Page 91 of Return to Me Always

"What's the sigh for?" he asked, slipping in beside me.

"Just—just—" Oh, God. Now I felt stupid.

"Just what?"

I sighed again. This night was too much, but what did I have to lose by asking. "Well, I was wondering if, um, you bring all the girls here."

I couldn't even look at him because I was too freaking embarrassed, but his hand on mine caught my attention, causing me to glance up at him.

"I've never brought anyone here before," he said, staring into my eyes.

"Oh." I really didn't know what to think of that. So maybe I was kind of special, just not special enough to love. That was great and all but not enough.

I wanted it all. I needed it all.

Breaking the eye contact, I kept my gaze on the table, fiddling with my napkin, not sure what to say.

"So," Tyler said and paused.

"So," I answered in return.

The silence between us stretched out, the only sound the occasional faint noise from above us. This was so damn awkward.

"You're strangely quiet," he said, squeezing my hand.

That was an understatement. Still so unsure of myself, I put the napkin in my lap then straightened my silverware. "I could really use a drink. Some wine or something."

He gave me a sympathetic nod but didn't say anything.

"Too bad I can't because of the concussion." But boy, did I want one.

"Not yet."

"You could have one, though," I offered. Maybe it'd be easier if at least one of us could drink.

"No. I want to remember every second of this night."

My eyes shot open. What the hell did that mean? What was he expecting exactly?

"That... I didn't mean that like it sounded."

He looked down at the table while letting out a shaky exhale, shocking me with the realization that Tyler was uncomfortable. Tylerwas actually nervous!

At that moment, a waiter appeared and headed over to our table with water, bread, and menus in his hands.

"Hey, Tyler," he said. His eyes widened when he saw me. "Holy shit." Glancing away, he shook his head before returning his attention to us. "Sorry. That wasn't very professional of me. Just had a bit of a fangirl moment. I've seen Tyler a million times, practically every night, eating at the bar. But, well,you—I, um—"

"It's fine," Tyler interrupted with an understanding smile.

"Thanks, mate." Clearly recovered, he arranged everything on the table. "I'll come back in a while for your order."

With one more glance at me, the waiter left and went back upstairs, leaving us all alone again. Just when we were getting somewhere, now we were back to that weird silence as we both looked over the food options.

Tyler shook his head and put the menu down. "I don't even know why I'm looking at the bloody thing. I know it by heart."

With a faint smile, I put mine down too since the words weren't even making sense to me at this moment. Feeling nauseous, I reached for a piece of bread thinking that might help and nibbled at it while I watched him take a sip of water and also grab some bread.

After a few bites, I started to feel more like myself and not this insecure person I'd become lately. Once I'd inhaled more bread, all my whirling questions of the last few days came into focus.

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