Page 45 of Until Tomorrow Comes
Jackson
Stop staring at her.
I scold myself, but still can’t seem to tear my gaze away from Kat. She looks up at me with wide eyes, and the shot glass frozen in front of her parted lips.
Her blue eyes are electric, framed, and highlighted in all the right neutral colors. Two braids on either side of her head wrap around to the back and intertwine while the rest hangs in loose curls. Everything Thea did to get her ready for girls’ night only enhanced Kat’s beauty.
Then there’s thatdamndress.
There hasn’t been a day that’s passed where I haven’t thought about how beautiful she is. From the way her eyes sparkle in the morning light as we walk the beach, to the way I find a new color in her dark brown hair every day. Before tonight, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her with makeup on and in tight-fitting clothing. I even let her keep one of my spare hoodies, which she now favors at night when we’re hanging out on the deck.
Regardless of what she wears, she’s stunning.
But between the dress Thea picked out, and the way she has relaxed as the night has gone on, I find myself mesmerized by her.
I resist the urge to let my gaze trail down her body again, and tip my chin toward the shot glass in encouragement.
The breath heaves from my lungs at her response.
Keeping her eyes on me, she smirks before throwing the shot back, and licking her lips. I follow the movement, watching a drop miss her mouth and slide down the side of her chin. She reaches up to catch it on her thumb. When she raises a brow and slowly wraps her lips around her thumb, it takes all my effort to stay in place.
The subtle sass that breaks through has me shifting on my feet and fighting the urge to adjust myself.
“One more!” Addison squeals, breaking the heated stare off between us.
Kat’s head whips toward her, both brows raised.
“Do you want me to pass out on the floor?” Kat laughs and Addison orders one more with a shrug. I take the moment to lean forward until I’m close enough to whisper in Kat’s ear.
“I would never let you pass out on the floor.”
It shouldn’t bring me such satisfaction seeing the goosebumps that break out across her neck and spread down her arm, but it does. Her reaction tells me what I need to know.
This attraction isn’t one sided.
Kat pulls away slightly, turning to face me, but not flinching away from my closeness. Her mouth opens to respond, only Addison lets out a loud “whoop” and causes Kat to look back at her instead.
“That should do the trick.” Addison states, looping her arm with Kat’s and smiling brightly. “Let’s go.”
With that, I’m left at the bar, watching Addison drag Kat to the dance floor. I shake my head and laugh when Thea and Stella immediately squeal and shimmy to meet them halfway.
Kat sticks to the outside of the group, swaying from one foot to the other, until Thea pulls her in. The longer she dances with the group, the more she shines with confidence.
“Who is that with Thea and her friends?” A voice questions from beside me. Checking over my shoulder, I relax slightly when I spot the bakery owner, Mrs. Maria, next to me. She’s leaning away from me, the question clearly meant for the young woman on her other side, but I can’t help but follow her gaze with a smile of my own. I rest my back against the bar and answer while focusing on Kat.
“She’s a… friend that’s staying with me.”
“Hmm, well she’s a cute thing.” She taps me on the shoulder, drawing my attention back to her. “Just a friend?”
Clearing my throat, I nod once. Shifting on my feet at the answer to her question, I rub a hand along my jaw.
Kat getting comfortable here shouldn’t bring me as much happiness as it does. And not just at my house. I’m not a social person, and before Kat came to stay with me, it was rare for me to go out in town. Mostly because my mom would find out and show up.
But the idea of going out and having people associate Kat with me, has me fighting a smile.
Mrs. Maria takes a slow sip of her drink, her stare burning into the side of my head. As the owner of the bakery right next door, Maria knows everything about anyone who steps foot in this town. She’s also been known to meddle in everyone else’s personal lives, even while her own love life fell apart.
“Well, I guess that’s a good thing, cause it definitely appears that Cooper is ready to make his move.”
