I bit down on my bottom lip as if I were considering the request. “I think we could make that happen.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He pulled his phone out. “What’s your number?”
I rattled off the digits, and he saved me in his contacts.
“This has already been the longest amount of time I’ve been in the area since I graduated—and I’m still here until Sunday,” he admitted. “Since you’re here too, I’d love to link up.” He lowered his voice and leaned close. “I just met you, and you’re probably my favorite person in Chance.”
“I’m going to take the compliment, but the competition isn’t stiff.”
“Damn.” He snickered. When his amusement subsided, he asked, “What’s better for you? Saturday night or Sunday afternoon?”
Not knowing what my aunt’s schedule was going to be, I decided to play it safe. “Sunday.”
He nodded. “My mom has me taking her to this plant nurseryin Richmond to pick up some materials for her yard. When we get back, I’m going to hit you up with the move for Sunday. That’s cool?”
I smiled. “That’s cool.” I shifted on the stool, glancing away from him briefly. “Are you waking up early for the gardening expedition?”
“Not particularly.” He stared at me, searching my eyes. “You’re not ready to go home yet?”
Holding his gaze, I wordlessly shook my head.
His voice lowered. “Then I have time.”
Thankful he didn’t ask me why and appreciative that he didn’t need a reason to stay, a small smile tugged at my lips. “Good. That’ll give me a chance to get a good read on you.”
“We’ve been talking for the last couple of hours, and you don’t think you have a good read on me?”
“I thought I did, but then I saw you bobbing your head to this”—I gestured to the speaker in the ceiling—“and so now I’m not so sure.”
He burst out laughing. “Okay, that’s what we’re doing?” Turning his body to completely face me, he gave me a look. “Because if you think I didn’t notice you doing your little”—he wiggled his shoulders, mimicking me—“dancey dance, I did.”
“Don’t do me like that!” I playfully pushed his shoulder. “All I’m saying is that I won’t know for sure what your vibe is until I know your musical tastes.”
“Okay,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Top five albums, in no particular order…”
We talked until the bar manager announced it was closing time.
And it was the most at peace I’d felt in a long time.
Between the dissolution of my marriage and my aunt’s health battles, the last few years had been rough. I loved my friends and family, and I was thankful for their love and support. But it had been a long time since I’d had someone look at me without a hint of worry or sadness in their eyes. Even if they didn’t say it, I heard the concern in their voices. And because of life’s circumstances, meeting and connecting with new people just felt like more work than it was worth.
But tonight wasn’t like that.
There was no pressure with Lamar. We clicked organically and we talked easily. He didn’t know about my baggage. He didn’t knowabout my past. He didn’t know about the heaviness of Aunt Addy’s condition. He just got to know me.
And I liked that.
“After you,” he said as I hopped off the barstool.
In the mirror behind the bar, I watched his eyes sweep down my body, and my stomach, heart, and pussy fluttered. It had been a long time since someone invoked that reaction, and I didn’t know what to do about it.
“When did you get into town?” he asked, rising to his feet.
My eyes widened. He was as tall as he’d said he was. But with his broad shoulders and thick yet muscular build, his large frame loomed over me.
I looked up at him.Well, damn.
He put his hand on the small of my back, and my stomach flipped. It was the combination of his touch, his cologne, his build, and the way he was looking at me that did it for me.
