all of a second, we got lost in each other. I didn’t bother finishing my sentence just yet—I simply stood there, loving the silent peace of being with Shelby.
If I didn’t say something soon, I’d probably come across really creepy. “Can I make it up to you? Tonight?” I smiled, but didn’t quite feel it in my heart yet. “We can go get your car, too.”
She shook her head. “I have plans tonight until late. Like midnight.”
“Tomorrow, then?”
She sighed. “Tate—”
“We have a French test coming up soon. Don’t you need to study?”
She paused at that, nibbling her bottom lip, and it took every ounce of self-control not to run my thumb along that sinful pout of hers. “Yeah, I do. And we need to talk. I’ll come over tomorrow afternoon,” she finally whispered.
I grinned, this time feeling the pulse jump in my throat. “Yeah?” I raised my eyebrows, nodding in encouragement.
A small twitch of her lips flipped at the corners as she agreed. “Yeah,” she sighed. “But Tate…just to study.”
I backed up a couple of steps, giving her space, a smile lighting my face. “Sexier words have never been uttered.”
She laughed at that, calling after me. “I mean it.” Shutting the door to her mailbox, she locked it with a shake of her head. A truck pulled up in front of the building, and she pushed out the front door to where Harrison had parked. “I gotta go…my ride’s here.”
All that elation deflated quicker than you could say F-150 as I saw her hop in beside Harrison and give him that smile I worked so desperately hard to get. I waved as they sped off together, and in Harrison’s side mirror, his eyes connected with mine in a stare down that was pretty damn intense for such a short window. At least I got her to agree to come over. I got the second chance—and that’s what mattered most right now.
Remnants of her coconut and vanilla shampoo lingered in the air even minutes after she’d left, and I closed my eyes, inhaling that scent deep, as if that could somehow make her mine. As if clinging to that scent could somehow make her one with me. It had been years since I’d felt this happy with a woman. Shelby had some demons she was dealing with, that was for sure. But I could handle a little darkness. Because I had a feeling that deeper below that darkness was something blindingly beautiful and bright, ready to shine through.
Chapter Fifteen
SHELBY
Work last night had been exhausting. I was glad that I’d picked up the shift at Magnolia’s, but it had been packed. The bad news was I woke up with blisters. The good news was that I had a couple hundred bucks extra cash in my pocket thanks to a great night of tips. That two hundred extra bucks made it so I didn’t have to pick up any additional shifts for at least a couple of weeks. I could focus on, and dedicate that time to, getting my French grade up.
The intercom phone rang, and I hopped over, lifting the receiver to my ear.
“Ms. Stevens, there’s a Harrison here for you.”
“Thanks, Lou. Send him up. My friend, Reagan should be here in a bit, too. Feel free to just let her in when she gets here.”
I grabbed the plate I had dirtied yesterday, thanks to Tate’s croissant and éclair, and tucked it into the dishwasher. The sight of the crumbs brought an emptiness to my chest. It wasn’t fair to him—I had stop whatever this thing was between us. And if that meant finding another tutor, I’d do it. Though, part of me hoped that wouldn’t be necessary, because he was actually a great teacher.
Right, you want to keep spending time with him because he’s a good teacher.
After I basically had a psychotic break right in front of him, I wasn’t sure why he was being so nice. But it didn’t matter. I was too fucked up for any kind of relationship. And until I was ready to be completely candid with someone, I shouldn’t be stringing him along. There was a knot in my throat, and yet, I knew it was the right choice.
There was a quiet knock at the door, and I rushed to open it. On the other side stood Harrison, grocery bag in hand and smile on his face. “Hey, Shelbs.” He leaned in, dropping a quick kiss to my cheek before rushing past me and setting the