Page 10 of Falling Faster
Tapping my fingers on my thigh, I contemplate the advice. I've taken the leap in regard to work, in trying to take my art career to the next level. I know firsthand how regrets can fester over missed opportunities. "You're right. And I would regret it if I missed out on time with him. I really like him."
"Then, you have your answer."
Noah arrives holding two to-go cups. He hands one to me. "That one has coffee. I saw you when I was in line. You look like you need it. Ready to scour the halls for treasure?"
I gratefully accept the cup and sip the strong brew. "You're the best, Noah. I hope Slater appreciates you."
"I appreciate him, and he knows it." Slater pulls Noah against him for a fast kiss. "Let's get going."
The convention center is a fifteen-minute walk from the hotel. I don't mind walking instead of grabbing a ride. The bit of exercise gets my blood flowing and helps clear my head.
The crowds are bigger than yesterday. I hold tight to my list, caught between the desire to search for what I need and to see Craig. If he's working, I shouldn't distract him. So, finding comic books it is. We stop by the closest table. Slater and I reach for the same issue, laugh, and I gesture for him to pick it up. "How'd you make out yesterday afternoon?"
"I found a few things, but we cut out early to get dinner and relax by the hotel pool." With the heated way Slater's looking at Noah, I have zero doubt their time alone included more activities than simply relaxing poolside. Even now, my friends can barely keep their hands off each other.
We follow a snake-like path, working our way down one side of the rows and up the next, winding through thevendors, stopping at each one. I'm not having any luck, but Slater scores a few things he's wanted for a while.
The pull to see Craig grows too strong to ignore. I throw away my empty coffee, pop in a mint one of the vendors was giving away, and glance at the opposite side of the hall, where his booth is stationed. Maybe a quick visit won't interrupt him too much. Jerking my thumb in that direction, I address the guys. "I think I'll make my way over that way. I'll catch up with you later."
After exchanging a knowing look with his boyfriend, Noah pats me on the back. "Have fun."
"Tell Craig we said hi," Slater adds with a smile.
Nerves tightening my stomach, I walk through the sea of people. Anticipation increases with every step. I swipe a speck of lint off my shirt, then smooth a hand through my hair. Rounding the final corner, I slow my pace.
Craig's booth is busy. He stands in front of the table at one end, talking to a small group of attendees while four volunteers costumed as various Avengers characters chat with another group and pose for photos with little kids.
Waiting for a lull in traffic, I peruse the neighboring tables for comic books while I watch Craig. As great as the man looked dressed as a superhero, Craig out of costume can only be described as dangerously handsome. Dark, wavy hair streaked with lighter brown and blond frames a chiseled face. He has tanned skin, a sexy smile, a strong body, and eyes that seem like they can see into my soul. Jeans encase his long legs and a white T-shirt with the foundation's logo stretches across his chest, hinting at the muscles beneath the fabric.
Finally, the group holding Craig's attention breaks away and he returns to the area behind the table. I set the comic book down and head toward him, craving another kiss, another touch, another moment.
Craig turns in my direction. The musician's features lighten with what I hope are welcome and happiness. He beckons for me to join him on his side of the table. "You came. It's good to see you."
"Hi." I can't stop the smile beaming across my face. We're standing close to the spot where I landed in his arms yesterday. "No bodies have catapulted themselves into your space today?"
"Not yet. But there's still several hours to go." Grinning, Craig runs his hand down my arm, a brushing of fingers that's both casual and intimate. "How'd you sleep?"
My body sways toward him as if drawn by a magnetic force. Can I kiss him? Should I? What is Craig expecting? Uncertainty swelling, I gaze into those mesmerizing brown eyes. "I lay awake, thinking about you for a long while. I also listened to the bands you've played in and the songs you wrote for other artists. Caffeine and sugar are the only reasons I'm coherent right now."
"Same here." Craig jerks his head toward the large to-go coffee cup near the end of the table. "Drained that pretty fast, and I feel like my insides are vibrating. Still, totally worth it. Sleep is overrated. Thinking about you, thinking about last night, was a much better way to spend those hours." His voice roughens and his gaze turns heated and hungry. "Ty…"
"Yes?" The word rushes out, just as it did yesterday, filled with an eagerness I can't hide.
Craig's focus slips to somewhere behind me. "Be right back."
I turn to spy what's captured his attention and feel him step away. The crowd is too congested to yield an easy answer. I swing back to find Craig sliding a box sticking out from the table beneath it once more. An attendee from theother side had kicked it out of place. This booth doesn't need more incidents with tripping hazards.
Stepping toward me once again, he smiles at two people approaching the table wearing shirts with the foundation's logo, and lifts his hand in a wave. "My replacements just arrived, which means I'm officially done for the weekend."
If Craig doesn't have to hang around the convention center, will he want to be on his way? Struggling to maintain my smile, I shove my hands into my pockets and mentally kick myself for getting a later start than I'd planned. I'd hoped for more than ten seconds with him. "Oh. Okay."
While Craig greets the newcomers, I edge to the other side of the table, thoughts spinning for some way to prolong our connection. A small group of people who had posed for photos with the volunteers in the superhero costumes have now claimed the newly arrived volunteers' attention. I move over a few more steps until I'm standing in the five feet of space separating the foundation's table and that of another vendor.
"Mind if I tag along with you?" Craig joins me, his fingers plucking at the edge of the leather strap encircling his wrist. He did the same action a few times yesterday, once during dinner and twice during our time at the bar. I don't know him well enough to judge it as a nervous habit, but the hint of vulnerability in his gaze adds to my suspicions. What could a superhero rockstar possibly be nervous about? Does he really think I would turn him away?
"I'd love it." The thought of getting to spend more time with Craig, and the sexy musician wanting to spend time with me, brightens me like sunlight after a storm. I pull my list from my pocket and hold up the creased paper. "Hopefully, we can track down as many of these issues as possible. I didn't find any yesterday, and haven't had luck yet today."
"I'll help you look. I've gotten to know a few of the vendors from doing the convention for the past few years." Craig scans the list and then looks at a map of the vendor floor plan. He taps one of the squares. "I know a guy who probably has all of these."
