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“You sure you don’t want to stay?” I ask.
“I’m sure.”
Raine walks beside me as we make our way down the block. Her hands are tucked into the pockets of her coat, and thank God for that, because we’re walking so close our shoulders keep bumping, and if her hand were free, I would probably take it in mine without thinking.
When we turn a corner, Raine halts in the middle of the pavement. I slow to a stop and follow her gaze to St. Colman’s Cathedral. It glows above the town, a gentle giant, a figure of light to break up the monotony of the dark sky.
“Isn’t it pretty?” she says.
I look at her. “It’s beautiful.”
Raine turns to me then. She tilts her face up to mine, and I’m certain I’ve never seen someone look so beautiful in the glow of a streetlight. Which is a ridiculous thought to have. And I would know. I’m an expert in ridiculous thoughts.
It would be so easy to kiss her. I think she would kiss me back. I’ve failed miserably at keeping my promise not to flirt with her. The more time I spend with her, the more time Iwantto spend with her.
I want to kiss her. I really fucking want to.
I almost do.
And then the thoughts come.
What if she’s been drinking?
I’ve been with her all evening and she hasn’t had a single drink.
She could’ve had one earlier. She could’ve had one when she went to talk to the musicians.
She’s not drunk.
What if you kiss her and get carried away? What if she wants you to stop? Do you really think you have that much self-control?
I do. Of course, I do. I’m not an animal.
Are you sure?
I’m sure.
If you’re so sure, why would you even question it? Why would you be thinking what you’re thinking right now?
“Jack?” Raine says.
“Hmm?”
She searches my face. “Are you all right?”
I swallow. “I’m grand.”
“Are you sure?”
I’m not sure of anything, ever.“I’m sure,” I say.
She looks like she doesn’t quite believe me, but instead of pushing the issue like I’m afraid she will, she simply takes my hand and starts walking, pulling me along after her. Once I catch up to her side, she laces her fingers through mine and says, “Have I already told you about the time I fell into the fountain at Trafalgar Square?”
“You did what, now?”
“Oh God.” She laughs, and I tug her closer to my side so she won’t accidentally step off the pavement and into the street. “It was so embarrassing, Jack. Absolutely mortifying.”
I hold her hand tighter in mine. “Start from the beginning.”
