OLIVIA…
My heart was breaking. No, not breaking. That had happened the moment Jim had gotten ice for me. The moment I’d realized how kind and amazing he really was.
He sat across from me now, waiting for an answer.
“You’re not wrong, Jim. I do feel the pull, and I am interested in you. I only misunderstood what you meant.”
He tilted his head. I’d confused him further, now.
“What did you think I meant?” he asked.
“Remember those deep dark secrets? You know I have them. What I thought you meant relates to those secrets, and I’m not ready to talk about them yet.” I sat still waiting for his response, hoping I hadn’t just said too much.
Jim exhaled a long breath and relaxed in his chair.
“Fair enough.”
The Others swirled around him as he split the pastries in half. He didn’t seem mad, but I couldn’t help but wonder why else he no longer wanted to feed me from the whole pastry.
“We’re not sharing?” I asked.
“Oh, I want to. Too much. But maintaining control is difficult with the taste of you on my tongue.”
The way he said it sent a thrill of need and sorrow through me. Making a choice, I focused on the need. I wanted the good memories he’d promised. Reaching across the table, I offered my hand. He took it, his warm touch a comfort as he gave my hand a brief squeeze then fed me another bite of pastry. While I chewed, he took a bite from his own half.
We finished the rest of our treats in silence. Every bite another memory to hold onto. And I would hold them. Forever.
Once we finished, he threw away our trash then offered me his hand again. We left the bakery and walked together down the busy sidewalk.
For the next several hours we wandered, he described the buildings, the people, and city life to me. His words painted a wonderful picture. He gave definition to the vague shapes I’d seen my whole life. He wasn’t just giving me a few favorite moments; he was giving me thousands because each moment spent with him was a new favorite. I drank in his attention, wishing it could be like this forever. But, I knew reality waited and wouldn’t be denied for much longer.
“Should we go back?” I asked after he finished describing an outfit on a window mannequin.
“Are you afraid I’ll drag you inside?”
“No. I’m worried we’re spending too much time having fun and not enough trying to help Bethi figure out—”
The finger he set on my mouth invited trouble. I opened my mouth and nipped him. He grunted and tugged me closer. My insides heated as his fingers swept over my cheek and down the sides of my neck, a gentle, fond caress.
“Grey says that Bethi and Isabelle drove closer to the mountains. They’re spending some time getting rid of Bethi’s fear and just talking. When they’re on their way back, we’ll head back, too.
“And, since you’re not afraid, let’s go inside. I think you need some new clothes.”
I half-laughed, because I knew I didn’t, but let him lead me in anyway. Racks of clothes filled the large space. The Others didn’t spend too much time swirling around the clothes but did move around the people. Several shoppers moved in the main space. Another person stood off to the side near a counter. One stood near the door where we’d entered.
“There’s nothing interesting in the front. Let’s go to the back,” Jim said, uncharacteristically non-descriptive as he tugged me forward.
“What do you see?” I asked.
“Dresses, but not good ones.”
The person near the door clicked her tongue in annoyance.
“Since you’re a man, I doubt you’d find any dress good enough,” I said to mollify her.
“Not true,” Jim answered, ruining my attempt. “This one is perfect for you.”
He plucked something from a rack and held it up, calling the attention of the Others. They swirled around it, outlining the dress. There were no sleeves, just thick straps, and the front seemed to dip low.
“What color is it?” I asked. My fingers brushed over the silky material. When I felt around to the back, Jim pulled it out of my reach.
“You should try it on,” he said.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. My back is still sore.”
“Oh. Right. We’ll just get it then. And a swim suit. I’ll pick that out for you, too.”
I smothered my amusement.
“When do you think I’m going to wear either?”
“As soon as your back is healed. I’ll take you on a real date.”
“And a real date involves swimming?” I asked.
“If I’m extremely lucky, it does.”
