If You Stay (Beautifully Broken, #1)(27)

“I remember,” I tell him. “But it was because I was trying to listen to my head, not my heart. My head is usually the smarter of the two. For once, though, I’m going to do the crazy thing.”

Pax grins. “I’ve done the crazy thing more times than I can count, usually to my detriment. Trust me, I know crazy, and this isn’t it. This is… just nature. A man and a woman who are attracted to each other when they logically shouldn’t be because they’re opposites. But opposites always attract, you know, so it makes total sense.”

He says this knowingly, as if he’s an expert and I laugh.

“Okay, Dr. Phil. We’ll just pretend that it makes total sense and then just go from there.”

“Where exactly do we go from there, though? How do we go about a real relationship?” he asks wryly. “Because I truly don’t know.”

I can see that he doesn’t. He looks at a loss and he’s not even trying to hide it. I find that refreshing, so I don’t make fun of him.

Instead, I simply say, “Well, we start with a first date. Then a second and a third. We’ll take it slow. I’m not going to jump into your bed tonight, Pax. I meant it when I said that I’m afraid to trust you to not break my heart. I’m going to need some time for you to prove that you won’t.”

“I’m okay with that,” he tells me, amusement in his voice. “I think you’ll be worth the wait.”

I smile, then lean into his arm and we watch the lake, at how the foamy lip slides onto the beach and then sucks back away. The sun glistens on the surface like a million prisms of light and I look up at him.

“I bet this is the earliest you’ve been up in a while.”

He laughs. “Maybe. I’m not admitting to anything, though. I will tell you that I need a shower. Desperately. So I’m going to drive you to your car, then take one. When can I see you again?”

When can he see me again?

The way he words that question causes my heart to twinge a bit once again. It seems so vulnerable and tender, like him. Like somewhere, deep down, behind his tough-looking exterior, he’s fragile. But I don’t say it because I’m sure that he wouldn’t appreciate being described with that particular word.

Instead, I reply, “I have to work a shift at The Hill, my family’s restaurant. My sister runs it. I’m helping out during the slow winter months. But if you want to come over around the end of my shift, we can have our first date. Do you like Italian food?”

Pax smiles. “I love it. And it’s a date.”

He walks me to his car and then kisses me again, leaning me against the cool metal door as he wraps his tongue with mine until I feel weak-kneed from his nearness. But I finally pull away like a rational human being and watch him walk around to his side. I can’t help but notice the way the muscles in his back flex as he moves. I sigh.

He’s gorgeous, and flawed and sexy. And I have no idea what I’m getting into.

********

I had forgotten how tiring waiting tables truly is. I’ve only been here for five hours and it feels like a million. I pause tiredly by the kitchen door to rub my ankle after banging it on a table leg.

“Tired already?” Maddy asks with a grin as she passes by. She pauses next to me, a tray of food in her hands. “Don’t worry. The night is almost over.”

I roll my eyes. “Yet the blisters will last all week. Oh, the things I do for you, big sister.”

She giggles and delivers her food while it is still steaming, balancing the loaded tray expertly. Even though she has been here every bit as long as me today, she still looks flawless. Her blonde ponytail is still perky, her makeup is still perfect. She doesn’t look for even a minute like she is hung-over. I don’t know how she does it. It’s annoying.

I sink into a nearby chair to rest my weary legs.

“Is this seat taken?”

Before I even look, my heart knows that the husky voice belongs to Pax.

I turn and find Pax behind me, freshly showered and dressed in slacks and a button-up. Holy Hell. He looks amazing. I hadn’t been expecting him to dress up and I instantly feel at a distinct disadvantage. I’m grimy and smell like garlic. Why can’t I look perfect at all times like Madison?

“Hi,” I tell him softly. “You clean up really well.”

He smiles, bright and brilliant. “Thanks. Am I early?”

“Only a bit. Why don’t you come sit at the bar and get a drink while I finish up?”

He nods and I lead him to the bar, introducing him to our lion-haired bartender. Tony’s thick black hair stands up in an uproarious mess all over his head.

“Pax, this is Tony. He’s been with us for years, back when my parents were still alive. Tony, this is Pax. Can you keep him company while I finish up my shift?”

Tony, a forty-year old true Italian, looks interested in this venture. As I walk away, I hear him begin interrogating Pax.

I turn around. “I’m sorry,” I call to Pax. “I won’t be long.”

Pax rolls his eyes good-naturedly and returns his attention to Tony’s inquisition. I turn back around, only to bump directly into Maddy.

“What are you doing, little sis?” she asks sternly. “What’s he doing here?”

I eye her. She’s got her sternest big-sister expression on and I sigh.