16. Vance
CHAPTER 16
Vance
Dinner is not as futile as I expect, but I have plans for us tonight. Jace might be set against us, but we still have focus on us.
“What do you say we go do something fun? After that, I know I could use it.” I take her hand and kiss her knuckles before them placing in my lap and pulling out of her parent’s driveway.
“That sounds amazing. I’m still on edge from my brother’s scowl being burned into my brain.”
This woman waited a year for me to come back to her. She deserves the world, and I am going to give it to her. We have so much lost time to make up for and tonight, it’s all about making her smile and easing the tension that has her wound so fucking tight.
Sure, an option is to take her home and have my way with her again, but honestly, I missed her smile and laugh. So, tonight isn’t about sex, it’s about intimacy which can be acquired in many different ways. For a relationship to be successful, or so my mother told me, you need to find ways to have intimacy without taking your clothes off. Honestly, I wish she was still here to teach me things. I have so many questions about life and marriage, and I’d give anything to be able to talk to her one more time.
I pull into the parking lot of Sing it Loud Karaoke Bar and her face instantly brightens.
“I’m loving where your head is at right now. How did you know this was the first thing that came to my mind?”
I put the car in park and turn toward her. “Because even though this relationship is new to us, I know just about everything there is to know about you.”
She smiles and I walk around to open her door and take her hand. “Tonight is about fun. No talking about your brother. Understood?”
She giggles. “Yes, sir.”
The heavy door swings shut behind us, sealing us into a world of pulsing beats and raucous laughter. I lean close to her ear and let my hand settle on the small on her back. “Quite a crowd tonight.”
We weave through the sea of bodies, the music vibrating in my chest.
“You okay?”
“Yeah,” I manage, offering a smile. “Just... it's been a while since I've been out.”
Her lips quirk up. “We'll ease you back in, then.”
God, that smile. It still makes my knees weak.
We pause near the bar.
“Drink?” I ask.
“Whatever you're having.”
This night is all for her and I’d stay as long as she is having fun. It only seems fitting to be back here now. This is where it all changed. If Jace showed up that night, Blair and I wouldn’t be sitting here together. As much as I love him, I’m glad he didn’t show. Otherwise, I’m not sure I ever would have had the courage to grow the balls to tell her how I feel.
And now – she’s standing next to me, looking so fucking beautiful.