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“That must have been a blast.” I slowly unwrap my sub, catching pieces of lettuce that try to escape and tucking them back inside. “Spending time in all those different cities.”
“We had fun. But it was work. Not a lot of time to explore each location when you have to keep to a schedule.”
“Ah, yeah. That would take a little of the fun out of it. I’m just jealous you got to see so much of the country.”
“You’ve never left New York?” he asks, biting into his sandwich.
“No, I have. We went to Disney when Libby was like five. I was a teenager, so not my first choice of vacation.” I huff out a sad laugh, remembering what an absolute bitch I was to my parents that summer. Wishing so much I could rewind time and…
“Where’d you go, Em?” Dex rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, drawing my attention to the present.
“Nowhere. Just remembering how much I fought with my parents that summer. And…I really wish I hadn’t now.”
“You must have some good memories?”
I stare straight ahead, allowing a few events to come to mind. “I do.”
“Focus on the good times.” In a lower voice he adds, “Regret will eat you alive if you let it.”
“It sounds like you know from firsthand experience.”
“You could say that.” He focuses on his lunch, and I take that as a cue not to probe for more information.
And enjoy our day together instead.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Dex
Isit wrong to be this fascinated by one woman? One minute she’s confident and breezy. The next, she looks so damn sad and vulnerable, I want to pull her into my arms, swear to protect her, and heal all her past hurts.
“Ready for cake?” I ask, wanting to see her eyes light up again.
“Ooo, yes please.” She folds the wrapper from her sandwich and tucks it in an empty paper bag. A woman with a neat streak wider than my own. Is there anything I don’t like about her?
She holds out her hands, eagerly wiggling her fingers. I pass her the box and a plastic fork.
“What about you?” she asks as she pops the lid open with a loud, plastic crackle.
“Nah.” My gaze roams over her face, dipping to her neck and lower. “I prefer a different kind of sweet.”
Pink rushes over her cheeks and she drops her gaze to the cake, poking her fork into the soft, light-yellow frosting. She lifts a big chunk to her mouth, slowly taking a taste.
“Mmm.” She closes her eyes. “Perfect blend of tart and sweet.”
Now I’m happy I took the extra time to check out the desserts when I picked up our lunch. I’m going to give her a complex from watching her lick every crumb and dot of frosting off that damn fork.
“You have frosting on your cheek.” I reach over and brush my thumb over the spot. Without thinking I lick the frosting from my finger.
“Is that how I have to convince you to try it?” she teases, smearing frosting over her bottom lip.
“Yeah, that works.” I grab her by the hips, dragging her into my lap so she’s facing me.
She digs into the cake and offers me a bite. Sweet sugary flavor explodes in my mouth, followed by a sharp tartness. “It’s good.”
We finish the cake like that. Her forking bits in my mouth, then taking a bite for herself. I tug the zipper of her sweatshirt down, licking stray crumbs from her chest.
After lunch, Emily helps me pick everything up and pack it away. I stand and then offer her my hand to pull her off the ground.
