Page 77
Story: When We Kiss
“That doesn’t mean you can’t come home now. Nan is still available. She understands you broke things off because you were upset about Cherry.”
“Did you tell her that?” Now my hackles really are up.
“Only because it’s true. If you came back now, everything could be like it was before you left.”
It’s taking all my effort not to go off on her. I’m holding back because I know she’ll just shut down, and I want her to hear me for once. “Mom, I don’t want that life. It’s why I left.”
We’re back at my place, and I put her car in park. Fuck trying to reason with a crazy person. I hustle around to help her out. She moves at her own pace, and I exhale a little growl.
“I’m sorry I don’t move as fast as I used to,” she grumbles.
I don’t answer. I walk her to the top of the stairs then dash to my room to change into a dark gray tee while she gets herself settled on the couch. I offered her my bed, but she refused—something about not wanting to intrude. Irony.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” I grab the keys to my truck and lean down to kiss the top of her head. “Help yourself to anything.”
“Where are you going?” Her voice rises.
“I have to talk to Tabby.”
“Charles! Do not go over there!”
She’s still yelling, but I’m out the door and in my truck, again doing my best not to break all the rules of the road as I cover the distance between us.
When I finally get to Tabby’s place, the lights are off, but I see the glow of her computer screen in the living room. I throw the truck in park and jump out, jogging up to her door.
“Tabby?” I knock… a little too hard. “Tabby, it’s me. Open up.”
She says something on the other side, and the door opens fast, causing me to lean forward slightly. She’s standing in front of me in that same silk romper, but the jewelry is gone. Her feet are bare, and her long hair is gathered into a messy bun on her head with a pencil stuck through it. I know what that means.
“Sorry to bother you while you’re working.” I try giving her my signature grin.
Slender arms cross over her waist, and she’s not smiling. “What are you doing here? Don’t you have a house guest?”
“Ahh, yeah. About that.” I rub my chin. “My mom can be a bit much.”
“Ya think?”
“She wanted to know why I like it here.” I wanted to show her my top reason. “I didn’t think it through.”
I wanted to see her so much tonight, I’d have done anything.
Dropping my arm off the doorjamb, I hesitate. I want to pull her to my chest and kiss her. I want to bury my face in her neck and inhale the sweet scent of her perfume. Somehow, I get the feeling that might not go over so well.
I clear my throat. “Anyway, I was curious about the job you mentioned. What’s that about?”
Her lips press together, and she frowns. “That’s none of your business.”
“It’s not? I thought we were going to those places together.” I motion between the two of us.
“That was all just pillow talk.”
“It was more than that.”
“Who’s Nan?” Her eyes flash.
Straightening, I clear my throat. “Nan is… Nancy Miller.”
“Why is she waiting for you?”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77 (Reading here)
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110