“You mean the one you stole from us?”
“Den…” I rub a hand over the back of my neck, trying to relax the knots the tension of the past few hours helped form. “I’m trying here.”
“I know. That wasn’t fair. I mean, it totally was, but I shouldn’t have said it.” She kicks at invisible rocks on the ground to avoid my eyes. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“Don’t apologize to me, not after everything.”
She lifts her head. “Truce?”
“Only if you agree to a date with me one night this week.”
She beams at me. “I’d like that.”
“What?” I raise a brow. “No pretending to hate me? No declaring you don’t want to be seen in public with me?”
“Nah. We called truce. Besides, if we’re going to the movies, it’ll be dark. The movies don’t count as public.” She winks then grabs her bag from my hand. “See ya later, Shep.”
“Denver?”
She quickens her pace but yells over her shoulder, “Yes?”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Can’t imagine a thing.”
“Are you seriously stealing my dog right now?”
Steve barks in her arms. She moves even faster, her suitcase bouncing off the uneven pavement behind her.
She sends me a worried glance. “Nope!”
“You trying to get me to come inside?”
“Not a chance.”
“Denver?”
“Maybe!”
I take off at a sprint, and catching her is easy. I curl my arm around her waist and pull her to me. She gasps out a laugh.
“Fine, fine. You caught me.”
“You’re the world’s slowest runner.”
“I’m holding a damn puppy and pulling my suitcase because someone didn’t carry it up to my apartment for me.”
“All you had to do was ask,” I whisper into her ear.
She drops her suitcase at our feet. “Fine. Shep, will you please carry my suitcase for me?”
“And?” I prompt.
She huffs in faux annoyance. “And please come inside?”
I grin at her. “I thought you’d never ask.”
We spend the rest of the day locked inside her apartment.
28
Present day
Denver: HELP! She’s kidnapped me and won’t let me go.
Shepard: If I have to suffer through tux shopping with AJ then you have to suffer through dress shopping with Allie. Besides, aren’t girls supposed to love this kind of shit?
Denver: Stereotype much?
Denver: Actually, I love dress shopping. Just not with Allie. This is pure torture.
Denver: She is SO picky.
Shepard: I think she’s allowed to be picky about her wedding dress.
Denver: But she looks amazing in everything. She could wear a damn trash bag and still look amazing.
Denver: I know, I know. I’m just being bitchy.
Shepard: Everything okay?
Denver: Yes. I’m just tired.
Shepard: And whose fault is that?
Denver: Yours. Definitely yours.
Shepard: I beg to differ.
Shepard: “Oh, Shep! Keep doing that thing with your tongue!”
Shepard: “Yes, yes, YES! Right there, Shep!”
Shepard: “MORE, SHEP!”
Denver: OH MY GOD. ARE YOU FINISHED?!
Denver: And don’t you dare say ALMOST!
Shepard: Then this conversation is over.
Denver: THANK GOD.
Denver: Also…can you maybe do that thing with your tongue again tonight?
Shepard: You hussy.
Shepard: Tomorrow. After our movie date?
Denver: Or before. I mean, whatever floats your boat.
Shepard: Fuck. I wish I could kiss your dirty, sexy mouth right now.
Shepard: And your neck.
Shepard: Those tits too.
Shepard: Fuck it. I’ll kiss all of you. Even your feet.
Denver: See, I knew you were a freak.
Denver: Quit bothering me. I’m trying to dress shop!
Shepard: One more thing…
Denver: No. Go away.
Denver: Fine. What?
Shepard: Never mind. You ruined the moment.
Denver: Tell me.
Shepard: Nah.
Denver: Shep!
Denver: SHEPARD!
Denver: Ugh. I am going to murder you. It’s a good thing I look good in orange.
Shepard: Do you want to do dinner before the movie or after?
Denver: I thought I was dinner.
Shepard: You’re right. After sounds good.
Denver: I was kidding. Let’s go before. I had to skip lunch today so I’m certain I’ll be ravenous.
Denver: Okay, okay. You got me. I wasn’t really kidding, but I WILL need sustenance at some point.
Shepard: I am so lost right now.
Shepard: Dinner before or after?
Denver: YES. God, Shep. Just feed or eat me. WHY IS THIS SO HARD?
Shepard: I’m really starting to rethink this whole “we should try again” shit.
Denver: But are you really?
Shepard: Nah. I kind of like the chaos.
Denver: Good answer.
Shepard: Why’d you have to skip lunch?
