I did the same.
She chewed.
I chewed.
She took another bite.
So did I.
She didn’t look at me.
But all I could stare at was her profile.
A memory came rushing back, of the two of us at this small hole-in-the-wall pizzeria in Vegas. It hadn’t been long after we’d started dating. Before that day, I hadn’t realized that a woman could have a sexy chew.
But the way her lips moved, the flex in her jaw and cheeks. Another memory hit, this one of her taking me in her mouth. My cock twitched behind my jeans and I shifted to hide the growing bulge.
“How was Seattle?” I asked.
She glanced over, her eyebrows raised. “I’m not here for casual conversation, Foster.”
“Humor me while we eat.”
She sighed. “Seattle was rainy. School was time consuming, so I didn’t get out much, but I struggled with the gray days in winter.”
“You always liked the sunshine.” It was the reason she’d moved to Vegas for undergrad. “Remember that time we went hiking, and on the way down, we found that rattlesnake in the path?”
“Oh, don’t remind me.” She shivered. “I hate snakes.”
“You made us wait until it slithered off. By the time we made it to the car, I was burnt to a crisp.”
“I told you to wear sunscreen.”
“There’s always a bottle in my truck. I learned my lesson.”
The corner of her mouth turned up as she chewed. Not a smile, but the beginning of one.
There she is. There’s my girl.
Maybe if I could talk about the good times, it would help ease the sting from the bad.
“I stayed at The Eloise last week. Nice place. Saw your sister at the coffee shop.”
Her eyes widened, and when she spoke, her words were muffled with food. “Lyla?”
“She had another girl at the counter, so I didn’t actually talk to her. You don’t look as similar as I thought you would.” Having only seen Talia’s twin in photos, I’d thought they would be more identical.
“What do you mean?”
“She was actually smiling. Laughing. She didn’t have a murderous scowl on her face.”
“My murderous scowl is reserved for you. Other people consider me quite pleasant. And I’ve been told my bedside manner is unmatched.”
I chuckled, some of my nerves settling. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard, not if we could tease each other.
“Want another slice?” I stood and collected the box, bringing it to the coffee table. Then I took another slice while she did the same. “Do you like the hospital here?”
“I do. But I’m still trying to prove myself.”
“To who?”
“Everyone. I’m an Eden. My family founded this town generations ago. Most people have known me since I was a kid, including my boss and most of the tenured nurses. Not everyone looks at me and sees the adult I’ve become.”
The defeat in her voice was enough to give me a murderous scowl of my own. How could anyone not look at her and see a brilliant and capable woman?
“I used to babysit Dr. Herrera’s kids when I was in high school,” she said. “Every once in a while, he’ll call me kiddo. The patient tonight, the guy who cut his hand, asked if there was someone else to stitch him up. When I said no, he said he didn’t mean any offense, but he remembers me as a cheerleader when his son was on the football team.”
Asshole. Was that why she looked so tired? “Sorry.”
“That’s life in a small town. But it’s a good town. A great place for kids to grow up.”
I was counting on it.
Talia finished eating before me. She set her plate aside, balled up her napkin, and when she faced me, the casual conversation portion of our evening was over. “Why did you buy that ring?”
I set my own plate aside. “Because I couldn’t stand the idea of it being on any other woman’s hand. That ring is yours. Always has been. So I bought it. Promised myself if I ever saw you again, I’d give it to you.”
“You spent thousands of dollars just in case we’d see each other again?”
“Yes.” That ring was the most expensive purchase I’d ever made up to that point in my life. “I’d like you to have it.”
“I can’t.” She shook her head. “I just . . . I can’t. Sell it. Give the money to charity.”
Never.
Either she kept it.
Or I would.
“So.” She shifted again, straightening. I’d spent my life reading body language. Looking for the strike. Looking for my opponent’s tell. Talia was stiff, like she was ready to take a blow. “Your explanation.”
Just lay it out there.
Whatever it takes.
I opened my mouth, ready to delve into the past, but my phone rang on the coffee table, the chime at full volume because I hadn’t wanted to miss any calls while I’d been working on this place. “Shit. Sorry.”
Vivienne’s face flashed on the screen. She had her tongue sticking out and her eyes were crossed. She called it her goofy face.
I declined it, then faced Talia again. But her eyes weren’t waiting for mine. They were locked on the screen. On Vivi’s picture.
“Do you talk to her often?”
Shit. The honest answer wasn’t one she’d like. “Yes. Every day.”
“But you’re divorced.”
“Vivienne is my friend. We’re no longer married, but she’s part of my life.” She’d been my ally through years of hell.
A crease formed between Talia’s eyebrows.
“Hey.” I scooted closer, reaching for her shoulder, but before I could touch her, she shot out of her seat and snagged her coat.
“I can’t do this,” she said as she flew through the apartment’s doorway.
Fuck. “Talia, wait.” I jumped to follow, jogging to catch her in the gym. When I tried to touch her elbow, she yanked it away. So I lengthened my strides, passing her to block the door.
“Move.” She sidestepped to the right.
I shifted too. “You said you’d let me explain.”
“Get out of the way.” She sidestepped again, and I followed. “Gah. Just let me go, Foster.”
“I haven’t let you go in seven years. I’m not starting tonight.”
She rocked back on her heels.
“Please, Tally. Stay. Let’s talk.” I took her shock as my opening, stepping closer. Then I lifted my hand, tracing my fingertips across her cheekbone. A current raced up my arm as she gasped.
Her eyes locked with mine, the blue pools swirling.
Yeah, she felt it too. Of course she’d feel it.
What we had wasn’t the type of connection that went away with time. This was the spark that lasted a lifetime. This was lightning. It knocked you on your ass to make sure you realized just how rare it was.
I leaned in closer, bending until our breaths mingled. My fingers slid into her hair. She didn’t push me away. She didn’t step back. Her eyes stayed locked with mine as I closed the gap between us.
Another inch and that mouth would be mine. Another inch and I’d get the kiss I craved with every fiber of my being.
Just another inch and—