Then we lie there in silence for a moment, eyes to the ceiling, soaking up the moment. Us in our apartment. AJ strokes my back. We’re not going to get much sleep tonight.
‘I could get used to this,’ he says. ‘Waking up every day like this with you… in our place.’
‘You know what my favorite part about it is? Apart from you in this bed with me, of course.’
He frowns. ‘What?’
I walk two fingers from his belly button, all the way up his bare chest. I’ll never forget his room above Scotch & Smoke, and the nights that we spent there together, but, apart from a kitchen, there was something else missing from that musty attic room.
‘The air-conditioning unit,’ I say and AJ’s shoulders shake with laughter.
All Torque
AJ
Seven Months Later
‘Ready, babe?’
When Hollie comes outta the bedroom, my brow lifts a fraction.
I exhale. Wow. Just…wow.
She’s wearing a powder blue dress that clings to her curves, fans out at her hips, and a pair of authentic black and brown Texan cowgirl boots. Her hair’s tied back in a high ponytail with a ribbon. Her hair’s not pink anymore and is back to her natural dark blond shade. She’s wearing a touch of makeup but nothing heavy.
But my favorite thing? She’s wearing the jacket I bought her.
Black, lambskin leather. Lightweight, with shoulder and elbow armor. Round stand collar with a stud fastening. Cut for a feminine frame with a contoured, close fit that looks sleek and sophisticated.
Also, sexy as hell.
I got worried, after I bought it, that she might hate it. That she might not wanna walk around Canyon wearing a leather jacket, like me. But now the weather’s turned a little cooler, she literally doesn’t take it off.
Shame I no longer have a motorcycle I can take her out on, as I’m still waiting on the insurance money to come through after the fire.
Hollie gives me a little twirl. ‘Do I look all right?’
‘You look… man. You’re a goddess.’
She walks over to me. Slides one arm around my neck. She smells so good too. ‘Thank you,’ she whispers, then grants me the sweetest kiss. ‘Happy birthday, AJ.’
I’ll never not be in love with this girl. She’s my life. She means everything.
‘I don’t know why I let Echo talk me into doin’ this tonight. I’d rather stay here with you. Grab some popcorn and watch a movie.’
‘It’ll be fun! You got the invitation?’
I pat the inside chest pocket of my jacket. ‘Got it.’
‘Nicole says there’s going to be a line for anyone without an invitation. Isn’t that crazy? That’s how much buzz there is around opening night.’
‘It’s Scotch & Smoke. Comes with its own reputation, right?’
‘Do you think we’ll just call it Scotch & Smoke? Or Scotch & Smoke Two? I feel like calling it Scotch & Smoke sort of disses the original.’
I laugh. ‘Chase and I straight up said the same thing. We settled on Scotch Two.’
‘Great minds. I was going to suggest the same.’
