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“I will. I promise.”
Fifteen minutes later, I wheel my two large suitcases along the sidewalk and stand in front of the door of the bar. It feels ironic to be in a place called theJourney’s End, since this is where my journey is actually beginning.
* * *
I scan the bar and see Tori sitting with Connor. He looks upset. His head is bowed and he’s playing with a pen, twirling it between his fingers. Deep creases crisscross his forehead. Tori has her arm around him and whispers something in his ear and rubs his back in a soothing way. I instantly feel the need to go to him, to comfort him for the obvious frustration he’s feeling. What’s the matter? What happened? Then, it suddenly occurs to me that his disappointment is probably because of me. He thinks I’m not coming, and it’s hurt him. I hurt him.
Tori looks up and notices me, then pats Connor on the back, nodding in my direction. His head lifts and his face instantly brightens. When he glances down at the two rolling bags I’m towing behind me, a hundred-watt smile erupts. He pops up from his barstool and both he and Tori walk toward me by the door.
“It’s good to see you, Lainey,” Tori says, but I detect a skepticism in her voice. There’s no doubt in my mind, she doesn’t mean that one little bit. “It’s good you actually showed up. I may have been wrong about you.” She gives me this little smirk and I can’t decide whether she’s being sincere or a totally sarcastic pain in the butt.
“You came!” The delight in his voice speaking those two simple words is all I need to hear. I’m doing the right thing. I’m scared out of my mind about what may happen, but I’m doing this. I want to do this. I want to be with Connor.
“You two have a good time. We’ll see you soon, Con,” Tori says and gives him a quick hug and kiss before floating out the door.
“I’m sorry I’m late. It just took me some time to … um …”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re here. You are coming, aren’t you? I assume you didn’t get a better offer, and the suitcases are for some other joker.”
I laugh lightly before replying. “I am going with you. Eddie Bauer did make me an offer to shop an online sale today. It was a tough choice.”
He laughs back at me and then falls quiet. His stare is intent. With slowness, he touches my face, leans forward and kisses me. Just once. And softly. But it’s enough for me to feel the happiness in his kiss that I’m here.
“I have a bit of paperwork I’ve got to finish for Ox before we leave. Have you eaten?”
I shake my head. “You always want to feed me. Why is that?”
“You need to eat, Lainey. You’re too thin.”
“I thought women could never be too rich or too thin,” I retort back.
Connor presses a soft kiss to my ear. I can feel his fingers loosening my grip on the suitcase handles as he assumes their conveyance from me. His breath is hot over my neck. The rush of heat ignites goose bumps over my body.
“One of these days, I’m not going to be able to keep my promise of no sex during a sleepover. And when that day comes, I want something I can sink my fingers into, Raven.”
I gulp silently. His voice is so seductive and erotic, I think my Inner Sex Goddess may have vaporized in a flash of spontaneous combustion.
“Lucas, get a glass of Pino for my girl and a number two special, medium.”
My girl?I’m Connor’s girl? And he saidwhenthe day comes, notif. My palms start to get clammy. This is all happening so fast, my head feels a bit dizzy. Strangely, however, my heart feels just right.
Tugging my suitcases into a corner booth, we snuggle in together — him with his paperwork and me with a perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned steak and a twice-baked potato. Every morsel is divine.
“I thought you weren’t coming,” he says, finally stacking his paperwork into a neat pile.
“I almost didn’t,” I admit. On any other mortal man, my confession would force a look of what could be deemed panic, but on Connor, it merely mimics a mild annoyance.
“I know you’re scared. I am, too. It’s going to be great though.” He takes my hand in his and it’s like the entire universe tumbles into place. I can’t explain it, but when we hold hands, it’s like fitting the cogs of a giant clock in sync so that time moves forward without glitches. And up until now, my whole life feels like it’s been one gigantic glitch.
“You know I’m scared?”
“Jesus, Lainey. I’d be worried if you weren’t.”
“Thanks for that. It helps.”
“All right, so you’ve got everything? Your blanket, jammies and favorite stuffed animal? Night-light? Prescription meds?”
I know what he’s asking. I’ve been on the patch for years, although not for actual birth control. And I did actually think to bring an extra refill for our trip so I could avoid the hassle of having the doctor’s office call in a prescription to a local pharmacy in wherever it is we’re going — which he hasn’t told me yet. But I play back and keep him guessing. Regardless of how much I may be interested, I’m not emotionally ready for sex with Connor.
