“I can’t even tell you how long it’s been since I’ve had a good steak,” I respond.
We continue talking about all the trouble we used to get into. Katie laughs so hard she nearly chokes, which causes her to laugh even harder. By the time I bring out the dessert, she’s wiping tears off her cheeks.
“You gonna make it?”
“I-I think so.” She swallows down the rest of her wine, then clears her throat.
I can’t stop admiring her beauty and how good time has been to her. The woman sitting in front of me is the same girl I fell in love with, and there’s no doubt she’s the only one I want.
“Before we have the Tiramisu, I wanna give you your birthday gift.”
“Noah…you didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I technically didn’t.” I flash her a wink, then grab the box from the coffee table. “I made it.”
I hand it to her and hold my breath as she opens it.
She releases a small gasp, then looks up at me. “Is this the scrapbook I made you for graduation?”
“Yep, except I added some pages of my own.”
She grins as she opens the cover and the first page makes her burst out laughing. “We look like babies.”
“We were.”
She gazes over her senior prom picture. Gabe was supposed to take her, but he got drunk on a fishing trip and slept off the buzz in his truck, so I took her. When Gemma texted and told me, I refused to let Katie go alone, so I went to dinner with them. It was one of the best nights of my life. I was so damn close to confessing my feelings to her that night, but then Gabe showed up, and I lost the courage.
“We had so much fun,” she says, meeting my eyes.
“I’m glad you did.”
She furrows her brows. “You didn’t?”
I shrug. “It was a long time ago.”
“I had the time of my life dancing with you,” she says defensively. “I thought you—”
“I did too,” I interrupt. “In fact, I almost got lost in the moment and kissed you. Was gonna spill the truth about how I felt until Gabe arrived and ruined it.”
She stares at me, speechless, and I feel bad that I’ve brought him up when this is supposed to be our time together. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said—”
Katie stands, then pulls me to my feet in front of her. “Tell me now.”
I swallow hard, gazing into her gorgeous green eyes.
“Tell me what you wanted to say that night,” she demands. “I want to know. I want to hear you say it.”
Gripping her waist with one hand, I brush a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know this is the worst timing, and I apologize for that, but I can’t hold it in anymore.” I drag my fingers across her jawline, then pluck her bottom lip with my thumb. “I’m in love with you, Katie Walker, and if you give me a chance, I’ll spend every day proving how much you mean to me. If I were ever lucky enough to call you mine, I’d cherish you the way you deserve.”
I clear my throat as she intently stares at me, frozen in place.
“Then I would’ve cupped your face like this…and so very slowly moved in…then brushed my lips against yours until—”
Our mouths collide as she places her arms around my waist, and I slide my tongue between her soft lips. Katie releases a whimper and arches her back as she melts into me. My fingers wrap around her neck, then slowly tangle in her hair.
The taste of her is something I’ll never get enough of, and I hope I never know what it’s like not to kiss her again.
Sliding my hands down to her ass, I quickly lift her, and she wraps her bare legs around my waist. There’s no denying she feels how hard I am, and when she presses into me, I release a deep throaty groan.
“Fuck, baby girl.” I walk to the loveseat and sit with her straddling me.
“Baby girl?” she whispers as she grinds against my cock. “I like that.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm.” She wraps her arms around my neck and leans in. “I like it a lot, actually.”
I smirk and bring a hand to her cheek. “Now tell me what your response would’ve been.”
Katie leans back slightly. “Truthfully, I probably would’ve slapped you for deciding to finally tell me when I had a boyfriend…”
The sass in her tone has me rolling my eyes.
“But after the initial shock, I would’ve said, ‘Noah, it’s about damn time, but you’re too late.’”
My heart drops into my stomach as she smiles with amusement.
“Then I would’ve admitted that I’ve been in love with you for years, and it was the kind of love you don’t just ignore or walk away from.” She cups my face and stares into my eyes. “As hard as it is to admit, I would’ve left Gabe had I known. Even then, I knew I deserved better, but after I suffered a miscarriage, I felt tied to him.”