She steps aside and lets me pass by, the amber smell lingering off her skin infiltrates my senses as I do.
After grabbing my food, I turn back around and expect to see the spot she was standing in empty, since she’s always trying to avoid me. Instead, I’m pleased to see she’s still right where I left her.
Our eyes connect as I walk back with my takeout bag in hand. Just seeing her—in this old familiar place—it takes me back. The past and present collide, like no time has passed while simultaneously feeling the rigidness of when our relationship severed, sending us on opposite paths. It’s a painful reality, forcing me to take a big inhale in an attempt to steady my erratic heartbeat.
Though a soft smile is resting on her red lips, her arms are crossed over her chest—an obvious wall, nearly impenetrable. I want to bulldoze right through it and get to the place where this isn’t so hard. But I can’t—I have to climb it instead.
On approach, her arms cross tighter as she steps back—the wall not budging.
“Picking up food?” I ask, like an idiot. Why else would she be here.
She breathes a laugh. Her eyes bounce around my face and to the surrounding restaurant. “Great work, detective. Yeah, I’m picking up food.”
I shake my head and tsk, hitching a brow. “Not a detective, just a deputy.”
Her tongue rolls over her teeth, drawing my attentionback to her pouty, crimson mouth as she works at holding back a playful grin. “Oh right, my mistake. Sorry,Deputy Alvarez.”
The way she saidDeputy Alvarez, with a sultry little edge, stirs something in me I haven’t felt in a long while. It’s not hard to imagine her calling me that in a difference scenario—one where she’s under me, thighs spread open, pussy clenching around my cock as I fuck her so thoroughly she can’t remember anyone but me—claimed. Mine. I want it so badly, the thought alone has my zipper straining.God, I’m easy.
Swallowing, I feel my Adam’s apple bob painfully in my throat. I forgot the way she pulls at me, can put me under her spell in one look. My gaze trips up on her face—everywhere I land, I want to stay. She completely disarms me and has no idea.
I don’t know how to be around her and not beus. Ten years didn’t do shit to change that.
Now that I have my food, I have no reason to stick around, but the last thing I want is to lose out on time with her, even if it’s only seconds.
“My goodness, look at you two,” Marie, the owner of Sagebrush shouts from across the restaurant. She approaches us with quick steps, nearly bouncing, a wide smile splitting her face. “Well, if it isn’t the star quarterback and head cheerleader. You two lovebirds back together? We all got such a kick out of hearing about the arrest.”
We exchange glances, a silent conversation passing between us.
Ellie bites her lip, her fair skin noticeably flushed. “Just picking up food.” Her voice is breathy.
She seems way more affected by Marie’s nosiness than I would’ve expected.
It’s no secret Ellie and I were every small town cliché—themakings of your standard teen rom-com. Hell, we were even prom king and queen our senior year.
“So, then you’re not together?” Marie, asks, almost sounding emotional, as if she might cry.
Oh, jeez.
“We’re friends!” Ellie bursts out, looking to me with her gaze widened, silently pleading I save her.
“Yep,” I speak up. “Great friends.”
Marie frowns. “Oh. I see. Well, that’s a shame.” She turns her focus on Ellie. “You need to get him back. It’s not like you’ve dated any winners since him.”
Ellie’s eyes bug out, her face blooming even redder than it already was.
I sure as shit don’t like hearing about her dating other guys, but a surge of pride hits me knowing none have been better than me.
“Marie!” someone shouts from the back. “The fryer’s acting up again.”
She laughs, shrugging her shoulders. “Damn thing’s on its last leg.” She smiles warmly at us. “I’ll see you kids later.”
And then she’s gone, just as quickly as she popped up, leaving behind a stilted air between us.
“So,” I start. “That wasn’t awkward at all.”
Her eyes flash to mine, the redness slowly easing off her face. “Definitely not incredibly embarrassing.” She laughs lightly through her smile.
