That dragged a real laugh out of me, one that I hadn’t heard from myself in longer than I cared to admit. When I met his gaze again, there was something more sincere there.
“Well,” he said, still watching me, “if it makes you feel better, I’mclearlyinto older women.”
“Of course you are. It’s the trauma that makes us irresistible.”
“It’s the terrifying capability, actually. Anyway…you’re only four years older, hardly a twenty-year gap.”
“You’re not wrong.” I smiled, reassured by the way he was looking at me. Clearly not put off by the age gap between us.
At some point, we’d migrated to the sofa, his arm draped across the backrest, close enough that the warmth skimmed my shoulders. Suddenly, my tea felt unnecessary when the air between us was so hot.
“This is gonna sound weird,” he said, glancing down at his mug like the words were hiding in there somewhere.
“Now I have to hear it,” I replied.
He smiled. “I’ve done this before. I mean, dated, flings and all that. But it’s never been like this.” He hesitated. “It’s just…easy with you. Too easy, almost. Like I’ve known you longer than a few hours.”
The honesty in his voice made something in my heart squeeze. “It doesn’t sound stupid,” I said gently. “Feels the same for me.”
His eyes stayed on mine. “Not supposed to be this easy, right?”
“Maybe. Or maybe we just don’tletthings be easy enough.”
The air between us thickened, and I could feel that pull, the slow drift toward a feeling I didn’t want to say out loud yet.
He cleared his throat, like he needed to kick the moment sideways. “Alright, your turn. Embarrass yourself so I don’t feel like the only one getting deep tonight.”
I groaned. “Oh God…”
He grinned. “C’mon. Hit me with something good.”
“Fine.” I set my mug down. “Let me think…Okay, Gwen and I went to a spa once. I’d bought this new bikini, felt like something special in it. Got into the rooftop hot tub, leaned back, felt smug…and accidentally hit one of the jets.”
He raised a brow. “And?”
“It fired directly at the clasp of my bikini top. Thing flew off across the water right as the waiter arrived with our drinks.”
He burst into laughter. “No way.”
“Oh yes. Gwen nearly drowned laughing.”
“Lucky waiter.”
I sniffed with mock hurt. “And yet here I am, eternally single.”
His smile softened, eyes holding mine just a fraction longer than he needed to, shifted closer. “That’s their loss.”
And I knew if he leaned in, I wasn’t about to ruin it with common sense.
Chapter Twelve
Jordan
I didn’t knowwhat time it was. To be honest, I didn’t care. The laughing had quietened, but the way I felt around her hadn’t. If anything, it had only intensified. Kate twisted the hem of her dress again, like it was a nervous habit or something else. Whatever it was, I felt the change in her before she even looked up.
Her eyes were softer now, but I could tell she was mulling something over in her mind.
“Can I ask you something?” she said.
