Page 23 of Moonshine Kiss
One deep breath and I took the plunge for the good of the many. “I’m sorry that what I did hurt you,” I said. I chanced a look up at him. He reached out and stroked a finger over the knuckles of my hand. It was so different from Baxter’s sweaty pawing. So intimate. So stirring.
Damn it. Think about cats!
“I accept your apology,” he said.
“You don’t have to drive me home,” I said, changing the subject. His finger was still running the mountains and valleys of my knuckles.
“We live together,” he said dryly. “It would be stupid not to go home together.”
“All right. But I’ll pay you gas money.” I wasn’t about to start owing Bowie anything again.
“Since we’re here, why don’t we grab a bite before we go.”
Not a date. Not a date. Not a date. Do not think of this as a date.
And I was hungry. Starving actually. “Since we’re here.”
The waiter returned and cast a baleful eye at the now abandoned second table.
“Change of plans,” Bowie said.
“Musical chairs,” I added.
We ordered and sat in awkward silence for several moments. The tables around us filled with happy couples and loud parties. Everyone enjoying the night except for us. I’d known this man my entire life but couldn’t seem to find the words for small talk.
Bowie had never been one for small talk.
“So where did Baxter really go?” I asked.
His lips quirked, and he squinted at me.
“And before you say anything, you do know that I can tell when you’re lying, don’t you?”
“No you can’t,” he argued amicably.
“Try me,” I encouraged.
“I hate oysters.”
No squint. “True.”
“Hm. I think football is overrated.”
“False. Come on, really test me,” I told him.
He paused, studying me. “I think you look real pretty tonight,” he said finally.
No squint.
I shoveled a mushroom cap into my face to buy myself some time. I had fallen for this once before. Bowie being nice to me did not mean he was attracted to me. I’d learned it the hard way. Where this man was concerned, my instincts were garbage. “True. But I already knew that I looked good. Is that all you’ve got?”
“I think they should bring backBuffy the Vampire Slayer,” he announced.
“Hmm. True. And I agree.” I nodded my approval.
“Erin left because she thinks you and I have feelings for each other.”
I wasn’t sure which one of us was more surprised by the statement.
