Page 238 of Break Away
“I watched a video.”
I blinked. “You watched a video?”
“It seemed like the kind of thing men should know if they’re taking a woman to dinner somewhere with folded napkins.”
My chest did something deeply annoying and soft.
I covered it with a slow look down his body. “You watched a wine-key video for me?”
“Don’t say it like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re about to make me emotionally naked before we get to the truck.”
“You’re wearing a fitted shirt and saying things like folded napkins. That ship sailed.”
He exhaled through his nose, fighting a smile, then held out his hand. “Ready?”
I looked at his hand for half a second longer than necessary.
Not because I didn’t want it.
Because I did.
Because the night before had rewritten so much between us that my body still expected the world to correct itself by taking him away again. He noticed. He always noticed. His fingers stayed open, patient, not reaching for me until I chose.
I slid my hand into his.
His thumb brushed mine once.
Simple. Devastating. Rude.
“I’m ready,” I said.
By the time we reached the parking lot, I had figured out he had a plan. Easton Wade with a plan was a very specific thing. His shoulders were loose, but not fully. His jaw was calm, but not casual. His hand stayed at my lower back as he walked me tohis truck, and every few steps, he glanced at me like he wanted to make sure I was still there and he hadn’t hallucinated me into the evening.
I let him open the passenger door because he looked like he might physically suffer if I didn’t.
“Thank you,” I said, climbing in.
His eyes flicked to my legs because the dress rode up when I sat.
I arched a brow. “Responsible boyfriend.”
He gripped the top of the door. “I’m aware.”
“Are you?”
“No.”
I laughed, and he shut the door before I could ruin him further.
The truck smelled like him, clean soap, cold air, faint motor oil, and the peppermint gum he kept in the cup holder. There was a dark jacket folded in the back seat, and a small bouquet of flowers tucked on top of it, not roses. Bright little wildflowers in pink, yellow, and white, tied with grocery-store twine like he had stood there glaring at a floral display until it surrendered.
When he climbed into the driver’s side, I picked them up.
He went still.
