played it down.
“So?” She twirled around.
Silence.
“Wow!” Tyler finally said.
John had changed his shirt and by the smell of soap and damp hair, she assumed he had managed to take a shower. The tequila bottle was almost empty, and the pizza had been reduced to crumbs inside its open box. She hoped he hadn’t eaten any of it; despite everything else, she was hungry.
“Let’s go,” she urged him.
They had to walk less than ten minutes to get to the restaurant. They were staying at a motel off the highway and, since driving the tour bus to anywhere was too much of a hassle, the best they could do under the circumstances was a Macaroni Grill across the street.
“This should be fun,” she said.
“What?”
“Having a grown-up meal, just the two of us.”
“Are you serious? Who is the grown up here?”
Stop over-thinking.
After all, it was John. They’d spent time together, they knew each other. Yet she felt a cloud of ambiguity hovering over them and John must had felt it as well, because he decided to blow it over before it became a storm.
He held her arm to make her stop before they walked up the steps to the restaurant, and said, “Audrey, just so we’re clear … ”
Oh, God. He is putting me in my place right now.
“Are you looking for an excuse to wear your new dress or…what is this?”
“John…” Only, what to say? I think you’re cool and I was hoping to get laid tonight. If true, it could work with any other of the guys, but not with John. She didn’t know what this was, she suspected was more than sex, otherwise sleeping with Kevin or Tyler would —
Before she found the words to answer his question, he leaned forward and kissed her. His hands held the small of her back and pulled her close. Her heart punched in her chest, as if an alien was trying to rip her ribcage open. She placed her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The smell of his skin, the warmth of his lips, and the taste of his tongue was intoxicating. She wanted to undress him right there, but instead she summoned the strength to say, “Let’s eat,” and with a hand on his chest, pushed herself gently out of his arms.
He gave her the same smile she’d seen only once. It made her feel like a tiny leaf that, tossed by the wind, had traveled the world to come to that spot, at that instant, to witness that smile. One thing she’d learned about John and could not take for granted: he didn’t open himself frivolously to everyone. At that moment, he was opening himself to her in his smile. She let out the slightest sigh of satisfaction as he touched her forehead with his. It seemed they had shared the same fears and the same desires all along and, as the realization dawned on her, she laughed out loud; and so did he.
Gesso arches were stenciled with vines not burdened by the weight of the full and round grape bunches painted on them. A short line of burgundy-colored upholstered booths were dimly lit by low-hanging lamps above the tables and votive candles inside stained glass holders. The porcelain-faced hostess led them to the last booth, handed out the menus, and left with the same enthusiasm of a funerary home attendant.
“Not sure about the food, but her enthusiasm is contagious.” Audrey looked at him mockingly.
“That’s the beauty of chain restaurants, If you’ve been to one, you already know what to expect — at least from the food.”
When the waitress came over bearing two glasses of water, John ordered a Chianti from the wine list.
Audrey looked over the menu, but the only thing she could think about was the interrupted kiss in the parking lot. She should have taken him back to her room and ordered pizza, now she had to sit across the table and make casual conversation. How could she feel she knew everything that was to know about him, when in reality she knew nothing at all? A musician, older sibling, deceased mother, incredibly kind and attentive. Shy. Sexy. Soft lips.
“Tell me about
“So?” She twirled around.
Silence.
“Wow!” Tyler finally said.
John had changed his shirt and by the smell of soap and damp hair, she assumed he had managed to take a shower. The tequila bottle was almost empty, and the pizza had been reduced to crumbs inside its open box. She hoped he hadn’t eaten any of it; despite everything else, she was hungry.
“Let’s go,” she urged him.
They had to walk less than ten minutes to get to the restaurant. They were staying at a motel off the highway and, since driving the tour bus to anywhere was too much of a hassle, the best they could do under the circumstances was a Macaroni Grill across the street.
“This should be fun,” she said.
“What?”
“Having a grown-up meal, just the two of us.”
“Are you serious? Who is the grown up here?”
Stop over-thinking.
After all, it was John. They’d spent time together, they knew each other. Yet she felt a cloud of ambiguity hovering over them and John must had felt it as well, because he decided to blow it over before it became a storm.
He held her arm to make her stop before they walked up the steps to the restaurant, and said, “Audrey, just so we’re clear … ”
Oh, God. He is putting me in my place right now.
“Are you looking for an excuse to wear your new dress or…what is this?”
“John…” Only, what to say? I think you’re cool and I was hoping to get laid tonight. If true, it could work with any other of the guys, but not with John. She didn’t know what this was, she suspected was more than sex, otherwise sleeping with Kevin or Tyler would —
Before she found the words to answer his question, he leaned forward and kissed her. His hands held the small of her back and pulled her close. Her heart punched in her chest, as if an alien was trying to rip her ribcage open. She placed her arms around his neck and kissed him back. The smell of his skin, the warmth of his lips, and the taste of his tongue was intoxicating. She wanted to undress him right there, but instead she summoned the strength to say, “Let’s eat,” and with a hand on his chest, pushed herself gently out of his arms.
He gave her the same smile she’d seen only once. It made her feel like a tiny leaf that, tossed by the wind, had traveled the world to come to that spot, at that instant, to witness that smile. One thing she’d learned about John and could not take for granted: he didn’t open himself frivolously to everyone. At that moment, he was opening himself to her in his smile. She let out the slightest sigh of satisfaction as he touched her forehead with his. It seemed they had shared the same fears and the same desires all along and, as the realization dawned on her, she laughed out loud; and so did he.
Gesso arches were stenciled with vines not burdened by the weight of the full and round grape bunches painted on them. A short line of burgundy-colored upholstered booths were dimly lit by low-hanging lamps above the tables and votive candles inside stained glass holders. The porcelain-faced hostess led them to the last booth, handed out the menus, and left with the same enthusiasm of a funerary home attendant.
“Not sure about the food, but her enthusiasm is contagious.” Audrey looked at him mockingly.
“That’s the beauty of chain restaurants, If you’ve been to one, you already know what to expect — at least from the food.”
When the waitress came over bearing two glasses of water, John ordered a Chianti from the wine list.
Audrey looked over the menu, but the only thing she could think about was the interrupted kiss in the parking lot. She should have taken him back to her room and ordered pizza, now she had to sit across the table and make casual conversation. How could she feel she knew everything that was to know about him, when in reality she knew nothing at all? A musician, older sibling, deceased mother, incredibly kind and attentive. Shy. Sexy. Soft lips.
“Tell me about
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