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“That’s an oddly specific thing to hate.” Deacon’s blue eyes seem to sparkle as he fights a smile.
“My parents wore the same matching shirts for family pictures. I swore I’d never do that.”
Satisfied that I’ll survive, his fingers slide from my forehead to my cheeks, cupping my face in his large hands. “I promise to never wear the same thing as you or document it with a photo. Unless it’s Ally’s doing, in which case, I’d risk your wrath over hers.”
“She is maniacal about her costumes, isn’t she?” I crack a smile.
“She is,” he agrees, then leans forward to whisper in my ear. “Plus, I sort of like you when you’re riled up. It makes me hot.”
I gasp just before our lips meet, erasing the sting of my collision, and replacing it with a rush of tingles in my core.I will never get tired of Deacon’s lips on mine.
“What are you doing here?” I smile up at him when we break apart.
His blue eyes lock onto mine with a mischievous glint as he slides his hands to my waist. “I figured I’d plant myself at the bar and stare at you all night now that I don’t have to pretend I’m not looking.”
“That’s how you want to spend your evening? No bike rides or drinks with the guys?” I bite my lip in an effort to contain my grin, though it’s a futile gesture. When he looks at me like this it’s impossible not to swoon.
“The guys will give me shit about how it’s time I settle down or being the last and hardest to fall. That’s if they don’t ask how the damage was limited to a black eye. And after years of giving them the same shit I figure they’ve earned the right to haze me where they can watch me staring at you with a sappy look on my face.”
“You don’t look at me like that.” I swat his chest.
“You’ve nevercaughtme looking at you like that.” He winks. “Bet you will tonight, though.”
He leans forward, and I ready myself for his kiss, but at the last moment his gaze flicks behind me and his body goes stiff. It’s then I remember what I was doing right before running into him, and I swivel my head to see Lennon staring at us, mouth hanging open. My body goes rigid as well.
“I uh… You two…Shit.” She lets out a heavy exhale. “I think I owe you guys an apology.”
Deacon shifts me so I’m standing next to him, his arm draped protectively over my shoulder. And we wait.
“I get it now,” Lennon says.
“Get what?” My voice is noticeably level. Skeptical.
“He didn’t know I was here.” She jerks her head in Deacon’s direction.
“So?” I ask.
“So, that wasn’t an act for my benefit. Everything he said was genuine. He really does care about you.”
“You still don’t have it right.” Deacon’s tone leaves no room for argument. “I love her. More than anything.”
“I can see that,” Lennon agrees with a sad smile. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe it before.”
“I know why you didn’t. And I don’t blame you for being skeptical. She might.” Deacon tugs me closer and drops a reassuring kiss on my forehead.
Lennon’s eyes find mine, and I see the remorse in them. It doesn’t make the sting of her earlier words go away.
“How do I make it right?” she asks me.
“You can’t. Not by saying sorry anyway.” I shake my head slowly back and forth. “You have to show me you mean it. Trust my ability to make decisions for myself.”
“Okay.” To her credit, she accepts she didn’t do that instead of trying to insist she did.
“And don’t hold Deacon’s past against him. Everyone has the right to move forward without judgment from others.”
“That’s fair.” Lennon nods her head with an apologetic glance towards my boyfriend.
“Good.” I glance between the two of them, not sure what else to say, and feeling like I’ve probably said enough for now. “I better start my shift.”