Denver: I’m behind on my deadline on some articles about some sort of famous baseball star.
Shepard: Make sure you mention his dick length in there. It’s super important for all his adoring fans to know this information.
Denver: *solid four inches* NOTED.
Denver: Any other requests?
Shepard: Nah. I’m actually really excited to read it. And also a little nervous.
Denver: Why nervous?
Shepard: I know I’m not the world’s nicest person. I know I’ve been a sleaze ball. I know I hurt you. It’s hard to wrap my head around what you could possibly write about me.
Denver: You’re also not the sleaze ball you once were. Sure, you tried to pick a girl up in a grocery store a few weeks ago, but people change. You’re in a…well, I wouldn’t say relationship, but a committed “let’s see where this shit takes us” thing. (Which, by the way, is an exclusive thing. Keep those four inches to yourself and to me, thanks.) As for us…clean slate, remember?
Shepard: A few things coming your way…
Shepard: I am very impressed that we just had The Talk without actually having it. (And, by the way, we’re on the same page. Keep those beef curtains closed to anyone but me.)
Denver: OH MY GOD. NO. WHAT THE FUCK, SHEPARD?
Denver: DO NOT EVER CALL THEM BEEF CURTAINS AGAIN!
Shepard: Ham wallet?
Denver: WHY IS IT ALL MEAT?
Shepard: Taco shack?
Denver: Better…slightly.
Denver: God. I need to go scrub my eyes out.
Shepard: I’m not sorry.
Denver: Oh, you should be.
Denver: But in all seriousness, you don’t need to be worried about the article. I like the Shep I’m getting to know now.
Shepard: So you like me?
Denver: I tolerate you.
Shepard: You liiiiiiiiiiiiike me.
Denver: YOU ARE OKAY.
Shepard: Do you…like-like me?
Denver: See above.
Shepard: But also yes, right?
Denver: *grumbles* yes
Shepard: Ha. Knew it.
29
Denver
“Anemone.”
I reach for the flowers Shep’s holding out for me and bring them to my nose.
“They don’t have a scent,” he tells me.
“I noticed. That’s…odd. Thank you for my non-smelling flowers.” I pull the front door open wider. “Come on in. I’m almost ready.”
He doesn’t budge.
“Don’t you want to know?”
“Know what?”
“What they mean?”
“Ah,”
I say. “Yes. Tell me.”
A wolfish grin stretches across his face as he leans down close to me, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine. I can feel his breath tickling my senses and I want to press my mouth to his so badly, which is kind of sad because it’s only been two days since I last saw him.
“Tell me,” I say again.
“The wait is all part of the fun.”
I know exactly what he’s trying to do: get me all hot and bothered and then leave me hanging and waiting all through our date.
Not tonight.
“It’s anticipation, isn’t it?”
His lips quirk up in the corners. “Maybe.”
I lift onto my toes, bringing myself closer to him but still not letting our lips touch. His pupils widen, and I hear the hitch in his breath.
Shep wants this kiss just as badly as I do, but I’m determined to best him at his own game, so no kiss for him.
I brush my mouth against his, so soft and quick I know he’ll be certain he’s imagined it.
“Shep?”
He grunts in response.
“Two can play that game.” I step back, leaving him standing in the doorway.
“Goddammit,” he mutters before he finally steps inside and closes my door, shaking his head at my antics.
I smile, making my way into the kitchen to get my new bouquet of flowers in some water.
“Is that what you’re wearing for our date?”
Glancing down at my outfit, I begin to worry. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing, surprisingly. You look normal. And sexy.”
“Ass.” I flip him the bird and dump the old flowers from him into the trash. “It’s jeans and a t-shirt—you can’t mess those up.”
“To be fair, I think that’s called a blouse, not a t-shirt.”
“Technically, it’s a called a mind-your-own-fucking-business.”
“They must have a difficult time marketing those.” He smirks.
“Or a swimsuit coverup. Same thing.”
“You’re wearing swimwear on our date? In October?”
I lift a shoulder and fill the vase I’m holding with water. “What? It’s my get lucky shirt.”
“You’re telling me you wear this for others?”
“I have, yes.”
“Does it work?”
“Like a charm.”
“And is that what you’re trying to do tonight? Get lucky?”
“Obviously.” I fluff the flowers, arranging them so they look cute and full. “I thought you knew I only keep you around for orgasms.”
“Damn. Here I thought it was my charm and good looks.”
