21
Danny
Istand there, cuddling myself against his chest, worried about what will happen once we pull apart. Wondering if when we do, Cole would want to continue to go our separate ways. I wouldn’t blame him if he did. I take in his smell and touch as if it will be the last time I can because it just might be. We break apart, and his lips curve into a slight smile. “I want to forgive you, Danny...”
I look at him with confusion. “But?”
“But you did lie to me, so it will take a while to build that trust again. It will take some time for me to fully forgive you, but I want to try because I really like having you around. You must promise not to lie or hide anything from me again. Promise me right now that you aren’t hiding anything else.”
I place my hand on his face. “I promise I’m not hiding anything else. I promise I won’t ever hide anything from you again, and I’m really hoping we can move forward from this because I really like having you around too.”
He sighs. “Okay, then how about we get together next weekend? Give us some time to clear the air. Have that first date all over again, but this time there won’t be any secrets.”
Even though I hate the idea of waiting a whole week to see him again, I agree. I turn to head to my apartment as he closes the door behind me. This is going to be one long week, but I am really looking forward to Friday.
* * *
When Friday finally comes,I have a hard time shaking off all the nerves running through me. I’m really hoping tonight goes well. I missed Cole this whole week. We didn’t text or call the whole time, and I’m hoping he’s still going to show up at the restaurant we agreed on. I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t. My stomach twists in knots as I tug on the sleeve of my coat, twisting and turning the material in my hands. I keep hoping to catch a glimpse of Cole’s tall and muscular form in the window behind me, but it never comes. I finally stop looking and just stand there feeling rejected. I keep going back and forth in my mind on whether or not I should just turn around and leave before our table is ready and I have to endure dinner alone. I’m about to make a break for it when a warm hand grabs mine. Cole has a wide smile on his face. One I never thought I would see again. “Hi,” I say in a low voice.
He takes a seat on the bench by the door, pulling me down beside him. “Hi. You look good.”
I scoot closer until our legs are touching, “You look good too. I missed you.”
He sighs. “I missed you too, Danny. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come tonight or not.”
I nod. “I’m glad you did.”
He squeezes my hand. “Me too.”
My name is called, and we don’t hear it at first because we are both too busy being caught in each other’s gaze. I bite my lower lip, and he runs his thumb over it, and the lady clears her throat before calling my name again, making me pull my face from his touch. He wraps his arm around my lower waist until we reach our seats. We are silent for the first part of dinner. I keep taking sips of my water just to keep my mouth busy from saying the wrong thing. Cole is the first to break the silence. “So, how have you been?”
I set my glass down and it clinks loudly against the table. “I’m good, you?”
He laughs. “Man, this is awkward, isn’t it?”
I laugh back. “Yeah, it is. It’s like the awkward first date everyone tries to avoid.”
He grips the menu with his hand. “Maybe we shouldn’t do it then.”
My mouth goes dry, and I want so badly to disappear into my chair. Does he not want to give me a second chance after all? Did he change his mind? My hands go still against the table, and I’m about to push myself back to stand from my chair when Cole quickly grabs my hand as if knowing what I’m about to do. “I meant maybe we should just skip the whole first date thing and pick up where we left off instead.”
I lick my lips after spotting the desire growing in his eyes. If I’m reading him right, it would appear we have the exact same idea, “Should we maybe get the food to go?”
His lips turn into a devious smile. “I’m glad we are on the same page.”
The boxes of food come, and Cole is out of his seat before the food even touches the table, and I can’t help but laugh at his eagerness. I follow him back to my apartment, and we waste no time making our way into my living room. Cole quickly kicks the door shut behind us before his mouth is on mine and he is pressing me into the wall. He stops and smiles at me. “I suddenly have déjà vu.”
I laugh before taking his mouth with mine again. Things start off shaky at first, but once the tension leaves between us, we are falling right back into each other like we did before.
