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“Hell yeah. I’ve wanted to ask you out since day one of class. Wasn’t sure if you had a boyfriend or not, though. Got brave at the coffee shop today.” He nudged me with his elbow. “Your friend, Sarah, seems crazy.”
“She is a little wild.” Date. Wow. That sounded weird. “Date, huh?” I shifted my ring on my finger, and let out a long breath. Nothing wrong with that word. It was only a word. Date. Dating. Together. With someone.
Oh boy.
“Should I be worried about that look on your face? It doesn’t have to be a date. I—”
“No. It’s fine. I—it caught me by surprise.” I smiled. At least I hoped I did. Trent was sweet. Gorgeous. I should smile about that, right? “Date.”
“Let me guess. You don’t date much?”
“No.” I stood straight when I noticed Megan and Lucia coming. They were smiling and holding hands. Fingers intertwined, and Megan was huddled into Lucia as if sharing their own personal, private joke.
I’d had that with Damon.
Trent was a sophomore in college, had pretty good grades from what conversation we’d snuck in before the movie.
But he wasn’t Damon.
“So, since we agreed it’s a first date, which means more to come, am I allowed to hold your hand?”
“You’ve already held it. I remember distinctively you tugging me to the food counter.”
“Yeah, but not like this.” He slid his hand into mine, then slowly twined his fingers with mine.
Warmth spilled off his skin and heated me up. His fingers were strong and sure. Confident. He encompassed my small hand.
I could curl my fingers around his, effectively closing the door on Damon.
Or, I could pull away, leaving the door cracked in case Damon came back…
Chapter Fifty-Five
Damon
“HeyBill.Doesthissay, ‘What day is it?’” I showed him my book.
“Yep.” He slapped my back.
Sweet.I was getting this Braille shit down, slowly but surely.
“Here. It’s Coke.” I heard a glass hit the table in front of me. Skimming my fingertips over the surface, I met the cold glass. “Nothing stronger?”
“Nice try.” Bill grunted and sat next to me.
Even though I couldn’t see him anymore, he seemed to be his same self. Big guy, lumbering around this bar day in and day out. Laughing out loud, often, but also barking orders like a drill sergeant.
He’d done some hard time for accidentally killing someone, and he’d used it to better himself. To change his life. Now he helped screw-ups like Drey and me. And used his connections to help us figure things out, too.
“Good seeing you around again, kid.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Don’t get all mushy on me because I said thank you.”
He laughed, a deep one from his belly. I remember him being a big guy, so I guessed his stomach was jiggling like Santa Claus right now.
“Still a punk, though.”
“What’s up, D-man, what are you doing here?” Hunter asked from behind me.
