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Though the past is incomparable to the present, it’s unwise of me to ignore this pang beneath my breastbone. The heavy and slow-expanding ache as I walk the narrowing path to heartbreak. As I tiptoe the tightrope with arms widespread and hope in my eyes.
Hurting either of these men will scar my heart. But in the end, devastation is inevitable.
I want Travis and Ben in my life, but can’t picture either of them clearly. For weeks, Travis has been front of mind, invading every moment with his flirty smile or calloused hands or lips on my skin. But after one heady kiss, Ben is front and center with Travis in my thoughts, battling for my affection.
Warm arms wrap around my waist and steal my attention. I blink a few times, then scan the dining room. From one table to the next, several sets of eyes home in on my face. Study the worry lines on my forehead and clamped lips between my teeth. Expressions blank, they simply stare.
And I hate my first thought:which of them is my admirer?
“Let’s go sit,” Travis whispers in my ear. He steers me toward the kitchen door and I go without hesitation.
“Text me with details,” Ben says as his fingers circle my arm.
Beneath the sleeve of my shirt, my skin tingles from his touch. Brows tight, my gaze darts to his. A mix of blue and green and deep affection stare back with unflinching resolve. The pad of his thumb strokes up and down, up and down, adding a subtle spark to the tingle.
A tornado of confusion swirls in me and upends every ounce of certainty.
The touch of a friend shouldn’t make your body buzz. Shouldn’t light small fires beneath your skin. Shouldn’t make you gasp or lean in. Their touch shouldn’t make your pulse soar.
Yet, my traitorous body doesn’t care I friend-zoned Ben.
With a forced smile, I nod. “I will.”
Soon as the words leave my lips, Travis whisks me into the back and sits me at a small table we use for breaks. Maxine stops chopping fruit and eyes us a moment.
“Not feeling well?”
Travis sets his jacket and the bag down. “A little woozy.” He flashes me a soft smile, then looks at Maxine. “Nothing some food and a break won’t fix.”
Maxine nods. “I’ll whip up something quick.” Eyes on Travis, she points to the walk-in fridge with the knife in her hand. “Grab her some juice.”
Travis enters the walk-in and comes out with a jug of orange juice. He finds a glass, fills it to the top, and sets it in front of me before filling another glass for himself.
Within minutes, Maxine sets two loaded plates on the table and returns to her spot between the range and prep station. I inhale deeply, my shoulders sagging as smokiness fills my nose.
Fetching clean forks near the dishwasher, Travis and I dig into fresh fruit, dairy-free scrambled eggs, home fries, and bacon. I moan as the first bite hits my tongue, and Travis freezes with his fork halfway to his lips. He cocks a brow, and I roll my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
When our plates empty, I take them to the dirty tub for washing. We thank Maxine and she waves us off, but not before making me promise to come back and sit if I feel lightheaded. Travis shrugs on his jacket, grabs the bag, and hooks an arm around my waist as we head back toward the dining room.
On shaky legs, I pass the threshold and pause as the cacophony of the early morning crowd hits me all at once. Crowds never bothered me in the past. But with everything that has come to light, the last place I want to be is in the middle of a packed room with all eyes aimed my way.
Breath warm on my ear, Travis whispers, “Want me to stay longer?”
The twist in my belly screamsyes,while my somewhat rational brain calmly saysno.
“I’ll be fine.” I repeat the words in my head and will them into existence. “Ollie’s here. Max is five seconds away. Deidra should be here soon, and Trudie in a few hours.”
Travis drops his arm from my waist and lifts a hand to cup my cheek. “Call me if something happens. I need to do some work at the station and talk to my dad, then I’ll be back.”
He presses his lips to my forehead, then tips my head back and drops a kiss on my lips. Fire roars in my veins when my tongue strokes his. The noisy conversations and curious stares fade into the background. Every thread of worry fizzles out.
Far too soon, Travis breaks the kiss and rests his forehead on mine. “Text you soon.” With one last chaste kiss, he releases his hold on me and heads for the door. Eyes glued to his back, I wilt when he steps out the door and disappears from view.
“That was hot as fuck.”
I startle, then turn and smack Oliver in the chest. “Don’t sneak up on me.”
“Sorry.” He rubs a hand up and down my back. “But in my defense, I whistled seconds before.”
