Page 17 of Before I Lost You

“Told you.”

We chat as we eat, mostly small talk about my work and his exhibits. He tells me about when he opened his studio and when he got noticed for the first time. I tell him about college and my job, and he sits on the edge of his seat the entire time, listening intently. And then, before I can chicken out, I change the subject. Abruptly, might I add.

“I’m about to ruin the vibe.” I wince, and he tilts his head to the side, waiting for me to continue. “But what was your deal the other night? At the bar.”

“You want the honest answer?”

“Usually.” I nod.

“I already told you I thought you were attractive.” He exhales harshly. “It’s just that I haven’t been on a date in years. It’s kind of my thing. I only have sex, and then I move on. It’s not personal.”

“Then why am I here now?”Help me understand.

“I’m curious. I’ve been curious since the bar,” he admits.

“Then why act like you wanted me to disappear?” I ask him, hoping he’ll give me a genuine answer and not some bullshit.

He snorts, a chuckle escaping him. “Because sometimes meeting someone interesting is really inconvenient. And… never mind.”

“And what?”

“I recognized you.” Kenneth bites his bottom lip.

My heart beats a little faster, and before I know it, it’s pounding like a drum. “From where?”

He hesitates, “That’s the thing. I couldn’t remember.”

“Was it from the gallery?” I ask him.

“No. I recognized you then, too.” His smile is wobbly, and I swallow hard but don’t say anything. He watches me closely. “Wanna get out of here?”

“Y-yeah.” I clear my throat. “Okay.”

Kenneth asks for the check, and when he pulls out his wallet, I try to stop him. But he just gives me a small shake of his head and hands the card over to the server.

“You can’t pay—”

“Ican,” he says firmly. “I asked you out, I’m paying.”

I nod slowly. “Fine. But can I at least walk you to your door?”

“Are you going to kiss me good night, Conrad?” There’s a smirk on his lips as he looks into my eyes, giving me his undivided attention once more. He doesn’t even look at the server when she places his card and receipt back on the table.

“Isn’t that first date etiquette?” I grin.

“Is that what this is?” Kenneth asks with a shy smile, blue eyes bright and golden hair falling over his eyebrows in a way that makes me want to brush it away from his face. “I’m not well-versed in dates.”

“I sure hope so.”

Kenneth’s grin is blinding as he tips the server and signs the receipt, then puts his card back in his wallet, which he shoves into his pocket. He stands slowly from his chair, and I follow after him out into the warm summer night, the ocean breeze ruffling his hair as we walk. Apparently, this restaurant is only a short distance away from his place.

Once we make it to his front door, he looks at me expectantly, eyes wide and dilated. He leans back against the door, resting his back on the wood, and I close the distance between us. My arms bracket his face, caging him in, and I touch my nose to his. Our breath mingles, his smelling sweet from our cocktail, and I brush my lips against his lightly. It’s barely a touch, but it still sendselectricity shooting down my spine. Right as I’m about to lean in and press my lips to his, he speaks.

“Come inside,” he whispers, lips moving against mine. “Please.”

“I shouldn’t,” I say softly, though my resolve is crumbling.

“No sex, I swear,” he says quickly, and I relax. “I just don’t want it to end yet.”