Page 47 of The Sweetness of Life

“Yeah, I think you’re probably right.” My hand slides back around to her ass and squeezes. Her eyes widen a little. The moment is over, but it’s too late for her to be shy about my hand on her ass.

Slowly, I stand and take a step back, smoothing down her skirt as I go. God, I want this girl.

Her eyes trail the length of me and pause as I adjust myself. I smirk at her and the flood of color rising on her cheeks.

“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes and flips her hair over her shoulder as she gets up off the bed, pushes by me, and walks into the bathroom. I can’t argue with her attitude. My mixed signals over the last week have been confusing even to me, but the last five minutes should have proven that I undoubtedly want her.

When I head out into the kitchen, Kyle catches my eye and shakes his head disapprovingly. A twinge of guilt inches its way in, but I can’t think about that. I only want to think about how she makes me feel, and right now, I feel good.

Southern Cornbread

“WHAT’S GOING ON with you and Kyle?” I ask Michelle as she walks behind the bar to grab glasses for a new customer. She skipped out last night, soon after Kyle did, and I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye or thank her for helping me.

“Nothing much, why?” She doesn’t make eye contact with me.

“Oh, come on. I’ve only been here for a week, and even to me it’s obvious there’s something there.”

She pushes her braid off her shoulder and glances at me, her expression full of dejection.

“I thought so, too, was even hopeful for it, but more and more time has passed and nothing’s ever changed . . . well, maybe it did last night. I don’t know.”

“What happened last night?” I lean forward, placing my elbows on the bar.

“Nothing really. It just felt like it used to . . . but then again, I’m probably making it more than it is.” Disappointment laces through her words.

“I don’t understand. What do you mean ‘like it used to’?” I’ve seen the way he looks at her, and I’ve seen the upfront way he acts with Zach. I can’t imagine him not going after what he wants.

She shrugs and says, “When I first started working here, he would come in at the end of my shift and we’d sit around and talk into the night. I loved it, but little by little the time would get cut shorter, until eventually he stopped coming.”

“That’s strange. He’s so flirtatious around you.” Thinking back over the last couple of days, I’ve seen him wink at her at least half a dozen times.

“I know, right? Well, I’m glad you see it too. I was starting to wonder if I’m reading more into it than is actually there.”

“I don’t think so, and last night, he all but made it clear you were his.” Kyle’s expression when he joined us outside was not only territorial but also determined. Once he sat next to Michelle, he stole all her attention.

“But I’m not.”

“Are you sure about that?” The question lingers around us as we stare at each other.

Another couple comes in and she moves down the bar to greet them, placing fresh glasses in front of everyone. She smiles warmly and instantly has them feeling relaxed and welcome; that’s part of her allure. Michelle is beautiful, kind, and smart; I really don’t see what the problem is.

“So, tell me about last night,” I say when she comes back to refill my wine glass.

She lets out a sigh and leans over the bar so she’s a bit closer to me. “He heard me leave right after him and offered to drive me back to the manor to get my car. We talked for a little bit on the drive, and then he said good night.”

“That’s it?”

“Yep.” She pinches her lips together.

“That’s so strange.” I shake my head. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why haven’t you made the first move?”

She pauses to think about her answer. “I don’t know. He’s older than me . . .”

“So?” My eyebrows rise in question.

“So, I guess I’m a little bit old-fashioned.” She squares off her shoulders and stands a little taller. “If he wanted to ask me out, he would have. I shouldn’t have to chase a guy to get him to show interest in me. It should be organic and mutual.”

“I agree with that, but there has to be more to it.”