Love On Tap (Love By Design 8)

“What should we do.” She turned her head into my shoulder and I played with her shoulder length curls letting them bounce and twist around my fingers.

“Right now? Relax and enjoy the music. Even if we scream no one would hear us.”

Her voice sounded droll when she said, “So we are literally waiting for the clean-up crew?”

I chuckled.

“Basically.”

“I don’t exactly find any of this funny.”

“Don’t worry. I find it even less humorous given it’s my fault to begin with.”

“Why do you say that, Andy?” Her fingers continued to play with my clothes and I let the feeling of her closeness seep into me. It’s rare that’s she’s so hands on like this and I won’t trade it for the world.

“Because I could have done the responsible thing months ago when I knew the knob was sticky and get it fixed. I didn’t because I got busy with other things and now here we are stuck until someone ventures down this hallway.” I could turn my phone on and call David or Pedro but that would defeat the purpose of spending time with her like this in forced proximity.

“How likely is that to happen?”

I shrugged. I don’t tell her it could minutes, hours, or tomorrow morning when David gets back and sees I haven’t been in my office.

“Pedro is personing the bar. David is out with Kiara, and Remi hasn’t lived upstairs in forever.”

“Hmm.” She hummed and the vibration made my heart flip in a funny somersault.

“We could play twenty questions dancing around topics until then or you could just ask me whatever it is you want to ask me.”

“I’m not used to this forward version of Andy. You used to be so…” She trailed off and it guts me to know what she might say next. Passive? Weak? A boy when she needed a man? It’s all true and while we were young back then I could have been better prepared, I could have fought harder for her in my own way. That was my mistake and I paid for it dearly.

“I know I said things earlier that were hurtful.” I want to apologize but I’m still angry and she hasn’t said anything remotely remorseful about leaving. I’m not really in the state of mind to be completely vulnerable when I know n a matter of days or weeks she’ll end up crushing me again.

“Let’s both agree we were equally hurtful though I think we’re comparing apples to oranges.”

“More like vintage grapes and Myer lemons, but sure.”

“I don’t know if I’m surprised, impressed, or irritated you want to quibble about tartness palates.” She said into the dark and I squeeze her tight against me.

“I said that because it’s what we grew up eating, drinking, and comparing everything too.”

“Did my Nona keep the greenhouse operational?”

“Only for a few years. She asked me to take over and there’s one lemon tree left. There’s an herbalist in town, Callista who makes essential oils. She comes to harvest the lemons and lavender.”

“Isn’t she the girl who suns her asshole?”

I snort.

“I wouldn’t know anything about her asshole and I definitely wouldn’t mention her name in front of Whit or his jailbait girlfriend.”

“That sounds like a story I want to hear.”

“Of course you do.” I rubbed my fingers over her shower and she pokes me gently with her boney elbow.

“Tell me, oh maste

rful storyteller.” Sierra’s voice becomes wistful and I missed this about her.

“I don’t know. That’s kind of what you get for skipping town.” I shrugged teasing.