him if we dated?
Was that the point? He knew he’d wear me down if he was around me? But then once January came, he’d be back at work all the time. I leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath as I felt him near me.
“I’m sorry, Laney.”
“Sorry? For what?” I snapped my attention toward him. I wasn’t expecting an apology.
“I shouldn’t have touched you like that.” His jaw tightened, and he looked regretful. “Having you fix my tie brought me back to years ago. I can tell it made you uncomfortable.”
“I’m not uncomfortable.” I bit the inside of my cheek, Soph’s advice hitting me hard. I needed to communicate more. Express my needs without worry.
“I’m still struggling with what to do. Attraction was never our issue. I don’t want to have my heart broken again, and I’m afraid if I agree to date you for the month, then come January, I’ll be devastated.”
“That won’t happen. I know I need to prove that to you, and I will. Please keep talking to me. Tell me what hurts. What you’re afraid of. How we miscommunicated the last few years. Not right now, but this month, can you?”
I nodded. “I’ll try.”
“Thank you.” He grabbed my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist. Flutters exploded over my body as he dropped my hand and I set it on the railing. His chest heaved as he stepped a foot to the side, putting distance between us.
I hated the space. I hated how I needed space between us.
“You’re incredible when you work.” He cleared his throat. “You wear this smile, and whenever you’re taking photos or angling people, you get this look, and it kills me. I want you to have that look on your face every single day.”
I swallowed the ball of emotion in my throat. My chest ached because it wasn’t Connor who brought me that contented feeling anymore.
Soph’s encouragement to be more honest had me blurting out, “I might want to move to my hometown.”
“Permanently?” he asked, nothing but curiosity in his voice. “Or for a few months?”
I chewed my lip as I stared at the Chicago skyline. I had enjoyed my time here, but we moved here for Connor’s job. I loved the small-town life, the festivals, the friendliness, the silly gossip, and the feeling of comfort. Maybe this was a sign I needed to move back.
“I miss it. I never enjoyed being in the city much, minus…” I took a shaky breath. “I loved you when you used to feel like my home.”
