Page 20 of Love Resurrected
“Practice,” she says flippantly.
“Don’t let her fool you.” Chance comes up behind us and runs his hands down her arms, then wraps them around her from behind. “She just doesn’t slur. Like a freak of nature.”
Remi looks up at him and smiles. Both mirth and love shine equally from her face.
“I’m going to get you home and—” Chance starts.
I clear my throat loudly, so I don’t have to hear what he says next. Because I miss that. And I want it back. The love and acceptance, desire and compatibility, promise and longing. In equal measure, I never want it again, so I can ensure avoiding the pain of another such loss.
“And with that, I'll let my man take me home,” Remi says. She leans in and kisses me on the cheek. “You good?”
I nod.
“Let me know how it goes with you-know-who.”
I nod again, knowing she’s referring to Tenley. She and Chance leave and I decide to head out too. Right after I find Tenley and make plans to meet her for dinner. I’ll appear as though I’m trying to move on, I won’t really have to, and everything will be fine.
7
Tenley
The event has gone better than I could have ever hoped for. We raised a ton of money, even if I don’t count the money I threw in for Brad. And everyone involved seems to be having a great time. I make my way to the front exit, so I can step outside to grab some fresh air and quiet for a moment.
The night is warm, and the slight breeze feels good after the cool of the air-conditioning in the building. I raise my arms over my head and join my hands together, bending my body from side to side, stretching my tired muscles.
“Happy freakin’ birthday to me,” I say aloud. It wasn’t the ideal way to spend it, but it wasn’t all bad either. And, as I keep telling myself, it’s for a good cause.
“It’s your birthday?” I hear a deep voice, startling me. I turn to see Brad Mathews looking at me curiously. His head is cocked to the side and his eyes are squinted ever so slightly.
“Yes, it is,” I reply.
“Well, happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
He smiles and I smile back, then we stand there in uncomfortable silence.
“Well, I’d better—” I say, at the same time he says, “Wanna have dinner?”
Dinner? Is he for real?
“Now?” I ask.
“No.” He scoffs. “But sometime.”
“Why?”
He shrugs. “Gotta eat.”
“You don’t even like me,” I protest.
“Don’t we have to go out for this auction thing?”
“Definitely not. I mean, other bidders and bachelors might, but we don’t.”
“Okay. Well, I promised Remi I’d ask you out.”
“You promised Remi you’d ask me out?” I confirm.
