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Chapter Eight
One pieceof cake quickly became two.
“And then Batman had to climb on the bar to get him down so he didn’t get arrested,” she said, and I gasped with laughter, tears streaming down my face.
“I can’t believe it,” I said, wiping my eyes. “Who knew our mild-mannered math teacher loved Taylor Swift so much?”
“It was quite the impassioned speech. I’m sure someone caught it on their phone and it will somehow work its way onto the internet someday. Man Really Loves Taylor Swift. Really.”
“You’ve seen everything,” I said, going for the last bite of cake on my plate. I hoped I didn’t have any crumbs in my teeth. I loved hearing her bartender stories.
“Have you ever considered writing a book? You really should. Just change the names a little bit. Plus, most of the people were too wasted to remember anyway,” I said.
She yawned and covered her mouth. “No, I wouldn’t do that. It’s against bartender-customer privilege.” She set her empty plate down and sighed.
I snorted.
“Okay, now I really should go. You’ve given me enough of your time and food for one afternoon.” She stood, and this time I had no other tricks up my sleeve to get her to stay.
“It was my pleasure,” I said, following her back through the house. She gave Potato lots of attention before straightening up and looking at me.
“Thank you so much for the flowers,” I finally said.
She smiled, and my stomach flipped over. Twice. “Thank you for the cake and conversation. This has seriously been the best part of my week, Paige.” I found that hard to believe, but I blushed anyway.
“That’s really nice to hear. You’re welcome anytime, right Potato?” I asked and he ignored me to stare up at Esme. “I think he’s in love with you.”
“The feeling is mutual,” she said.
There was a pause that was thick with things unsaid.
“You can come back whenever, really,” I said, to fill the silence.
She leaned forward. “I’d like that. Really.”
“Good,” I said on an exhale.
Esme leaned even closer and my heart pounded so loud that I was sure she could hear it. Was she going to kiss me?
I wanted her to kiss me. I wanted it desperately.
No! That wasn’t how this was supposed to go! I was supposed to be the seducer. She was supposed to be desperate to kiss me.
She inhaled sharply and pulled back. No kiss.
“I’ll see you later, Paige,” she said, and I swore I heard a note of frustration in her voice.
“See you later,” I said, hiding my trembling hands behind my back.
She got in her car and I watched her pull out of the driveway. I didn’t shut the door until she’d turned the corner and disappeared. I leaned against the closed door and put a hand on my heart, hoping for it to stop beating so hard. If I was going to be in control of this situation, I had to be in control of myself.
So what if Esme almost kissed me? It wasn’t a big deal. People almost kissed every day.
Get it together, Paige.
Next time I would take charge. Next time, I’d be in control, Next time, I’d be the seducer. I’d be mysterious and sexy and she wouldn’t be able to resist me.
I had plans to make.
