I shake my head. “I can’t do this,” I protest, wiping a tear from my eye before it falls, my voice cracking.
He steps back, looking toward his truck, then down the other direction of the road. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
“What?” I ask, confusion consuming me.
“Clearly we both need a breather. Let’s take a walk, and I promise I’ll keep my hands in my pockets.” I know he’s joking, but in the back of my mind I’m thinking that might be a good idea.
I want to be back in the safety of my little room at Emmie’s, but in this exact moment, the thought of getting back in the small, close quarters of the pickup truck’s cab does not seem wise. “Walk where?”
He thinks for a second. “Actually, I have a really great treat for you.”
Looking at him, I force a smile and nod in agreement.
“We have a little bit of a wait, but about a half-mile down this road is Congress Avenue Bridge. At sunset, a ton of people gather on the bridge to watch the bats fly out,” he explains.
“Bats?” I ask cautiously.
“Trust me, it’s breathtaking. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of seeing that whirlwind of creatures flying up into the orange sky.
We walk to that bridge, and we watch those bats. Thankfully what happened on the dance floor doesn’t come up again.
THANKSGIVING IS ALMOST here, and though I’m looking forward to a break, what I’m looking forward to the most is seeing my sweet Henry. Christian even seems excited to officially meet him. I thought after what happened on the dance floor he would start acting weird, but he seems to be fine.
“Emmie, can I borrow the truck?” I call into the gallery. Silence. I add, “I need to pick Henry up from the airport.”
“Sure thing, hon, the keys are—”
“On the hook, I know.” Without a moment’s hesitation I slip the keys off the hook and am out the back door, patting my pockets to ensure I have my phone and wallet.
“Hey, where you headed all dolled up?” Christian yells from the courtyard, using the back of his arm to wipe away the sweat from his brow.
In my lifetime, I’ve seen Christian naked more times than I can possibly count. I have been in Texas for a month now, and have seen his muscles glistening with sweat but still, a lump always forms in my throat when I see him in such a state. I tell myself, it’s a natural reaction, it doesn’t mean anything. I mean, really, with those jeans he wears, it’s like his body’s begging to be noticed. He’s an attractive guy, but so is Henry. Why am I even thinking about this? Because of that damn night at the dance club, that’s why. I can’t quit thinking about his. His breath on my cheek, his lips on the tip of my ear. He’s acting like nothing happened, and I wonder how he does it.
I glance down at my outfit. I don’t think I would exactly call myself dolled up, but I do want to impress Henry when he sees me for the time in over a month. Based on Christian’s words, I am guessing I picked the right outfit.
The little summer dress is not one of my own creations. It’s a rarity for me to wear something I haven’t made. I can’t believe it’s November, and I’m wearing a summer dress. Of course I’ve paired it with the cutest cardigan with iron-on patches of blue birds near the top button and knee-high boots. I do look cute, and I know it. The green in the dress even makes my eyes pop.
“I’m picking up Henry from the airport,” I holler back, not wanting to linger while Christian is in his current super-hot, sweaty, sexy state.
“Oh yeah, I forgot that was today.”
“How could you forget? It’s all I’ve been talking about for the past couple days.” I laugh.
“All right, I confess. I didn’t forget. I just didn’t know what else to say,” he says with a smile.
I pause for a moment, wondering what that means. Is he trying to tell me something without actually saying it? I shake my head and continue walking; I need to quit reading into things.
“Something’s not right with you,” I reply, pulling open the door of the ancient truck and stepping up inside, the door creaking loudly as I do. I’d have loved to take the Prius, but I know they need to keep that in case they have to run somewhere with Olivia.
“That’s what you keep telling me. Have fun.”
“Oh, I plan on it!” I exclaim, pulling the door closed behind me. I watch Christian’s face contort. What the hell did that mean? Why did I say that? It sounds like I’m going to strip down in the airport parking lot and have my way with Henry. Of course, let’s be real. It has been a month since I’ve seen him. There’s a very good chance that this may happen. But still … to say that to Christian? I must seem like such a slut.