Always (Next Generation The Skulls #1) - Sam Crescent Page 0,57
you do, to me. You always are beautiful and I love it when you smile like that.”
Devil cleared his throat. “We’ll be waiting for your return.” He dangled the car keys from his fingers. “Slow and steady. You’ve been taught.”
“I will. I’ll keep her safe.”
“Have fun,” Lexie said.
“We will.” Simon looked at the flowers. “These are for you.”
Tabby laughed. “They’re beautiful.”
Lexie took them. “I’ll put them in some water for you.”
“Thank you.”
Putting a hand on her back, Simon walked out of the house and went to the car. He opened the passenger door and Tabby climbed in.
He took a deep breath, the nerves getting to him. He waved at his parents just as he got behind the wheel.
“They’re still watching,” Tabby said.
“I know.” He pulled out of the driveway. “I booked us a seat at a restaurant in town. It’s a cute little Italian place. They’re the only ones who were willing to do vegetarian meals.”
“Thank you, Simon.”
“Anything for you.” He took her hand, locking their fingers together.
“Your hand’s a little sweaty.”
“I’m nervous. I thought I was the best kind of boyfriend in the world.”
“You are and don’t let anyone else tell you any different. You’re awesome.” She rested her head on his shoulder. He could do this.
****
“Tabitha is going to keep him on his toes,” Lexie said.
“Count on it. She has got that boy so twisted up, but at least it’s keeping him out of trouble.”
“She’s struggling, though, Devil. You can see that.”
Devil wrapped his arms around his wife. The headlights of the car had already faded in the distance. “I know.”
“Do you think allowing her to come here and help was a mistake?” Lexie asked, turning to look at him.
“Do you want the truth?”
“Yeah.”
“I do and I don’t.”
“That’s one way of avoiding the answers,” Lexie said, smiling.
He cupped her cheek. The love he had for this woman. “I don’t think we made a mistake because she needs to realize what kind of future she has. Being with Simon means a choice has to be made. This is her one and only chance to realize that. She’s a Skull. We all knew this day would come. We can’t keep avoiding it. I expected Simon to move on. To find a girl in high school, or several girls, but it’s Tabitha he wants, and the only person he seems to think about. We can’t change that.”
Lexie sighed. “I hate this. They are going to have such a hard time. We all know this and we’re only now thinking about it.”
He held her close. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
“Nothing. There’s nothing we can do. Unless there’s a chance of you and Lash coming to some agreement.”
“No.”
“Then no, Devil. I know the club means the world to you, and I love you. This is the challenge they’re going to have to face.” She cupped his face. “Take me indoors. It’s cold.”
****
Twenty minutes later
“You hate this,” Tabitha said, looking over her menu at her date.
“No, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine, you’re wriggling.” She looked at where his finger was digging into his neck. She pressed her lips together.
“You’re finding this really funny.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t seem to help it.”
“This isn’t funny.”
“It is a little funny.” She lifted up the menu and then shook her head. “Let me.” She leaned over the table and unbuttoned the top two, relieving his neck. “There, how is that?”
“Does it still look neat?”
“Simon, stop it. I wanted you to take me on a date, not dress up like someone I don’t know. You look handsome, dashing. Stop worrying so much. Please. You’re actually making me nervous.”
“I am nervous. I thought we’d been on dates before.”
“We have in a way, but nothing like this. Now, pick up your menu.” She’d noticed the moment they entered the restaurant some of the couples had stopped eating to watch them. This was what she was used to. Even back home in a town that accepted them, there were a few people who didn’t like to mingle with them.
Glancing over the menu, she went straight to the vegetarian section.
“I’m ready to order if you are.”
Simon looked toward their waiter, who immediately came to their table. He gave his order and Tabitha asked for hers, offering up the menu. She settled on a chocolate pudding for dessert.
Linking her fingers together in her lap, she stared across the candlelit table. “This is nice.”
“It is?” he asked.
“The suit aside, you and me, out to dinner. Come on, tell me you don’t like this.”