Page 22 of Bourbon and Bluebells

Cole laughed again. “But that’s changed, right?” He eyed Bentley’s arm, which still rested around Alyssa’s shoulders.

He might have a point. If she were just someone he’d hooked up with, even if they were both going back for seconds, Bentley didn’t think that he’d be holding on to her like that – or that he would’ve been holding her hand in the first place.

When he spoke, he looked at Alyssa, even as he answered Cole’s question. “It has changed, but it’s complicated.”

“Well,” said Laura. “I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong.”

Bentley was grateful to her when she gave Alyssa a reassuring smile before she added, “I think you’re right to keep it toyourselves while you figure it out. If you guys decide to keep seeing each other, you’d probably want to wait a while before you tell your folks anyway. And if you don’t …” She let out a short laugh. “I’d suggest that you try to part ways amicably, otherwise family gatherings might get awkward in the future.”

Alyssa chuckled. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Bentley tightened his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little shake. “Hey! You know I’d never make things awkward.”

As she laughed with him, he had to wonder what had gotten into him. He was treating her like someone he’d known for ages, someone he was comfortable with – not some woman he’d gone out and hooked up with.

The way Cole cocked an eyebrow at him again felt like he was wondering the same thing. He didn’t ask, though. Instead, he grasped Bentley’s shoulder and gave him a shake. “You’ll figure it out.” He turned to smile at Alyssa. “And don’t worry, I won’t say anything to your dad.” His smile faded. “But you guys might want to make your minds up sooner rather than later – about what you want to do and what you want to tell them.”

He wasn’t saying anything that Bentley didn’t already know.

“Thanks,” said Alyssa.

Bentley met Cole’s gaze and nodded. “Yes, thanks. I’ll give you a call.”

“You do that.”

Laura took a card out of her purse and handed it to Alyssa. “And you do the same. Give me a call any time you want.”

Alyssa looked down at the card in her hands. When she looked back up, she was smiling. “Thank you. Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.”

She seemed so thrilled that Bentley had to wonder if she didn’t already have friends lined up who she’d want to talk to when she got home.

~ ~ ~

When Bentley unlocked his door and gestured for her to go in ahead of him, Alyssa couldn’t help but note how different things were tonight from last night. Last night, he tugged her in after him, and immediately pressed her up against the door. Tonight, he followed her into the room with a rueful smile.

She grasped her hands together and studied her fingers; this didn’t feel good. Perhaps she should just go. Dinner had been great. Even chatting with his friends hadn’t been so terrible - after she’d gotten over the way he dropped her hand like a hot potato when he saw them. That wasn’t fair; he’d made up for that. And she could hardly blame him for doing it, she’d been as panicked as he was at first.

She felt him come toward her but didn’t look up. Instead, she studied her fingers more closely. He made her smile when, even though she was keeping her head down, she could still see, as well as sense, when he reached her. What she could see were his feet when they stopped toe to toe with hers.

She couldn’t stop the smile that came when he tapped his foot against hers. She’d only known the man for twenty-four hours, yet she already loved the way he did that.

He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her head. Something softened inside her when she met his gaze.

“Are you okay?”

It made her laugh. “I’m okay, thanks.”

He gave her a puzzled look. “And that’s funny because …?”

“Because I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who checks to see if I’m okay as often as you do. Even my dad, since I met him, he’s gone out of his way to always make sure I’m okay, but I still don’t think he checks as often as you do.”

Bentley shrugged. “I guess I’m just aware that I keep putting you in uncomfortable situations. I don’t mean to, and I need to know that you’re okay.”

As he spoke, he slid his arms around her waist and drew her against him. She reached up around his neck, loving the feel of his warm body against hers. “I’m okay. And you know, none of it’s your fault, or your responsibility. I’ve made all the same decisions that you have.”

“I know.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips over hers. “Except, your friends didn’t leap out and ambush us.”

She laughed. “I wouldn’t exactly call that an ambush. They were nice. I like them.”

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