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I wrap my hand around my glistening glass. “I’m sorry you had to find out like that.”
“So it’s true then? You have a kid?”
The smile stretching my lips is automatic but not meant to gloat. “I do. And I’m not going to tell you more than once, if you ever make a scene like that again, in front of my daughter, her mother, or me, you won’t be waiting tables the next week. You’ll be sitting before Judge Nelson.”
Bailey nods again, the shimmer in her eyes producing zero effect on me. “It won’t happen again.”
I wipe my fingers wet from my glass on a green cloth napkin. “You need to know I never lied to you. I meant what I said way back then. I never intended to have kids, but it’s happened.”
“What about the rest of it? Does she know about your mom and your dad?”
A storm cloud darkens my mood. “I’ll tell her when I’m ready.” Soon, if I can get this conversation over with.
She waves her hand between us. “That seemed to be a pretty big deal to you back then and why you broke up with me, so maybe you should let her know before she finds out from someone else.”
“It’s been six years since your opinion meant anything to me, not to mention that’s none of your business.”
“You’re right. I won’t cause trouble for you.” She shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot.
If I didn’t know her so well, I’d suspect the opposite, but her sincere tone is one I’m familiar with. “I appreciate that.”
Caiti reappears at the other end of the restaurant.
“She’s coming back,” I announce.
Bailey restores space between us now that the private conversation is over and fixes a smile to her face.
Caiti’s hesitant approach slows. She appears to study my expression from across the distance. I lift my chin in assurance. Her responding smile settles some of the lingering tension. As she resumes her seat, that smile remains firmly fixed in place.
“I should get back to work, but before I do, I want to apologize,” says Bailey.
Caiti turns a quarter in her seat. “Okay.”
“I’m sorry for hitting you.” Bailey’s voice drops to a mumbled whisper.
“I accept your apology. You made an assumption. It wasn’t a wrong one, but it could have been.” Caiti flicks her attention to Bailey. “You don’t need me to tell you that.”
“I’ll leave you two to the rest of your dinner. Enjoy,” Bailey says and slinks off to the kitchens.
Palming Caiti at the back of the neck, I hold her steady and bring our faces close. “You meddled,” I grouse while staring at her sweet lips. My tongue sneaks out to run across mine as if preparing for a feast.
“I moved us past it.”
“Are you ready to go, or do you want to stay for dessert?” The heat I feel inside infiltrates my words with low seduction. The type of dessert I want doesn’t come on a menu at a steakhouse.
“I’m ready to go.” Her response drips with unconcealed desire.
I throw down a stack of bills on the table, including a tip, and thread our fingers together.
“Wait. Don’t you want your shirt back?” Caiti plucks the material away from the center of her chest.
“Keep it. Looks better on you.”
We weave through densely packed tables until the front door comes into view. I release our grip, guiding her with my palm settled into the low curve of her back.
Fresh evening air greets us with our first step on the pavement. The further we move from lingering classical music and patio chatter, the more nature replaces the noise. Crickets hum in the swishing grass of a nearby field, and birds sing their final songs.
“Where to?” I break the silence and jostle our entwined hands.
“Nowhere particular. This is refreshing, taking a quiet walk.”
She’s not wrong. I can’t recall the last time I held the hand of a pretty girl just to stroll along the sidewalk. “It is different. I don’t usually have time in my day to slow down.”
“Even more so with a toddler in the mix.”
“Ah, I knew something was missing. Next time, we’re bringing her with us.”
“I’ll suggest somewhere a little more toddler proof. She’ll eat a steak, but only after throwing half of it on the floor first.”
She paints a vivid picture in my head. “Noted.”
We come to a halt at the single stoplight in town. The cross traffic has the right of way, stalling our progress. I turn into her and grip the shirt billowing on each side of her hips. Caiti tilts her head back to regard me. Her hooded eyelids tell a tale of longing she’s yet to voice. If only I could add some persuasion.
Lowering my head, I watch her eyelids droop until the moment our lips touch. Under gentle coaxing, she parts for me, allowing my tongue to explore the cavern of her mouth. She tastes intoxicating, of bitter wine and her own unique sweetness. I want nothing more than to pop the buttons on my shirt and strip her bare, but the public environment hinders that craving. Instead, I dig my fingers into her curves to keep from wandering to indecent locations.
A horn honks, followed by a verbal whoop! Caiti and I reluctantly separate. A cherry blush stains her cheeks, and she swipes her tongue across her lip. “I don’t think I’ve ever made out on a street corner.”
I lace our fingers and tug her across the road. “I’m happy to be your first for anything. You just have to ask.”
Safely on the other side, we resume our walk. Only a few paces forward, Caiti stops with a tug on my hand.
“Sorry. My phone’s buzzing.”
“Take your time.” This leisurely stroll has no expiration.
