"Just water," she whispers.
"I'll have the same."
"Got it. I'll have it out soon." The bartender grins at us again and then hurries back toward the bar.
"You remembered my order," Sarah says into the silence, like it matters to her.
I think about shrugging off the comment, but quickly decide I don't want to do that. The truth is, I remember every fucking thing I've ever learned about her. "I remember more than you think."
She glances down at the table, blushing again.
I bite my tongue, fighting a groan.
"So…you're home," she says after a moment.
"Yeah, I am. You miss me?"
She jerks in her seat, her gaze flying to mine. Her hand flutters beneath mine, but she doesn't try to pull it away. "I…" She trails off, nodding quickly.
And Christ, I feel like a million bucks. My girl missed me. She thought about me while I was gone.
"When do you leave again?" she asks after a moment.
"I don't."
Her gaze flies back to mine, her eyes wide.
"I'm home for good this time."
"Really?"
"I was eligible for retirement, so I took it."
"Wow. How come?"
Because you're here, and I'm fucking tired of being where you aren't.
"Thought it was time to try something new," I murmur instead of telling her that.
"Olive will love that." She smiles at me. "She hates it when you ship out."
"What about you?"
"I still work at the bookstore."
I'm well aware of where she works. I've driven by there every damn day since I got back, just hoping to see her through the windows. She's different in the bookstore in a way that's fascinating. It's like she comes alive there. It's not just her safe place, it's her home.
"That's not what I meant, babe. Do you hate it when I ship out?"
She stares at me for so long, I'm not sure she's going to answer, and then a soft breath shudders from her lips. "Yes."
Fuck. Me.
Olive was right. My shy little bookworm is in love with me. She's been in love with me for a long time. And I'm a fucking idiot because I didn't see it. I watch her like I can't look away, but I missed this.
Well, I do now.
"I w-worry about you when you're gone," she whispers. "I pray for you every night, Jasper."
