1.
Garrett’s nostrils flared, and he shifted on his stool. His eyes remained locked on mine as
he slid his headphones from his head and set them aside. Cursing the tiny tremor in my hands, I
removed my headphones and set them somewhere on the control board beside me.
“Olivia.”
My name on his lips rasped over me like calloused hands over my skin. Involuntary shivers rippled through me, and I clamped my thighs even tighter together.
I stopped whatever he wanted to say next with my finger pressed to his full lips. For a long moment, neither of us moved. Then he reached up and smoothed his fingers up my palm and higher along the length of my fingers. His eyes dipped to our hands. Though we barely touched, sensations like electric currents sparked every nerve, beginning in my hand and arcing up my arm to trip my heart nearly into arrhythmia. My breath caught as he slid his fingers through mine, up and down, up and down, before he twined our hands together with a gentle squeeze. I closed my eyes and worked to find some air.
2.
Olivia’s expression as she blinked at me banished all thoughts of the band, the movie, and the song. So much rode on the success of this video, but in this moment, all I could think
about was the way golden rings surrounded her pupils, the hitch in her breathing, the soft parting of her lips.
3.
Reaching out, he pried my hand from my body, tugging it toward him. It was only as he massaged it that I noticed how cramped I was. “Making this video with you is a gift.”
My brows furrowed even as the tension ebbed from my hand at his gentle touch. “It gives a us a chance to remember what we had.” His attention strayed to our joined
hands. “We have a chance to reconnect, maybe think about what we could have now.”
4.
All I could think about was how close those fingers were to my thigh and how much I’d loved it when he’d used them to play rhythms over my bare skin. With my attention not where it belonged, no doubt I would have driven right past the diner if not for the timely placement of a red light. The diner was quiet with only a few occupied tables. We found one beside the windows looking out onto the street and perused our menus. “What are you gonna have?” we said simultaneously. “Waffles.” Again at the same time. Our eyes met and held and smiles broke over our faces.
5.
From the second I heard his voice on the phone the day we set this project in motion, Garrett Phillips was dangerous. This moment proved exactly how dangerous. Another forkful of stupidly good chocolate waffle appeared in front of my mouth, and helpless to deny him, I accepted it, sealing my fate. “You know what this is, Olivia.” His voice was low, commanding. “It’s never going to work,” I countered. “You don’t know that. And you can’t find out if you don’t take a chance.” His gaze flicked to my lips and back to my eyes. “Give me a chance, O. Give us a chance. Please.”
6.
A valet stood outside my driver’s side window, waiting for me to exit the car. Gripping the steering wheel tight, I closed my eyes, my body and mind in a tug-o-war over my next move. Garrett kissed my jaw again and let his pinky ghost over my center, and that was it. I unbuckled my seatbelt and when he sat up to unbuckle his, I reached into the back seat for my bag. Once again, he clasped my hand in his as he led me into the hotel—and back to the past—or possibly the future.
7.
“So this isn’t you sweet talking me?”
“Not even a little bit. This is me being happy for the chance to spend time with you again.
This is me wanting you.”
“Garrett.”
