22. Tyson
TWENTY-TWO
TYSON
I’ve never felt the desire to hold someone’s hand.
As far back as my limited experience in relationships goes, I just never felt the urge to do something as mundane as hold hands.
Did I do it anyway because that’s what I was supposed to do?
Sure. But it’s taken thirty-seven years for me to actually desire to take a woman’s hand in mine.
Josie sits next to me in the passenger seat of my rental.
She’s got one ankle folded over the other as she stares at the ornate wrought-iron entry gates in front of us, the polished, black metal gleaming underneath the morning sun.
I coax the SUV past the security guard as the gates open for us, and we drive down the curved private road that leads to the country club.
“Pembroke really is so beautiful,” Josie marvels.
She stares at the perfectly trimmed bushes that line each side of the road.
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel as I continue to fight the urge to take her hand.
It’s really just an excuse to touch her in any way possible.
There’s a pull like I’ve never felt before, making me want even the most simple of things, things I’ve never wanted until now.
Like casually interlacing our fingers or taking her out for a breakfast date.
“I see why so many people love it here.”
“When my sister started coming here so often, I didn’t understand the appeal.
I barely tolerate the parties in Manhattan.
I hate making small talk, and I hate coming off pretentious.
Spending my summer at Pembroke felt like the last thing I’d ever want to do, but the more I visited here, the more I understood why so many people come here.
Sure, it’s still a game of who knows who and who makes the most money, but people are far more real here than they are in Manhattan.
Guards are down, even for just a little.
And everyone here really is just trying to relax and forget about the worries of the real world. ”
Josie nods as I pull into a parking spot. Now that we’re in the busy season, the parking lot is far more full than it was a few weeks ago when I popped in for a visit. It’s a beautiful day today, and it seems like everyone’s had the same idea to spend their day at Pembroke.
“I loved coming here when I was younger, but then I kind of forgot about it. As I got older, I did my best to avoid the people I grew up with. I understand how fortunate I was to grow up with the last name Russell, but I didn’t want to let the wealth and the power consume me the way it does so many others.
Because of that, I avoided Pembroke too, but now that I’m back, I can’t see myself forgetting about this place again,” Josie explains, her voice soft and composed as her gaze focuses on me.
“I love to hear that,” I answer honestly.
She’s been very forthcoming that her time in the Hamptons is only supposed to be a six-week thing.
We’re just starting to get to know each other, so I haven’t pressed to know more about what happens after she turns her book in, but I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t say how much I hope to continue to get to see her even when she’s back in Manhattan.
A thoughtful smile curves her perfect lips. “Are you going to feed me now?”
I can’t help but laugh at her change of subject. “Yes, of course. Let’s go.”
I hurriedly open my door and round the front of the SUV, making it to her side just in time to snag the handle and open it for her.
Josie smiles as I offer her my hand. “I can get my own door, you know.”
I nod as she places her hand in mine. “I can too.” My lips turn up in the whisper of a smile at finally feeling her skin against mine. Now that I am doing what I’ve been imagining the whole ride, I don’t want to let go once I help her out of the vehicle.
Josie slips one tan leg out and then the other. She grabs her purse with her free hand before looking up at me with her big, beautiful hazel eyes. “I’m excited to try the breakfast. I’m sure it’s incredible.”
My gaze flicks to her lips for a moment.
After finishing her coffee in the car—at a rate quicker than I was expecting—she reapplied the pink lip gloss she’d been wearing earlier.
Her lips look far too juicy to ignore, and the thought creeps into my mind, wondering if her lips would taste more like the coffee she sucked down or more like the lip gloss.
I could easily pull her body into mine and find out…
I shake my head. She needs to be fed. It drove me crazy to find out she wasn’t getting proper nutrition while on a deadline, and here I am thinking about making her go hungry just so I can kiss her.
Even though it pains me, I let go of her hand as we walk up to Pembroke’s front entrance.
I’d gladly walk in with her hand in mine, but I doubt that’s something she’d want.
I was a little shocked she was okay with coming to Pembroke alone with me in the first place.
People will talk the moment they see us together.
It’s just what happens when the social circles are as small as they are in our world.
I would’ve understood if she preferred to lie low and eat at home, but the fact that she agreed to come here with me was a win enough.
I don’t need to walk in holding her hand—yet.
I can’t help but picture maybe one day strolling through the front entrance hand in hand, but I recognize today isn’t the day for that.
“Good morning, Mr. Bishop and Ms. Russell,” one of the front desk workers greets. She gives us a warm smile as she holds the door open.
