Hayes:Have dinner with me again tonight? I’ll grill burgers. Got the gas for the grill and I’m slicing fries now. I can even whip up a pitcher of sweet tea.
Regan:…Okay, that sounds nice.
Hayes:See you soon.
???
Three days later…
Hayes:When will you be home?
Regan:In about thirty minutes. Just wrapping up at the bar. One of our bartenders called off, so I wanted to help get through the dinner rush and my big brother Lawson’s in town for a short break before he heads back to the west coast for work. You off work tonight?
Hayes:Yeah… been a crazy three days working twelve-hour shifts. Feels like I haven’t seen you at all.
Regan:Yeah…
Hayes:Does that bother you?
Regan:No, I mean… I don’t know. In a weird way, I was getting used to us having dinner together every night, I think. It was nice. I liked it.
Hayes:Good to know. ?? I already ate since it’s so late, but I can make you something if you want.
Regan:That’s okay. I’m just grabbing something here.
Hayes:Okay. I’ll see you at home.
???
Another day later…
Regan:Hey. Are you working tonight?
Hayes:Nope. What did you have in mind?
Regan:I’m working at the bar but should be done soon. Maybe we could… I don’t know, watch a movie together or something when I get home?
Hayes:I’d love that. See you soon.
???
By the time Regan finally gets home from the bar, I can tell she’s exhausted. It’s close to ten o’clock now, and her usual bright-eyed smile is dimmer, her blue eyes heavy with fatigue. Her simple greenWhitewood Creek Breweryt-shirt is messier than usual, and I can see the weight of the day in the slump of her shoulders.
All that and she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
“I’m going to take a quick shower, and then I’ll be down. Did you pick a movie?” she asks me.
“I have two options. A funny one or a serious one.”
She shakes her head immediately. “Funny, obviously. Always pick the funny movie.”
I nod.Noted.I would’ve picked the same.
She heads up the stairs without another glance my way, while I stand there shamelessly watching her ass in those tight-as-hell jeans, my fingers twitching at my sides like a horny teenager.
Fuck, she looks good. Okay, she does everyday. And it’s getting harder—practically impossible—to keep playing the patient, steady guy that I’ve been working on being for her. The one who’s taking his time, showing her I’m here for her, proving that I’m as solid as they come and not a selfish bastard.
I’ve been trying to remind her of what we had and maybe, if I’m being honest, I’m trying to teach myself a lesson in patience and selflessness. Because the truth is, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to look away from Regan. Like I’ve been holding my breath, suppressing all of this, ever since she came back into my life. And now, her words from seven years ago: ‘Don’t fall in love with me,’ almost sound like a premonition.