I snorted and followed him as he looked at swim suits. The Others followed him, also, and outlined the suits enough to let me know the one he finally picked didn’t have much material to it. I’d never wear it, but I kept that to myself. He was having too much fun shopping for me to ruin it.
When we finished and paid, I thought he would say it was time to go back. Instead of calling it a day, he tugged me into another building.
The Others danced around the people in the restaurant, creating a mesmerizing display of movement to go with the mouthwatering smells coming from the kitchen.
“Table for two, please,” Jim said.
“Of course. It’s about a thirty-minute wait,” the host said.
“That’s fine.” Jim gave his name.
“If you’d like to go to the bar area, I’ll call you when your table’s ready.”
Jim took my hand and led me toward the long, curved bar off to one side of the dining area. The Others outlined the chair he held out for me. Not that I needed them. Jim gently guided me into the seat then ordered us both a beer.
“I’m guessing you’ve never had one before,” he said.
“You’d be correct. I’ve had wine, but no beer.”
“Yeah, Michelle described Blake’s dinners to us after a while. Beer’s better.”
When the bartender returned with a chilled glass, I took it, ready for my first sip. The beer bubbled on my tongue slightly. A hint of bitterness hit me. I swallowed, and the bitterness faded followed by a smooth aftertaste.
“Not bad,” I said.
“Not bad? Beer is the nectar of life.”
“I thought water was the nectar of life.”
“Whoever told you that lied and wanted you to suffer a life of sobriety.”
I snorted a laugh.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Says the person who’s never been tipsy. Drink up, buttercup.”
I arched a playful brow and drank deeply, draining half my glass.
“And what will you do when I’m drunk, and you have to take me back to the hotel? Michelle told me this is your favorite way to get into trouble.”
“Nah, it’s my favorite way to show girls there’s more to life than what they thought.”
He leaned toward me. I held my glass and kept my focus forward.
“You’re already flushing from what you’ve drunk,” he said softly, near my ear. “A pretty pink that draws my eyes to your lips and makes me wonder what it would feel like to kiss you. What you’d taste like. You say I’m not supposed to think like this, but I can’t seem to think about anything else.”
I turned my head and found his face inches from mine.
“You promised,” I whispered.
“I did.”
He leaned back with a sigh and rubbed his chest.
“Are you hurting?”
“Yes. But not the way you mean.”
I blushed further and took another big drink from my glass, trying to ignore him and the insistent fluttering in my stomach. Several deep breaths calmed everything. Just in time, too, because we heard Jim’s name called from the side of the room. He helped me from my chair and held my hand, leading me while I carried my glass.
“Your server will be right with you,” the man said after he’d seated us at our table.
Not a moment later, another shape approached.
“Can I interest you in a new…”
I tilted my head and waited for more, unsure why he’d trailed off like that.
“Her pupils don’t work. She’s blind,” Jim said.
I blushed, understanding, and ducked my head in embarrassment.
“But she can hear just fine,” I whispered, annoyed with myself. How could I have forgotten? Because being with Jim, I felt normal. Whole.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t your eyes, ma’am,” the man said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone as pretty as you.”
I grinned but didn’t lift my eyes.
“Just tell us the specials,” Jim said impatiently, making me smile even wider.
The man rattled off several things then gave me a few recommendations from the menu. After we ordered and he went away, I focused on Jim.
“Are you frowning?” I asked.
“Maybe.”
“Pouting?”
“Yep.”
I laughed, feeling such pure happiness, I couldn’t contain it.
A sudden stab of rage right between my eyes made me wince and my stomach sink to my toes with dread. I stilled and turned my head, trying to sense Blake. He wasn’t as far away anymore.
I swore and reached for my phone, but Jim covered my hand.
“Leave it. Whatever you’re feeling from him can wait. This is supposed to be a fun afternoon just for you.”
The phone chirped. I frowned, confused.
“That can’t be Blake. He wouldn’t text. He knows I wouldn’t be able to read it.”