“I mean, you’re cute and all, but that charm? That’s not getting you very far.”
“Words hurt, you know.”
“Not when they’re true.” I wink at him then make my way down the hall to my bedroom to grab my things.
“Real shit ain’t funny!” he calls, but I hear the laughter in his voice anyway.
I work on putting the finishing touches on my hair, coating it with another layer of hairspray and checking to make sure my makeup is on point.
It’s weird how having Shep in my apartment feels so normal now, especially when a month ago he wasn’t even on my radar.
Well, that’s a lie. He’s always been on my radar. I had just learned to ignore the blipping coming from him.
I can’t anymore, though. It’s not possible, not after everything these last few weeks.
On Sunday when he chased me inside, I felt like the happiest girl in the world, like I used to feel when I’d sneak my cell phone into my closet at night and text with him. My heart would beat in my chest with anticipation as I waited for him to text me back, relishing the thrill that would run through my veins when I’d hear someone on the stairs.
The forbidden aspect of texting with Shep might have been what started our entire relationship, but it was him who kept it going. He captivated me with his words and wit, and I knew almost right away I’d found someone special.
I had no idea he’d break my heart, but I knew no matter what, it would beat for him.
Young love isn’t always right, but when it is, it’s the rightest kind of right there is…and if my heart is telling me one thing, it’s that Shep and me? We’re right, and I’m ready to fight for it.
“We should just stay in tonight!” he yells from the living room. “That way I can ravish you on the couch.”
“Not a chance!” I snatch my bag off my bed and make my way back down the hall. I stand in front of the TV, holding it up. “I already have my movie purse packed.”
His brows shoot up. “What do you have in there?”
“Nothing yet. We’re hitting the dollar store for some candy. Scoot. We have a show to catch.”
“You do know I signed a massive contract with the MLB, right? Meaning I do have some money in my bank account?”
“Sure, but where’s the thrill in buying candy?”
“I thought the movie was supposed to be the thrill, not actually getting into the theater.”
“Move your ass, Shep.” I put my hand out for him to grab. “You’re wasting valuable candy-choosing time.”
“It’s weird,” he says, putting his hand in mine and letting me do all the work to pull him up. “I’ve known you for a long time now, yet I’m still learning things about you.”
“I like turtles.”
“What?”
“I like turtles—sea turtles. They’re the cutest little creatures ever. I still cut the plastic on my six-packs of soda because I can’t stand the thought of a little baby sea turtle getting stuck in one.”
He stares at me, unblinking.
“What?”
“I’m going to kiss you now.”
“What? Why? Because I—”
His mouth covers mine and I don’t hesitate to move my lips against his. He pushes his tongue against mine and we’re pulling at one another like we didn’t just do this two days ago.
I can’t get enough of him. He can’t get enough of me.
It’s scary and thrilling all at once.
The kiss is hard and hot and over way before I want it to be.
“God.” His forehead drops to mine. “I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of kissing you.”
“I don’t think I want you to.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Why’d you kiss me?”
“Because you’re cute, Den. And because I really fucking wanted to.”
The smile stretches across my lips. “Good enough for me.”
“Are you eating the popcorn one by one?”
“How are you supposed to eat it?”
He shoves his fingers into the bucket then crams a handful into his mouth. “Vike vis.”
“So classy, Shep.”
He swallows and nods toward my purse. “Funny coming from you. I cannot believe they didn’t check your bag. It’s obvious you’re carrying half the candy aisle in there.”
“And…” I dig through my purse, rooting around until I find what I’m looking for. “Half the chip aisle.”
“Nobody brings chips to the movies.”
“I was hungry! You refused to feed me before the movie.”
He yanks the bag from my hands and pulls out a box, shaking it my way. “Chicken nuggets, Denver—you made me stop and get you chicken nuggets!”
“What?” I snatch said nuggets from his hand. “I was hungry! I told you to feed me before the movie.”
“I couldn’t get reservations until after.”
“It’s obvious I would have settled for the dollar menu, Shep.”
“I swear, for the next fifty years, I’m only ever taking you to places with dollar menus.”
I freeze, my chicken nugget hovering just inches from my mouth. Is he saying…
“Just shove it in your mouth, Den. I meant what I said.”
I laugh, devouring my last-minute dinner and chewing not only on it, but also on his words.
The next fifty ye
ars with Shep? While it sounds exhausting, it’s not entirely unappealing.
Texting (The Complete Series Page 83
