Compass (Second Chances 1)

It comes out at a much higher pitch than I intended.

“Callie. She’s Zeke’s sister. She comes in a few times a week to help out.” He rests both of his forearms on the bar and leans closer to me.

I tap a finger to my forehead. “I’ll make a note of that right here.”

A smile floats over his mouth. “Are you drunk?”

A giggle bubbles out of me, which prompts a laugh from him.

His gaze narrows. “Did you eat anything tonight?”

I wiggle two fingers in the air. “I had two chocolate chip cookies before I came here. I keep the package in my desk drawer.”

My hand jumps to cover my mouth. What the actual fuck is wrong with me? Why would I confess that?

His full lips curve up into a sly grin. “You used to hide the package in the bottom drawer of your nightstand.”

“You knew about that?”

“The crumbs in the bed and the chocolate at the corner of your mouth were dead giveaways.” He reaches up to swipe the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “I loved that you thought you could keep a secret from me. You never could, Katie.”

I could. I did.

“Do you still like your pizza with extra pepperoni?” He glances at the door of the bar as a group of people crowd in. “The place across the street makes a good slice. I’ll run and get you a couple.”

I shake my head. “I have leftover pizza at home. I’ll go have that.”

A sudden wave of dizziness hits me as I slide off the barstool. I reach forward to steady myself, but it’s his hand I catch, not the edge of the bar.

“Sit,” he says, squeezing my hand. “I’ll get Callie to tend bar. I’m taking you home.”

I drop his hand and lower myself back onto the stool.

There’s no harm in him taking me home if I don’t invite him up to my apartment.

I tell myself that as he flashes me a killer smile. I look away, vowing that I’ll never kiss him again even though I know it’s a lie.

Chapter 29

Gage

I wouldn’t have pegged Katie for an Upper West Side resident.

Back in California we lived in a neighborhood teeming with activity. The street she lives on now is quiet with large trees and buildings with doormen.

As soon as we left Tin Anchor, she started in about how she was fine on her own. She had too much to drink and too little to eat tonight.

I couldn’t leave her be, not just because it would have been an asshole move, but I wanted to see where she lived.

I’ve been imagining her in a walk-up in Tribeca, not here.

“I’m just down the block.” She waves her right hand in the air in front of her. “I can make it from here on my own.”

I have every confidence in that. I’m also damn sure that she wants to kiss me again.

Her eyes were glued to my mouth on the subway. I was on the phone with Myles talking about his upcoming bachelor party.

I ignored my ringing phone twice before Katie insisted that I answer it.