Page 40 of Worth the Fall

“Is this seat taken?” I ask as I slide into the booth across from Grant. Nerves idle within me, only serving to reinforce Desi’s assumption that I’m already treating Grant differently from how I treat other men.

I’m not exactly sure how I feel about that.

“Hey there.” Grant’s face transforms with the warmest of smiles that makes parts inside me that I wasn’t aware could tingle come alive. We stare at each other for a moment, almost as if there’s a silent acknowledgement that the defensive banter we’re used to has no place here tonight. “You look beautiful.”

Uncomfortable with compliments, I blush. “You clean up pretty nice, too. Although, you can never go wrong with your uniform.”

Did I really just say that?

“So I’ve heard.” A smile plays at the corner of his mouth, referencing back to the first time we ran into each other, but his eyes hold so much more amusement in them.

A waitress comes and takes our drink order. There is ample chatter in the bar but an awkward silence between us. I play with the cardboard coaster, uncertain what step to take in the uncoordinated dance.

“Emerson.”

“Hmm?” I meet his eyes.

“There’s no pressure here. I just wanted to spend some time with you, have a few drinks, and catch up on what you’ve been up to. That’s it.”

Our eyes hold as I struggle with laying down my defensive shield and not running away at the mere mention of catching up. Catching up means talking about the past, and my past is dark as hell. And while he may already know the gist of my dark, it’s hard not to be defensive over something I’ve always protected.

“I’d like that.” I don’t remember telling myself to say the words, but there they are, out in the open, making his grin widen and his shoulders relax some.

“Good. That’s good. Because as stupid as it sounds, I’ve really missed you.”