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Once Tucker shuts the door, I round on him.
“So, you think that because I had a date to a function that was scheduled six months ago, I must be sleeping with said date?”
“Scar—”
“No, I want to make sure I understand what the hell is running through your pea-brained head, Tucker Andrews.”
“I didn’t like seeing you sidled up to the guy, okay? His arm was wrapped around you, his hand planted on your ass. You were as cozy as could be.”
“His hand was on my hip, thank you very much, and we have to be cozy because that’s what’s expected, damn it. Chase has been my friend for years. He’s just my friend. And we sang the damn song together, so we went to the premiere together.”
“You failed to mention that when you told me you were leaving town.”
“Would you like me to copy you in on my schedule?” I plant my hands on my hips. “Am I supposed to get permission every time I have to be somewhere with a man?”
“Cut me a break here, Scar,” he says with a sigh and drags his hand down his face. “I’m not used to the celebrity lifestyle you live. I’m just a small-town cop.”
“You’re not just anything.”
“And I’ve fallen in love with a woman who’s larger than life. When I looked at that television screen and saw you standing there with him, I almost lost my shit. I never lose my shit, Scarlett. I didn’t like it.”
“You…you, what?”
“I didn’t like it.”
“Before that.”
He frowns as if he doesn’t know what I mean, but then his face clears, and he licks his lips. “I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“I think so.”
He worries his lower lip between his teeth as he watches me from across the room.
“I felt like a damn fool.”
“No.” I shake my head slowly. “You’re no fool, and I didn’t say anything about Chase because I honestly didn’t think anything of it. He was my date. Is my friend. But you’re my lover, Tucker. You’re the one I think about and miss when you’re not around. You’re the one I can’t keep my hands off of.”
I walk toward him, relieved when his hands come around my waist, and he pulls me close, staring down into my face.
“Now, what did you say?”
“I love you so much I ache with it,” he whispers as if each word is painful to admit. “And I’m afraid you’ll destroy me before all is said and done.”
I launch myself up, confident that he’ll catch me as I wrap myself around him and seal my lips to his, kissing him with everything I’ve got. When I pull back, I’m breathing hard, and I frame his handsome face in my hands and smile down at him.
“I love you, too, Tucker. And if anyone winds up with a broken heart, it’ll be me. I hated that you wouldn’t answer your phone last night.”
“I’m an ass.”
“Yeah, you are. No silent treatment, you hear me? Ever. Yell at me, whatever you have to do, but you must talk to me. Because there will be times that I can’t be here, and you better answer your goddamn phone.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, the muscles in his jaw clenching. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
“But next time, give me a heads-up. At least let me know which asshole will have his hands all over you.”
I grin. “Deal. But for the record, no one will have their hands all over me.”
“What now?”
“Well, your daughter is upstairs, and I have to go take over for Aunt Clarice, so we can’t get naked and have make-up sex.”
“Rain check?” His lips twitch into a grin.
“Bet your sexy ass.”
15
~ Tucker ~
“Stay together,” I tell Chloe and her friend Jenny as they disappear into the crowd. Springfest is New Hope’s annual music and art festival and always brings a ton of visitors.
People from all over mill about, laughing and dancing. Artists paint giant chalk murals on the roads, and various bands are scattered about, playing anything from country to jazz to rock.
For the first time in I don’t know how long, I’m off work and looking forward to enjoying the festival with my two girls and Rick.
“I’m not sure they heard you.”
I smile down at Scarlett and take her hand in mine. “You think?”
Scarlett chuckles and slows our pace so her dad can keep up. When she reaches for his elbow, he scoffs and swats her hand away.
“Stop fussing over me, I’m fine.”
“Grandpa! Aunt Scarlett!”
We all turn at the sound of Lucy’s and Declan’s voices. They’re running toward us at warp speed with Lexi and Jason not too far behind. Lucy launches herself into Scarlett’s arms and goes on and on about some new game she downloaded onto her iPad.
Jason reaches out a hand for me to shake. “How’s it going, Tucker?”
“Not too bad,” I reply. “Yourself?”
