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“She told you not to touch her, so don’t touch her, jackass.”
“I have rules.”
“Number one: No flirting. Number two—“
“We can’t fall in love with each other.”
“Too late. You’re my wife now. Didn’t you hear Sandy?” “You wish.” “I’m starting to.”
In that moment, Duke was my best friend I had just met. The words flowed out of my mouth and into the air between us, where I felt sure he would catch them and hold them safe. I’d never experienced anything like this night, and a part of me wondered if I stopped talking, would the magic between us be over? So I kept talking, the words leaving my lips and healing a part of me as they did.
“Did you start wearing cowboy boots and a hat?” He leaned back. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Whether you believe it or not, you’re fun, Nora. Smart. Driven. Hot. And fun.” His eyes flitted to my lips before raising back up again, his low voice causing sparks to burst down my spine. “You’re the whole package, and I hate North Dakota.”
“And by the way, I remember everything about that night.”
“Don’t bite your lip.”
Okay. No more curling your hair. My productivity level is at a big fat zero today. Me: Fine. No more wearing your blue suit.
I strode past the lobby area and stopped short when I saw Ryan washing windows I’d already cleaned and Mike gathering the trash I hadn’t gotten to yet.
I LOVE THEM
It was an art form, really, how Duke could talk me into doing things outside of my tidy existence. Out of my comfort zone. My only defense was that sometimes a girl gets tired of trying to resist Duke’s charms.
Before I knew what he was doing, he leaned down and grabbed the leg of my chair, dragging me back until I sat next to him, shoulder to shoulder.
“Nora. You’re safe with me. You know that right?”
You don’t have to do everything on your own. You can let people help you, you know.”
As we rode down the dirt pathway carved off the side of a hay field on a warm summer night with Duke’s arms wrapped around me, falling seemed...inevitable.
Kiss Cam?”
His mouth was hot against mine, dipping and taking everything I offered. The splash of water between us was the only sound as his arms wound their way against my waist, pulling me closer. The light bristles from his face marked my skin, causing my breath to catch and my footing to stumble. This moment felt like coming home in a way that didn’t quite make sense. He held me with such sweetness and care it almost made me ache.
I was beginning to think Duke was a liar. I won’t let you fall. This felt very much like falling.
It says that you can kiss me anytime you want.”
He caught my smile with his lips until ever so slowly our mouths began to soften and our lips began a dance. A tango of longing and sweetness, perfect for the moment. Our moment.
I’d held my heart so guarded for so long, and his surprise attack had been quick and efficient, disarming me so gently with toilet brushes and squeegees, flirtatious notes, and countless smiles.
He didn’t disappoint. At least, he didn’t disappoint…me.
“Maybe you could learn a few things from him? Did you ever think of that?” Roger’s annoyed eyes landed on mine like I was a bug he’d like to squash. My stomach clenched inside, but on the outside I was a force to be reckoned with. “There are so many things you miss in life when you pass off everything you deem not worth your time. Things too small for you. But the five dollar decisions are where the people are. Where humanity is. That’s where the real lessons are learned. Even you had to start somewhere, and shame on you if you’ve forgotten that. You were mad that he wasted a whole Saturday to
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P.S. Red is your color. Also all the other colors.
“I don’t want anything from you beyond a tiny fraction of worry to leave your face.”
“One day, when all the stars align for you, maybe you’ll date someone. Maybe you’ll get married. And I sure as hell hope that guy helps you shoulder a few of your burdens. Not because he doesn’t think you’re capable. Not because he wants to control you. But because he loves you.” He bent down closer, the heat from his words breathing life into my ear. “And I hope you let him.”
“You can quote every romantic comedy ever made, but you can’t see the guy who loves you standing in front of your face.”
“Nora—“ He broke off, shaking his head slightly, pinning me with his stare. “You were never the rebound. She was.”
The audacity of Duke Webber. If my life were a romantic comedy, that would be the title.
Mike: We don’t want him anymore. Please take him back. Ryan: He’s a good guy. I promise. Please put us all out of our misery.
Mike & Ryan: Seriously, he’s a bear when he’s lovesick. At least he was three years ago. Mike & Ryan Shawn: You are the happiest whenever he walks into the room. Go get him.
My feelings for Duke had been repressed, denied, pushed aside, and held hostage long enough. I had been scared long enough. My heart had been bruised and guarded and tucked away for so long that having someone handle it with care and sweetness had been like a red flag for me.
“I know exactly who you are, Nora Griffin. You have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve known. You gave up your childhood so you could give one to your sisters. You have a work ethic like nobody I’ve ever seen. You selflessly give and give until you break. For better or worse.” When I glared at him, he only smiled. “But you also make me laugh. You’re sometimes a wild woman who breaks the rules. You tease and flirt with me even when you try not to. I fell in love with all of those parts of you.”
“If you don’t want me, fine. Tell me, and I’ll go. I’ll leave you alone. But don’t stand here and tell me you don’t deserve me. Because from where I stand, I don’t deserve you. Not even close. But I want you.”
“It’s hard to feel like I deserve someone so good, so I’m going to tell you some of my flaws to make sure you know what you’re getting into before this goes any further.” He stopped, scrunching his nose into an adorable face. “Is it the Dr. Pepper thing? I already know that. We can work through it.”
“And I want you to try to see my mom’s good qualities too. Because she has them. Lots of them.” His eyes grew soft. “You came from her. I already love her best quality.”
He laughed, but only for a second, before his lips found mine. And I suddenly knew what heaven tasted like. It tasted like hope.
If tenderness had a color, it was the deep, rich brown of Duke’s eyes. If sweetness had a flavor, it was his kiss, soft and hot against my mouth. It was a timid thing, opening my heart up enough to fuse it to another. To give someone the very thing I’d guarded so closely. But there was freedom in it as well. Without movement forward, we become stagnant. I didn’t know where our love might take us. But I had chosen hope over fear, and so far, hope felt like a warm wind in my face, looked like smiles that wouldn’t stop coming, and a feeling of pure happiness that was all-consuming.
