Wendy finished introducing the band, and I joined the crowd in clapping, maybe a tad too enthusiastically.
The singer of the band stepped up to the mic, adding more excitement and making a crack at Jack’s age related to how long it’d been. Jack was edging closer to forty if his bandmate was to be believed.
Jack adjusted the strap of his electric guitar one more time. He let it hang low on his body, his hands giving it a lingering caress that made me shiver. His back remained straight. For the first few notes, his shoulders looked high and tense, but as the song continued, he relaxed into it, a soft smile forming that made my breath catch.
I doubted I breathed at all during that first song. Sean’s arm slung around my shoulders to pull me against him.
“You like seeing him like this?” Sean asked.
I nodded, not taking my eyes off Jack for any of the songs. Sweat glistened on his face, and his hair fell over his forehead themore he leaned into the beat. I often saw his eyes stray to me, and each time he found me watching, his smile grew brighter.
When the first set ended, the other members of the band rallied around Jack with arm slaps and laughs. A part of me wished he’d come to check on me, but Stacey was talking to him, and a few other women approached him as well.
“What did you think?” Sean asked.
“He’s fantastic.” I didn’t have a good enough ear to tell for sure, but the way he enjoyed playing told me all I needed to know.
“Disappointed he doesn’t sing?”
I shook my head. “His hands were made for the guitar.”
Sean snorted. “Should I add hands to your fetish list?”
I turned toward him in exasperation. “That’s not a—” His teasing grin made me roll my eyes.
“You never sent me any feet pictures.” Sean gave me an exaggerated pout.
With everything that had happened since, I’d forgotten he’d once mentioned feet. “Were you serious about that?” I asked. I glanced toward the stage again. Stacey had a hand on Jack’s arm. Some of my giddiness faded.
“If I was?” Sean asked.
I lifted an eyebrow. “I’d consider it.” I didn’t understand the interest, but I’d always thought my feet were cute, with high arches and regularly painted toes.
“Really? Anything else you’d consider?” Sean shifted closer. “Because I need you to know, there’s nothing you checked ‘interested in’ that’s a no for me. Consider my prior kissing offers very open-ended.”
Some of my smile faded.
“This isn’t me pushing,” Sean said. “This is me putting it out there again in case it’s something you’re tempted by. You feel comfortable with me, don’t you?”
“That’s part of the problem,” I whispered. “I can’t lose you, Sean.”
His teasing faded. “That’s not an option. I’m not going anywhere. We can be friends or something more. Have sex with me or don’t. None of that matters. You call, I’ll always be there.” He kissed my forehead. “I love you, Hailey. I don’t see that ever changing.”
“You—” My throat closed as I met his eyes, which didn’t look away from mine.
“I jumped the gun a little that night we were drinking. I might be jumping it a little now, but you’re so very lovable. I was a goner pretty quickly.”
My heart didn’t race at his confession. It felt more like something I already knew, deep down. Sean loved me. His love was like settling into a warm bath, the heat of it sinking into my bones.
“My love might be a little confusing,” he continued. “I have a big heart, and you fit in it, but my heart isn’t exclusive. That may not be enough for you, and I’m fine staying friends if that’s the case, or even keeping things casual. I won’t love you any less, whatever you decide.” He brushed my hair behind my ear, histouch lingering against my cheek. “I’m here. However you want me to be.”
“So you want to—” I broke off, glancing around us. No one was turned our way, and Jack continued to talk to the band, though he’d moved away from Stacey and the other women.
“Touch you?” Sean asked. “I’m dying to touch you, Hailey, but again, I’m perfectly fine if you don’t want to go there.”
“It might not work,” I whispered. “I might not be able to—” My hands clenched together.
“It’s not always about the destination. Touching each other that way is an expression of love, one that can be very enjoyable, even without an orgasm.”
