Page 15 of Lessons in Love
“Let’s start slow.”
“I was thinking over.”
Working on her drink, my gaze lifts to her. “I recognize you.”
Her eyes go wide. “Well, I hope so after what we did.”
I chuckle. “I mean this is the woman who caught my attention last night. Bold, empowered, ordering Gimlets as if she actually likes them.”
“I do like them,” she protests, sitting up straighter.
“Because I make a damn good Gimlet.”
“Yes, you do, but what do you mean you recognize me.”
I set the glass and a saltshaker in front of her and lean in closer so only she hears. “You’re tough, quick wit, and if I’m being honest, which for some reason I am with you, you’re the most beautiful woman in here.” I take a step back, wanting to leave room for my emotional outpour. I’d wipe it up if I could and reach for a rag out of habit. It’s too late. She’s enchanted. I’ve seen that look before. Now I’ve gone and done it. I bet it was the honesty.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“This woman sitting at my bar right now and that shy girl from last night, they’re two different people.”
“Which do you prefer?”
“I think you know.” I take a step back, not wanting to argue. This is leading into dragging those unresolved feelings up to the surface and I’m not ready to confront those demons.
“I’m sorry, Hardy. I meant what I said this morning and when I say it now.” She looks to her barstool neighbors on either side of her and then turns back to me. “What we did and how you treated me—it was beyond what I could have asked of anyone. I didn’t deserve you in the first place, but I definitely didn’t mean to dismiss you. I’m truly sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”
I sigh, already knowing I’ll accept. “I’m a sucker for an apology.”
“Katie O’Dowd said you might be a suck?—”
Pressing my fingers to her mouth before she says anything more, I cut her off and tease, “You need to stop listening to Katie O’Dowd. She talks too much.”
“She had a lot of good things to say about you.”
“If she has such fond memories, what made her send you in while she stayed home?”
“Pregnant.”
Taken aback. I did not see that coming. “I’m not gonna lie. My heart stopped there for a second.”
She bursts out laughing. “Don’t worry, you’re safe. She’s only three months along and she’s pretty sure it’s her husbands.”
I start laughing. “Pretty sure?”
“I was joking. “She’s happily pregnantbyher husband.”
Not worried in the least, but it’s fun to pretend. I wipe the sweat from my forehead and puff out my cheeks in an exaggerated exhale. “We should drink to that.”
“Can you join me?”
“Maybe.”
“What will turn that maybe into a yes?”
“Answers.”
“I’ll give you any answers you want.”
