Page 28 of Under My Skin

She’s beautiful in the moonlight, but seeing her here, under the bright lights of her studio, it’s like a veil has been lifted. It’s a sobering reality check to see just how drop-dead gorgeous she is.

When Lizzie looks at me again, she gives me a shy smile, her sweetness overflowing, like she’s unsure of how to act around me during the daylight. And, because I just can’t stop myself, I walk straight up to her and give her a hug and breathe in her lavender and vanilla scent. Exactly what I’ve wanted to do these past three nights.

Actually, so much less than what I’ve wanted to do.

“Hey, Lizzie. Looks like you’re going to have your hands full for the next few hours.” We break away, and she laughs but won’t make eye contact with me.

“You have no idea. More and more kids show up every week. I think I might have to hire an assistant here soon.” She finishes talking, and I can see her swallow, her nerves clearly matching mine.

“Mackenzie and Addy have been talking non-stop about this for the past week, so I can imagine everyone is pretty excited to be here. They get to play with clay and interact with a pretty teacher for three hours. What’s not to like?” I internally cringe at myself as soon as the words come out. I know I’m probably making her uncomfortable and definitely sending mixed signals.

Lizzie’s face goes red, and I must be an asshole because I like seeing her get all flustered by the things I say and do. “Right. Well, I better get the class started.”

“Um, yeah, I’ll be back in a few hours to pick up the girls.” I bend down and give them goodbye hugs, which they barely return. They just want to get in there.

“See you,” Lizzie says before she turns to the kids and calls for everyone to grab a seat.

I’m thinking of ways to keep busy when I see Reid walk up to me. That’s right, he brings his nephew here. He’s grinning, so I’m guessing he noticed our little interaction.

“That was cute,” Reid sing-songs.

“Fuck off.”

All he does is laugh, and somehow that grates on my nerves even more.

“Wanna grab some coffee? I work an overnight at the hospital tonight, and I feel like we’ve barely seen each other since you got back.”

“I’m down. We’ve got some time to kill. Let’s head to Francine’s.”

We make the short walk down the street and grab a table inside after ordering, allowing the air conditioning to cool us off.

“So, how did it go with Lizzie?” Reid asks. “You two seemed awkwardly chummy when I walked over.”

“It went well. We’re friends.”

“Friends?” He laughs sarcastically. “Is that what you’re going with?”

“She’s great, but it can never go anywhere. You know this.”

“No, I don’t. Why can’t it go anywhere? You’re both single adults who clearly have a thing for each other.”

“She’s young and I’ve got a lot going on. It doesn’t make sense.”

“What doesn’t make sense was your alpha man bullshit at Rangers if you guys are just friends.”

“Even if she can’t be mine, that doesn’t mean she can be yours.”

“Do you even hear yourself?” At what must be a defeated look on my face, he takes a deep breath and reaches over to squeeze my shoulder. “Maybe just do what feels right and let the rest figure itself out. You’ve been through hell and back. Let yourself live and enjoy life a little bit.”

“I am enjoying life, but I’m trying to find my bearings too. I’m overwhelmed and blindsided at the same time. I want to pursue Lizzie, but it feels selfish, and I can’t be selfish right now.”

“Just cut yourself some slack and let things play out. Don’t fight it so much. You deserve a second chance. This might be it.”

“By the way,” I try to deflect. “Have you spoken to Liam lately? That whole thing at the bar…”

He looks at me like he knows what I’m doing but goes along with it. “Nah, not yet. Let’s corner him this weekend and get him to talk.”

We finish our coffees, and Reid orders a second one while we keep catching up until it’s time to pick up the kids. When we both walk back to the studio, the street looks packed with parents and family members picking up their kids. When I look through the window, I immediately stiffen when I see Brian Kincaid standing too fucking close to Lizzie. I can see her leaning back slightly, trying to get a little space from him.

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