“Morning,” I respond, tilting my chin up to her as my hand finds the small of Josie’s back.
“Where are you headed this morning?” the woman at the front desk asks.
“Pembroke Grill,” I answer, using my free hand to point in the direction of the restaurant.
“Perfect. They’re currently serving brunch for another two hours. You can head in that direction, and the hostess will seat you.”
“Thank you,” Josie says as I lead her toward the restaurant.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon wafts our way, making my mouth water.
I woke up fairly early and had a small breakfast, but that was hours ago.
I’m looking forward to eating again—and spending more time with Josie.
I’m hoping that while we’re eating, she’ll share more about how she’s feeling about the book after finding some inspiration last night.
We stop at the hostess stand, and the country club employee greets us with a smile. “Good morning! We’re so excited to have you here at Pembroke Grill. Would you rather be seated inside or outside today?”
I glance over at Josie, not knowing which she’d prefer. A quick scan of both options shows that they’re equally busy.
“Would you mind eating outside?” Josie asks, giving me a soft smile. “It’s so nice out, and I’m probably going to be cooped up inside later, working. Getting some fresh air this morning would be nice.”
“We’d love a table outside, please,” I tell the employee. I try to get outside as much as I can, so I prefer the patio anyway, but this morning is all about Josie and what she wants, so I would’ve been fine with either.
We’re both quiet as the hostess leads us outside.
The weather really is perfect today. She sits us at a corner table that has a perfect view of the rolling green grass of the course and the sparkling blue of the ocean in the distance.
There’s a slightly cool breeze coming in from the ocean as we take our seats, but the temperature feels perfect, thanks to the sun shining down on us.
“Would you like the umbrella up?” the hostess asks as she sets one menu down and then the next.
My eyes find Josie’s. She smiles and turns her attention to the hostess. “No, thank you. Being in the sun is perfect.”
The employee nods her head. “Your server will be with you soon. Enjoy your meal.”
She walks away as Josie’s eyes find mine once again. “This place really might be perfect,” she marvels, a small laugh escaping her.
The sunlight catches in the soft waves of her hair, turning a few strands of her dirty-blonde hair almost golden. Her eyelids flutter shut as she soaks in the sunbeams, her lips curving into a radiant smile.
I use the opportunity to take her in without her knowing.
My gaze drifts slowly over her face. It sweeps over the high points of her cheekbones, the faint dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose, the gloss on her lips that twinkles in the light from the sun.
My chest tightens.
She’s breathtaking. Especially like this.
Relaxed.
Content.
Not pulled down by the stress of having to finish a book in record time.
For a moment, I swear the entire patio fades away until it’s just her.
I couldn’t tell you who else sits outside. My sister could be at the table next to me, and I wouldn’t know. I’m too focused on soaking in every moment of watching Josie finally fully relax for the first time since I met her, and it’s the most beautiful sight in the world.
“Good morning,” a voice says, interrupting my thoughts and reminding me that there are others around us. “Can I get you both started with some water?”
Josie opens her eyes and tips her chin down to look at the server. He stares at Josie with a wide grin, sending a pang of jealousy through me, even though I know it’s completely unwarranted.
“I’d love a sparkling water,” she answers, giving him a warm smile that doesn’t help the irrational jealousy I feel.
“Two of those,” I say, clipped, grabbing the menu that was placed in front of me earlier and focusing on it to distract myself from the way the server admires Josie.
Not that I blame him. I was just admiring her myself before he walked over.
“Can I also have an orange juice?” Josie asks.
“My pleasure,” the server responds.
A strangled sound leaves my throat, but I continue to look at the menu like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
“I’ll be back with your drinks and give you time to look over the menu.”
I don’t respond as I look over the brunch options. My stomach growls as I try to decide what I even want. I’m so hungry that anything sounds good right now.
“Is the menu really that interesting?” Josie asks with a teasing tone to her voice.
I rip my gaze from it, happy to find that the server is nowhere in sight anymore, and I focus on Josie. “There’s just a lot to choose from,” I offer.
Josie gives me a knowing smile as she picks up her own menu. “Mm-hmm. What sounds good, then?”
“You” pops into my mind, but I bite my tongue, knowing that isn’t the appropriate thing to say right now.
My mind blanks over what I even read on the menu.
I was too focused on the way the server was looking at Josie that I didn’t even register my options.
The chef changes it daily, so anything could be on there.
To buy myself time, I let my lips spread into a casual smile.
“You go first. Tell me what sounds good.”