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“You’re not staying…” she repeated, her tone laced with confusion.
I shook my head, itching to reach out to her. “No. I got a job offer in New York. Received the news right before our date.”
“Oh. Okay…” She dropped her attention to her coffee again.
“I like spending time with you, and kissing you is like a drug I didn’t even know I was addicted to. But I’m not so selfish that I’d get involved with you when I have no intention of sticking around. I didn’t want to let things go too far, so that’s why I left.”
Her brows knitted together again, and I fought the urge tosmooth the wrinkles from her forehead. Man, I didn’t realize how hard it would be not to touch her.
“You didn’t want to let things go too far? Did you think I was going to have sex with you on the sofa while my kids were down the hall?”
“Well, no.” Once I’d gotten home that night, I realized I’d overreacted. But the way her touch awakened sensations in me I thought were gone forever scared the hell out of me.
She blew out a breath. “I get it. You’re not staying. Truthfully, I’m not sure I’m in a place to even consider a serious relationship, anyway.” She sighed and set her mug on the counter next to mine. “I have a lot on my plate. So…hanging out, going on a few dates until you have to leave sounds perfectly fine to me. We don’t have to make it into anything more than that.”
My subconscious was screaming at me to abort. That this was a bad idea. But as I’d said, I was selfish. I wanted to stand in her light for as long as she’d let me. Without allowing myself to think about it, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
I stepped closer, mesmerized by her lips and the way her tongue darted out to run along the top one. In that instant, my resolve melted into a puddle on the floor around us.
“Did you know that your eyes turn a brighter shade of blue when you smile?” She studied me, wearing a soft expression. “You should smile more.”
“I don’t have much to smile about these days.” My voice sounded gritty, and I swallowed hard.
She broke eye contact, tipping her head. But I needed to look at her when I told her my truth, so I tilted her chin up with my thumb and forefinger.
“But when I’m around you, I can’t help but smile. You make me feel alive again. Your ability to see the light in everything makes the dark parts of my soul a little brighter.”
She shook her head, her cheeks going pink.
Did she not realize her ability to smile, to laugh, when she had so much to grieve, was a breath of fresh air?
Caught in her orbit, I found myself angling in, hovering so close our lips were a breath apart. She sighed, scanning my face, then fixating on my mouth. When she locked eyes with me again, I closed the inch between us, fusing our lips together. In an instant, I recognized all I’d been missing for the last few days. My body came alive once again, and I craved more. More of her touch, her light, her joy.
But could I do this without being completely honest about who I was? I was moving to New York, and she had just started her life here. So, what would telling her I was there that day accomplish?
Her phone chimed, and she pulled back, releasing a sigh. With an apologetic look in her eyes, she picked it up off the counter.
“I have to go. Sarah’s waiting for me at the school.”
I nodded and stepped back, not entirely sure where we went from here.
Twenty minutes later, when I pulled into the parking lot at my physical therapist’s office, I felt lighter than I had in a long, long time. Maybe it was because of my moment with Tina, or maybe it was because, for the first time in a long time, I had a purpose. Either way, I was determined to strengthen my leg and enjoy all the time I could with Tina, then start a new chapter of my life in New York, doing what I loved.
The smile slipped from my face as I made my way inside. Because suddenly, all that hope dissipated. In its place sat a heavy weight that sank low in my gut. Everything was happening just the way I’d intended. But I couldn’t shake the sudden feeling of dread that continued to wash over me.
Chapter Fourteen
TINA
I peeredaround the great room, stumped. I’d already checked all the common hiding spots. Doing another one-eighty, I placed my hands on my hips and called out to my four-year-old again.
“Teddy, Mommy gives up. Come on out now.” Kyle was supposed to be here any minute for another swim lesson, and Teddy still wasn’t in his swim jammers.
As I spun in another circle, a knock sounded on the door. And that would be Kyle.
My stomach fluttered at the sight of him. He wore board shorts that hugged his thighs, and a tight-fitting T-shirt clung to his broad shoulders.
Hislips turned up into a smirk. “Take your time.”
