Page 291 of A Taste of Vanilla

She steps closer until her toes touch my shoes.

“Ask,” she says, a small smile on her lips.

“May I kiss you?” I ask, her fingers circling my wrists.

“Yes.”

My mouth lowers to hers.

The kiss is soft. Slow. She rises onto her toesto deepen it, but only for a second before she pulls back.

“I love you,” she whispers.

“I love you too.”

twenty-nine

. . .

Seven Minutes of Afterglow

HALSTON

The next day,I walk into Saints & Sinners after work like a woman with a plan.

It’s immediately suspicious to Marley, which makes sense. Historically, my plans have included running out of gas on the highway, getting drunk next door to my own business, and accidentally sleeping with her older brother before knowing who he was.

Growth isn’t linear.

Saints & Sinners is quieter than it was last night, though that’s not saying much. Last night involved a whole team of professional baseball players and emotional warfare.

Tonight, the bar is warm and low-lit. All dark wood, amber glass, and the smell of citrus, whiskey, and fried things I’m going to ignore.

There are a few Vipers tucked into the back booth, with one of them arguing with Marley about whether pastries shaped like a bat could be considered team merch.

At the end of the bar, Warren King sits on the same stoolwhere he sat the night he walked in and changed the direction of my life.

He’s wearing dark jeans and a T-shirt, his hair half-tied back. There’s a half-empty glass of what I can only guess is whiskey in front of him and a black coffee beside it.

He looks up as I walk in.

Oliver leans against the counter. “If you’re here to make my night sentimental, leave.”

Warren’s gaze moves over me with the heat of a man who knows what he wants, and he wants me.

I chose to change into a blue wrap dress. The neckline isn’t enough to be a problem, and the skirt hits mid-thigh. His eyes take it all in, lingering on my legs.

Then his gaze returns to mine.

“Halston,” he says with a nod.

Just my name. That’s all.

“Warren. Fancy meeting you here.”

He smiles. “I was invited.”

“By me.”