I stayed where I was and waited for her to say something and when she didn’t I pulled back just enough so I could see her expression. She looked pissed. I smiled. She didn’t.
Then I remembered who she was. My best friend and her best friend were getting married in two days and I didn’t want Maggie to feel awkward around me. Time to cut the crap. I dropped the smile and moved back on my side of the bar, then opened my mouth to apologize.
Before I could, Maggie averted her eyes from me and abruptly stood up. “I’m going to the ladies room. You should go check on your little friend’s drink. I think she’s ready for another.”
Shit. I’m an ass.
After a few minutes Maggie came back and sat down. She wouldn’t look at me. I stayed busy and left her alone. It was getting late and I was getting ready to close the bar. While I restocked glasses and loaded the small dishwasher under the bar with the dirty ones, I thought about how I needed to find a way to make things right with her.
She’s gonna leave before you apologize, dumbass, you better think about what you need to say and quick.
To my surprise though, she stayed until it was time to lock up. I said goodnight as the last few stragglers walked past the bar as they made their way to the door to leave. Once everyone else had left I grabbed my keys.
“Time to shut her down, Maggie. You don’t want to give Coop and Lily too much alone time, she might realize what a bore he is and call off the wedding.” I was making an attempt to lighten the mood. She didn’t laugh, so I sighed deeply and resigned myself to the fact she hated me.
“Come on. I’ll walk you to your car. It’s late.”
She stood up, grabbed her purse and breezed by me as I held the door for her. I fumbled for the right key to lock up the bar, thinking about how I really needed to apologize. The lock engaged, and I turned toward her. “Maggie, I’m sor –"
She kissed me. Kissed me! Peaches. She tasted and smelled like peaches. Her lips were on mine and I didn’t move. At first. But when she licked my bottom lip, I spun us around, backed her up against the wall, and kissed her back. I brought my hands up to her face and held her there, afraid she would run away once she realized what she was doing. I didn’t want to let her go. This kiss was – god, what was it? I hadn’t felt like this kissing anyone in a long time. I felt it everywhere, and I wanted her to feel it too. I kept my mouth pressed against hers and deepened the kiss when she parted her lips for me. My tongue brushed against hers, and she brought her hands up and wrapped them around my neck. We kissed slowly like that for what seemed like hours. We explored each other’s mouths and I never once even thought about touching her anywhere else. I wanted to savor the taste of her kisses. I didn’t need it to go any further. I was happy just kissing her. We kissed for another full minute before I forced myself to pull away. I kept my hands where they were – on her face. I looked into her green eyes, confused and halfway expecting her to push me away and run.
“Damn. Peaches…I wasn’t expecting that.”
She blushed. Even though it was dark, I could see it. She was embarrassed she had kissed me, so I needed to say something before she did.
“Thank you,” I said.
She looked surprised. “You’re thanking me? For attacking you?”
“No, I’m thanking you for the kiss, sweetheart.”
She shook her head. “I never should have done that. I don’t know why I –"
“That was without a doubt the best kiss ever,” I said, interrupting her.
Looking rattled she said, “I should be going. Lily is probably wondering where I am.” She pushed against my chest to create distance between us and I reluctantly removed my hands from her face and shoved them in my front pockets.
“Yeah,” I replied. “You’re probably right. You don’t want to make her worry.”
It was suddenly awkward as we both stood in place, neither one of us moving. She looked everywhere except at me. I was looking directly at her, trying to figure out if she was regretting what just happened. I couldn’t tell.
She rummaged in her purse for her keys, glancing up only briefly and then walked past me to leave. I stood there frozen while she got in Lily’s car. She never looked back, and I didn’t know if I should try to say something or just let her go. I stood in the same spot for another minute, inside my own head, contemplating, before I realized she was driving away.
Damn it.
I ran my hands through my hair and blew out a tired breath. I shook my head, cursing myself. I can’t believe I let her go like that. I didn’t even say bye. I just stood there like a jackass.
Well shit.
It was probably for the best. It wasn’t like she lived right around the corner. She lived in freaking Colorado. Why was I getting twisted over this anyway? It was only a kiss. And obviously one she wished she could take back.
Here & Now Page 32
