Chapter 2 #3
I pull out my phone, ready to email my Realtor to inform them that despite my recent arrival, it’s already time for me to move, when the weirdest thing happens.
I don’t know if it’s a trick of the light or if I’m still lightheaded from giving him my entire life story without taking a single breath, but I’m pretty sure the corner of his mouth turns up into something that resembles a smile.
“What’s one of the other things?”
Am I hallucinating?
“What’s one of what things?” I don’t know if it’s because I can only focus on the rich, smooth tenor of his voice and the way his full lips move when he speaks, but I’m not following.
“What’s one of the other things that drove your mom insane?”
It’s the last thing I expect him to say, but for some reason, instead of my veins turning to ice like they’re wont to do when someone mentions my mom, an unfamiliar warmth flows through me like honey.
“I know it’s hard to believe because I seem so put together and perfect, but she wasn’t short on pet peeves when it came to me,” I say, turning my body so I’m facing him head-on.
“Though, I guess if I had to pick just one thing going off the very brief amount of time I’ve spent with you, it might be my tendency to ramble and overshare when I’m nervous or embarrassed. ”
A burst of laughter slips through his full lips, and the whisper of a smile from earlier transforms into a full-blown grin.
I try not to repeat my earlier mistake and stare at how bright his perfect teeth look against his skin, but I can’t help myself.
I can’t pretend to know this man, but something tells me that witnessing the way his eyes crinkle in the corners and a small dimple appears on his left cheek is a gift I should cherish.
“You are talking very fast.” Remnants of his smile linger in his eyes even as it fades from his mouth. “Are you embarrassed?”
I feel like most men would use this as an easy opening to try to pick me up, but to my complete disappointment and dismay, there’s only unassuming curiosity in his words.
“You know, shouting at a stranger in the middle of a restaurant would leave me embarrassed any day, but it doesn’t help that I just moved into town and this is my first night in Celestial.
” I fidget with my hands, wishing more than anything I had a cocktail to hold and alcohol to ease my nerves.
“I’ve been talking a big game and telling anyone who asked that I didn’t have any second thoughts about moving here, but I guess I’m a little nervous that I won’t fit in. It’s scary not knowing anyone.”
I regret the words as soon as I say them. It’s almost as if by saying my fears out loud, I’ve invited them in and given them permission to come true. I don’t know what it is about this man, but I can’t seem to stop myself from saying the first thing on my mind when I’m with him.
“If it makes you feel better, I’ve lived here my entire life and I don’t think you need to worry about fitting in. But trust me”—he leans in and his voice drops to a whisper—“fitting in around here is overrated.”
Goose bumps snake down my spine as the warmth of his breath dances along the shell of my ear.
His proximity knocks me completely off-balance, and I struggle to keep my slow, measured breaths from turning ragged.
I know it’s been a month or twelve since I’ve had sex, but this is absurd.
There’s no reason to be turned on by a literal whisper.
Before I can do something stupid like tell him about the time my mom banned me from the stairs after I fell and put a hole through the wall, or worse, invite him back to my place for the night, Nolan reappears holding a paper bag.
The man, the stranger, leans back and I get an up-close view as the last bits of his smile flee and shutters fall over his eyes.
It’s devastating and I would do anything to put another smile on his face.
“Your usual.” Nolan slides the to-go bag across the bar, completely oblivious to the huge loss I just suffered. “Dan told me to let you know he put the extra ranch in the box on the bottom this time.”
“Appreciate it, Nolan.” The man beside me takes his food, only looking back to me after he unfolds his long body from his stool. “Good luck in Celestial. I hope you like it here.”
Panic hits me like lightning. Heat blazes from my head down to my toes when I realize that after all that, I don’t even know his name. He turns to leave, and like the rest of the time we’ve spent together, I act before I can think better of it.
I jump off the barstool and wrap my fingers around his wrist.
“Luna! I’m Luna,” I shout, repeating myself when his questioning gaze meets mine. “You didn’t tell me your name.”
It sounds more like an accusation than a question, but our earlier interaction must have softened him to my antics, because he doesn’t seem fazed at all.
“Tate.” He turns his palm over and shakes my hand with his strong, calloused one. “Nice meeting you, Luna.”
I’ve never loved my name more.
“Nice to meet you too, Tate.” I return the sentiment and let go of my grip on his hand, knowing that nice doesn’t come close to describing what meeting him felt like. “See you around again someday?”
“Maybe.” Maybe sounds a lot like no the way he says it. “It’s a pretty small town.”
My smile only wavers a little bit. “I think I’ll take that as a yes.”
A quick nod is his only response and then he’s gone.
The bar feels a lot bigger and the air-conditioning is cooler without him here.
I replay the interaction in my head, the details simultaneously as fuzzy as they are clear, but no matter how many times I go over it, I’m unsure if I should feel more hopeful or foolish.
“Don’t take it personally,” Nolan says with a careful, gentle tone that dances the line to pity. “Tate’s like that with everyone.”
Foolish.
I should definitely feel more foolish.
“I guess that means I’m fitting in just fine.” I try to hide my disappointment behind forced enthusiasm. “Now that it’s just us, I’m going to need you to tell me what to order. Everything looks amazing and I can’t make up my mind.”
“That I can help you with.” He points to the menu and I return his smile.
I nod along as he lists his favorite items on the menu and agree to his suggestions without hearing a single word he says, too busy trying to remember a man I might not ever see again to focus on something unimportant like food.
I know I came to Celestial hoping for a cowboy romance, but maybe, just maybe a brooding hero with onyx eyes and a reserved smile is what I really need.