Page 56 of Untethered Heart
“No,” I whisper and shake my head. “She’s never been out of the state.”
“Does she have a passport?”
“Yeah. She’s always wanted to travel, just hasn’t made it anywhere yet.”
“Hey, L squared,” Claire calls without moving her eyes from the TV, “what are you two whispering about over there?”
“Nothing, Bombshell.”
Claire’s amber eyes glow from over her shoulder as she stares at her boyfriend. “Liar.”
Lee puts his wooden spoon down on the chopping board next to the stove and leans his hands on the bench to match Claire’s stare. “Prove it.”
“Don’t tempt me, Lover Boy.” She smirks.
I interrupt them with a finger in the air. “Could I please ask that any and all tempting be done after I’ve left the room?”
Claire winks, then turns back around to the TV. Lee keeps looking at her like she shines brighter than every star in the sky before turning back to his cooking.
It’s a beautiful kind of look. One to envy. Not out of jealousy for my friend, but longing for myself.
I’ve never had a long-term relationship. I’ve always been scared to take the next steps, ones that solidify a future. The way my mother left my dad, left all of us, it lingered in a way I wish I didn’t give power to, but I can’t seem to help it.
Claire rolls off the couch, flouncing into the kitchen and joining Lee as he tinkers with our dinner sauce. She wraps her arms around his waist, hugging her chest to his back.
Her smile is more content than I think I’ve ever seen it. She’s always been a happy and confident person, but this smile is effortless comfort.
It reminds me of what I told her the other week, the night things started to change for her and Lee. When she decided to let herself try, trusting the fall and knowing that whatever was waiting would be worth it.
I hold myself back to avoid the inevitable hurt, but what’s the harm in taking a chance on something unknown? If it’s a mistake, then at least I won’t be left wondering.
If life has taught me anything, there’s no amount of hurt that I can’t pick myself up from.
I take my chopping board over to the stove, pushing the chopped spinach into the hot pan.
With Claire and Lee making kissy faces at each other, I pull the note out of my shorts pocket, turning away so the lovebirds can’t see.
Every night that Caleb comes into the club, a napkin note is left under the empty glass in front of his seat before he leaves.
Most of them are simple, flirty messages, but last night was different. As he does every night he visits, Caleb asks when he’ll see me again. Learning my next shift wasn’t for another three days wasn't something he enjoyed. Which brings me to his most recent note.
A man can only resist a siren’s song for so long.
I don’t think I have it in me to wait three days for your words.
If you want to talk,friend.
Caleb x
He left me his number. I’ve been staring at it all day, wondering how to break the ice. I peer over my shoulder at Claire and Lee once more. Lee has her wrapped in his arms, swaying them on the spot, something he always seems to do, while he whispers in her ear. Claire’s cheeks blush, so I’m guessing it’s something sweet. Nothing sexual would make Claire blush; it’s the softness Lee brings out in her that’s her weakness.
Empowered by their affection, I pull my phone from my pocket, save Caleb’s number, then start a new message.
ME:
Hey, it’s Lex :)
I hit send and immediately want to smash my head against the counter. It’s been eighteen hours since he gave me his number, we’ve had many conversations over the last week, and thatwas the best I could come up with. Why am I so lame? My phone chimes in my hand, and I smash it to my chest, muffling the sounds from Claire and Lee.
