Page 24 of If I See You Again
He nodded at my explanation. “Then, I’d definitely like to try it. Especially if it’s an important memory for you.”
My face heated again. What was it about his caring so much that made me feel embarrassed? I shouldn’t have been. David had been nothing but caring since day one, and it constantly had me lowering my defenses around him.
I should give in. I’d done it once before. There was no reason not to, outside of our professional relationship, and I’d hate to let a good thing slip by just because of that. Not only had he been kind, but he knew all my secrets. He’d seen me at my worst and hadn’t run for the hills. That had to mean something, right?
Little flutters exploded in my gut at the statement. “We can check it out. That’s not a problem.”
I grabbed my jacket and headed toward the door. David followed close behind me, and we climbed into my car. At first, I wasn’t sure where to take him. There was so much that I could show, but would it send the right message? Did I even care anymore? It was funny how one day with my family had changed some of my perspective.
We drove around Waukegan, and I showed him where Marcus and I had gone to school before taking him to lunch in the next town over. Gurnee wasn’t much better, but at least it had a mall with a few restaurants. David got a kick out of all the Navy sailors in their uniforms who swarmed the shopping center. I explained where they went to boot camp, which wasn’t far away, and during their graduation weekend, this was where most of them ended up.
When we were younger, Mom and Dad would participate in the Adopt-a-Sailor program every year for Thanksgiving. With the way Mom was excited this year, I was surprised we wouldn’t be having additional guests in that capacity. I shouldn’t speak so soon, though, since she could still sneak that in.
We decided on a little bistro where I got a steak salad and David got a bowl of lobster bisque soup. After eating, we wandered around the mall for a little longer. I wished there was something more exciting to show him, but there wasn’t a lot to offer.
After what felt like hours, David grabbed my arm, stopping me from continuing to wander.
“This is a cute little mall, but it sort of takes me back to high school, don’t you think?”
I laughed awkwardly, scratching at my neck as I looked around. “A bit. Yeah. There just isn’t a lot around here. During our teens, Marcus and I would hop the train using a weekend pass and hang out in the city. It was only a little over an hour’s ride and really inexpensive.”
David’s hand slid down to mine, threading our fingers together. He pulled me closer to him as I scanned our environment. Most people didn’t seem to pay us any attention. While I didn’t worry about my sexuality in Chicago, it was different in smaller towns.
“I like hearing these little bits of your past, but it feels like you’re stalling. Why don’t you want to take me to this little ice cream shop?”
I laughed, pulling out of his hold, not missing the look of disappointment that flashed across his face.
“All right. You just want a sweet treat. I can take you for that. It’s just closer to my parents’ place, is all.”
His hand grabbed mine once more. Once he had a hold on me, he pulled me into his chest, taking me by surprise.
“Do I want something sweet? Maybe. But there’s also the chance that I want to know your favorite flavor. There’s a dirty little intention behind that as well. I want to know it because I want to know what it tastes like when I lick it off you.”
My body was on fire. My dick went from just chilling to a steel pole in two point five seconds. I’d never heard anything more arousing in my life. In reality, I should have discouraged it, but I didn’t. Nope. I gave up fighting it.
While the fear that life would take everything away from me again was still going strong, I needed to take the chance. To take the leap. If I never took a risk, I’d never get the reward. David’s persistence was endearing. While most people would find it annoying or overly pushy, I almost needed it, or I’d never step out of my comfort zone.
David Garrison would be my undoing.
Chapter 18
David
We pulled up outside the cutest little red-and-white building next to the Waukegan docks. The train station wasn’t far off either.Dockside Ice Creamis what the sign said. It was old, with the paint chipping in several places.
“Marcus wanted to go swimming one summer, and Mom brought us out here by the pier. It was a shitty idea. It’s a boat launch. There are many better swimming locations, but Mom and her ideas. Instead, we ended up here… it sort of became a tradition after that.”
Malcom cut the engine off, opened the door, and climbed out of his seat. I didn’t hesitate to follow him.
The street was empty. No one else seemed to be out and about. It made sense with the way the wind blew harshly off the lake. Malcolm approached the front door to the small shop, picking up a tiny sign before turning back to me.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but it appears they’re closed for the season.”
I snorted out a laugh before joining him next to the bright red door. Looking inside the glass window, you could see the largeice cream display and a couple of scattered tables. The place looked severely outdated, but it also had it charm.
“That just means you’ll have to bring me back.”
Malcolm chuckled, glancing behind him at the door and then at his car. “You think you’ll be in Chicago that long?”
