Enough whining. I’d adjust.
The next time Vaughan came to town I’d be polite, friendly. Show him everything was cool. I’d learned my lesson, however. Dating was out of the question. Any hook-ups with friends were likewise. Parties between the thighs only complicated things. It just wasn’t worth the inevitable misery. If only orgasms and happy times lasted longer. You should be able to bottle them, let a smidgeon of pleasure and joy fly out when required. How nice that would be.
Wide grin in place, Masa floated past us with a load of dirty dishes. “Wonderful night, isn’t it, ladies?”
“Bite me,” grumbled Nell.
Well aware of our lovelorn state, the waiter just laughed, carrying on his merry way. I got my butt back into gear, checking on my tables. Joe smiled as I passed by the bar. Eric was busy chatting with two women sipping exotic-looking drinks. Life went on.
“If You Ever Want to Be in Love” by James Bay was on and I hummed along, getting into the groove of things. Super-slick music played tonight. It was Eric’s turn at choosing, a duty taken seriously by all members of staff once they were allowed onto the rotation. I had yet to be asked to submit a playlist. Maybe I’d just put one together, and force the issue. If everyone could tolerate Boyd’s punk then surely they’d be fine with a couple of hours’ worth of my pop and rock favorites.
“Can I clear those for you?” I asked a woman, moving in after she nodded to remove the dinner plates.
“Hold up,” said a voice behind me. A very familiar one.
A hand reached around, taking the plates from me and setting them back on the table. The arm covered in tattoos was every bit as familiar as the voice.
I turned, heart stuttering at who stood before me. Lots of stubble and rumpled clothes. His hair was a mess, shadows circling his eyes. Didn’t matter. He was the most beautiful welcome sight I’d ever seen.
“Vaughan.”
“I got all the way to L.A. and I realized something,” he said.
“What?” I frowned.
“I don’t know who the first guy you ever fucked was.”
Some gasped. Another person tittered.
My mouth opened, but I had no words.
He shoved a hand through his hair, weary face lined. “I told you my story. You never got around to telling me yours, however.”
“Oh.”
“So?”
I blinked. “You want to hear it right here and now?”
“Sure. Why not.” He turned, searching for something. His hand grabbed mine and he towed me across the restaurant to an empty table in the corner. A seat was pulled out for me, and I sat.
“I think I’m having a heart attack,” I mumbled.
“Hmm?” He sat opposite me, leaning his elbows on the table. “Oh, I don’t know your favorite color either. Isn’t that weird? It feels weird. I mean, I should know things like that about you, shouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know.”
“Of course I should!” He smiled, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“What’s happening?”
“Hmm?” His warm hand cupped my cheek, his gaze soft and lovely.
“What is this? Why are you here?” I asked, shuffling forward in my seat. Stupidly enough, on the verge of crying. My eyes were itchy, swollen. My heart felt much the same. Apparently, heartbreak itched. I was obviously allergic.
“I just told you.”
Much too much emotion poured through me. I couldn’t take it. Not again. I pushed away his hand, shaking my head. “You got to L.A. and turned back around because you don’t know what my favorite color is?”
“Yes.”
“That’s insane.”
He shrugged, slouching back in his chair. “I needed to know.”
“You couldn’t just text?” Oops, my voice got a little loud. I’d say we were attracting attention, but given his odd entry, we already had.
“No.”
“No?” My hands were trembling, idiot things. I sat on them, got them out of sight. “What do you mean, ‘no’?”
“There’s more questions.”
“How many more?”
“Lots.” Perfect sky-blue eyes. I could have happily gotten lost in them and never left. “I can’t give you an exact number.”
I pressed a hand to my chest. Thump, thump, thump. Heart rate accelerated. Body shaking Sweat covered my back. This was not good. I picked up a menu and started fanning my face.
“Babe?”
“I don’t understand any of this,” I said, mostly to myself, but he was here too. Whatever.
Slowly, he pushed back his chair. He rose and came over to my side, crouching at my feet. A big warm hand covered my bare knee. I’d decided to wear a black pencil skirt on account of the hot weather. Thank god. Skin to skin with him made everything right. I calmed at his touch. My heart rate eased back to normal, my head no longer felt like it was about to explode. I wished that didn’t happen. Vaughan having any kind of physical effect on me did not bode well. I had no say over my emotions. It wasn’t too much to ask for my body to keep this crap under control, however. Surely not.