The whole world disappears as he wraps his arms around me and drops his head, his lips soft and warm. “Hey, beautiful. How you doing?”
“Good. Great. You?”
“Better now that I get to see your gorgeous face.” He glances around. “We should probably get out of here before someone recognizes me, eh?”
“Probably a good idea.”
He laces our fingers, and we walk to the nearby parking lot. “You’re done for the day, right?”
I love that he pays attention to my schedule. “Yeah. I just have studio time this evening.” It was the only slot left in one ofthe less-appealing studio spaces. It’s always freezing in there, which makes it tough to be limber.
“We have some time then.” He helps me into the passenger seat and rounds the hood. It’s bitterly cold today, and a gust of frigid air follows him into the car. He turns over the engine and blasts the heat, then stretches his arm across the back of my seat. “Hi.”
I smile. “Hi.”
He tosses his sunglasses on the dash. “It’s nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, too.”
His maple eyes rove over my face. “You look pretty.”
I bite my lip. “So do you.”
He laughs. “I look pretty, eh?”
I grin, a flush working its way over my cheeks. “Maybeyummyis a better word.”
“Mm...” He leans in closer, eyes heating. “You definitely look yummy.”
“Want a bite?”
“Yeah. Actually.” He sucks my bottom lip. “More than one, if I’m honest.” He flicks my top lip with his tongue.
I angle my head and curve my hand around the back of his neck, hoping to keep him close. His tongue sweeps my mouth, gently, sweetly. I savor the feel of his wide, warm palm against the side of my neck. This going-slow thing will probably result in my spontaneous combustion, and I’m pretty okay with that. It’s the first time I’ve dated someone who isn’t in a rush to get me into bed, and I like it.
Flip’s thumb sweeps the edge of my jaw. “I like you, Tally.” He kisses the end of my nose and settles back in his seat.
“I like you, too.” I buckle my seat belt. “Where to? Should we grab a coffee off campus or something?”
“I have a surprise first.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“It’ll be a time-saver, and that’s all I’m saying.”
“Hmm… Sounds practical.” I go with it and stare at his profile while we drive. “How was practice this morning?”
“Good. I think we’re solid going into this away series,” he replies.
“How’s my dad doing?”
“Okay. Lexi’s been stepping in to lead a bit lately.” Flip glances at me for a moment. “Have you talked to him?”
“The other day, yeah.” He threw out a couple of times to get together, but they were both during dance practice or classes.
“Things okay with the two of you?” he presses.
I shrug. “I don’t think he’ll ever stop being married to his job.”
