Thoughtful(188)

A half dozen outdoor heaters were spaced around the beer garden, taking the edge off the air, so it was actually kind of pleasant. I spotted Denny and Kiera over by the gate in the fence. Oddly, it was the exact same place that we’d sat the first time we came here. Did Denny do that on purpose too? Was he trying to fluster us into confessing? No need. When the time was right, we would tell him everything. God, I wasn’t ready to lose him, but I supposed I already had.

Keeping a casual, carefree smile on my face, I sauntered over to the table and sat down where an untouched beer was waiting for me at an open seat next to Kiera. I smiled at Denny as I sat down, and then did my best to ignore Kiera. Now wasn’t the time, even I knew that.

Hidden speakers pumped music into the garden, and drunk people were up on the dance floor, warming their bodies with almost-rhythmic movements. Kiera shivered while she quietly sat beside me. I wanted to throw my arm around her, warm her up some, since she wasn’t handling the nip in the air as well as me, but Denny had his eyes glued on her, so I left her alone.

We sat in awkward silence for an eternity, and I began to wonder what the point of this was. It was clear we couldn’t hang out as a group together anymore, not like we used to. Honestly, we hadn’t been able to for a while now. As I was running through appropriate ways to irrevocably shatter the bond between the three of us, Denny’s work phone rang. Just like last time.

Kiera and I both turned to look over at Denny. Nonchalant, he answered it and brought it to his ear. After speaking a few words to the person on the other line, he put the phone away. Letting out a regretful sigh, he looked over at Kiera. “I’m sorry. They need me to come in.” His gaze switched to me. “Can you take her home? I have to go.”

I was so surprised, all I could do was nod. Kiera looked shocked too. Out of all the possible events that could have gone down tonight, Denny getting called away to work wasn’t one either of us had anticipated.

Denny stood, then leaned down to Kiera. “Will you think about what I asked?” Kiera mumbled okay, and I instantly wondered what he’d asked her. Then Denny grabbed both of Kiera’s cheeks and kissed her so passionately, I had to clench the sides of my chair to stay seated.

I looked away before I did something stupid. When Denny straightened, I heard Kiera breathing heavier. Quite a kiss they’d shared. Hating every second of this, I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat.

Kiera watched Denny until he disappeared into the bar, while I struggled with controlling the sudden jealous rage I felt. By the time Kiera swung her head around to look at me, I was more or less in control of myself. I would pretend it hadn’t happened. If I ignore it, then it isn’t real. A change of subject was what we both needed.

Smiling, I grabbed her hand, now that I could. “I was wondering…since you probably don’t want to take me home to your parents yet…which I completely understand…maybe you’d like to spend winter break with me here? Or we could go up to Whistler? Canada is beautiful and…do you ski? Well, if not…we don’t have to leave our room.” Pausing, I gave her a wicked grin. I knew I was rambling, but I wanted her to focus on what she was gaining, not what she was losing. I would be the greatest boyfriend in the world to her. I’d give her everything I had, and then some.

She was staring at me, but I got the feeling she wasn’t really listening. Her mind was somewhere else, with someone else. Not knowing what else to do, I kept talking. “We could get a room with a Jacuzzi tub, order some wine, maybe get some of those fancy chocolate-covered strawberries. Then we could walk around town, check out the shops. It will be great, you’ll see.”

She swallowed, but she didn’t respond. Bunching my brows, I said, “That’s just one idea. We could go somewhere else if you like. I just…I want to spend some time with you. Alone. We really haven’t been able to do that. What would you like to do?” Her eyes had a faraway look, and she didn’t answer me. “Did I lose you?” She was still staring right through me, so I shifted my head to get her attention, and again asked, “Kiera…did I lose you?”

Her cheeks filled with color, and she glanced down at our hands, like she was surprised we were still touching. Concerned, I asked her, “Are you all right? Do you want to go home?” I knew this was hard for her, but I wanted her to see the hope I was offering. She wouldn’t be alone. I would be with her, every step of the way.

Nodding at my suggestion, she stood. I led her to the side exit gate with a hand on the small of her back. She scanned the parking lot when we stepped into it, and her eyes paused on the espresso stand. I smiled, wondering if she was thinking about our time there—the torture and the bliss. It was a night I’d never forget.