Saving You (Love Wanted in Texas 2)

Luke frowned as he watched me. “Why not, Lib? You love peach cobbler.” I swallowed hard and pushed my plate away. My heart was still racing at the memory of Luke telling me he loved me. “I’m really full. Maybe a piece to go and I’ll eat it later?”

The smile returned to Luke’s face as he nodded and called out for Manny to pack a cobbler to go. I sat in my seat and watched him walk away as I tried to figure out the confusing feelings rushing through my head.

I GLANCED OUT the window and looked at the solid line of rain coming our way. Shit. I hate driving in the rain. One quick peek to Libby and my heart was beating crazy again.

I couldn’t stop thinking about when I held her hand as we walked up to Franklin’s. Really, I couldn’t stop thinking about how Libby allowed me to hold it for as long as she did. I knew I had been acting like a dick toward her. Letting out a sigh, I pushed my hand through my hair. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Libby watching me. There she goes biting on that damn lower lip of hers. I smiled slightly; she must like when I do that. Testing my theory, I ran my hand through my hair again. Libby’s mouth parted slightly, causing my smile to turn into a full-blown grin.

The rain began hitting on the windshield, first coming down slow then coming in a downpour. I slowed and turned the windshield wipers on higher.

“Wow, it’s really raining hard. Maybe you should pull over, Luke,” Libby said as she began chewing on her fingernail. It was a nervous habit she had done since I could remember.

I rolled my eyes and said, “Nah, it’s fine.” Right after I said that, the car in front of us hydroplaned and veered into the other lane, causing everyone to put their brakes on. “I think I’ll pull over into that HEB parking lot.”

Libby folded her arms over her chest and mumbled something under her breath. I didn’t respond because I didn’t want to argue with her. This was the first time in months, things actually felt normal. It felt like my best friend was sitting next to me.

I pulled into the parking lot and put my truck in park as it continued to pour. Libby pulled her phone out and began texting someone. She let out a giggle and then looked out her window.

“What are you thinking about?” I asked.

She turned and looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing. Just something Grace said to me.”

My younger sister, Grace, was going to the University of Texas and I couldn’t wait to see her. She was a pain in my ass sometimes, but I loved her more than life itself.

“Grace said she was surprised that you had planned the stop at Franklin’s.”

Turning, I looked into Libby’s eyes. “Are you surprised?” She laughed and looked away. “Well? Are you, Lib?”

She slowly turned and looked at me. “Honestly? Yes.”

Swallowing hard, I tried to get rid of the lump in my throat. “Why?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It feels like we’ve grown apart. You’re no longer that fun guy I knew growing up.”

I turned more in my seat so I could look at her. “What am I now?”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Are we being completely honest right now?” I nodded my head. She took in a deep breath through her nose and blew it out of her mouth in a quick movement. “A jerk.”

Pulling my head back, I opened my mouth slightly. “A jerk?”

She pursed her lips and nodded her head. “We used to be …” Libby looked away and out the window. “I don’t really know anymore what we used to be.” She slowly shook her head. “Anyway, Grace said you’re not spontaneous anymore.” She looked back at me and stared into my eyes. “I have to agree with her.”

My heart ached as Libby’s words echoed in my mind. Not spontaneous? I’ll show her spontaneous. I looked out the front window at the rain. It was beginning to lighten up. I opened the door to the truck and Libby asked, “Luke? Where in the hell are you going?”

Jumping out, I looked at her and smiled. “I’m being spontaneous.” I shut the door and jogged around to the passenger side of the truck and opened the door. “Get out, Libby.”

Libby’s mouth dropped open as she stared at me. “You’re kicking me out of the truck for being honest? Screw you, Luke Johnson.”

Laughing, I reached in and picked her up. She began yelling for me to put her down. “I’m being spontaneous, Libby.”

I pushed the door shut with my foot and walked away from the truck as the rain quickly began to get both of us soaking wet. I set Libby down and looked at how beautiful she was. She was staring at me like I’d lost my damn mind. “What are we doing standing in the rain?”

Grabbing her, I pulled her to me, pulling her body up against mine. She let out a gasp, but instantly wrapped her arms around me. “I’m dancing with you. In the rain.”

The left side of her mouth slowly began to lift as she fought to hold back her smile and lost. I quickly pushed her out and spun her around and pulled her back to me as she let out a laugh.

We danced around the parking lot like we didn’t have a care in the world. Libby ran over to a puddle and jumped in it, causing water to go everywhere. I loved seeing how carefree she was. I ran up to her and picked her up and began spinning her around as she dropped her head back and laughed. I slowly let Libby slide down my body, holding her closer to me as we slowed our dance down. My stomach was flipping all over the damn place. I missed being with Libby like this. Missed feeling happy like this.

Reaching up, I moved a piece of hair off of Libby’s face and tucked it behind her ear. She smiled and it about dropped me to my knees. Wrapping her arms around my neck, our eyes locked as our bodies moved in perfect sync.