Listen to Your Heart(13)

“I see. So, if she’s just a girl, you wouldn’t mind if I asked her out?”

My eyes narrow as I angrily tear off the label on the bottle.

“That’s what I thought. Just a girl, my ass.”

“It’s complicated, Jesse.”

“Oh, I can imagine. Sweet Juliana with your engagement ring on her finger, and a gorgeous, green-eyed bombshell standing back there at the jukebox, looking almost as lovesick as you do.”

I spin around on the barstool. Her back’s turned to me, and her long red hair is pulled into a ponytail, but there’s no denying it’s her.

“She was in here last night, too,” he says quietly. “Sat at that same table right in front of the stage. Didn’t eat. Didn’t drink. Occasionally fed quarters to the jukebox, but otherwise, she just sat there listening to music. Left the waitress a huge tip for doing absolutely nothing and walked out just before midnight.”

An old Aerosmith song flows from the jukebox as I let myself drown in the sight of her. Skye’s body starts to sway with the rhythm of the music, and I’m incapable of keeping my distance a second longer.

“Definitely complicated,” Jesse says, right as my feet hit the floor.

I maneuver my way through the crowded tables. As I get closer, I smile when I see Skye’s back stiffen. Without considering the consequences, I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her against my chest. She gasps softly but doesn’t turn around as her body relaxes against me. Her hands cover mine and our fingers lace together as we gently move to the music.

When the song ends and morphs into another ballad, Skye finally turns around in my arms, allowing me a glimpse of those green eyes that have haunted me for days.

“I’m sorry, Skye.”

She drops her head, and I softly touch her chin, lifting her eyes back to mine.

“Please don’t hide. I’ve missed you.”

“And whose fault is that?”

“Mine. All mine.”

“Why did you run, Caleb?”

I lean my forehead against hers and whisper the most honest words I can manage.

“Because I’m terrified. I have no idea what to do, Skye.”

I can tell by the expression on her face that she doesn’t understand. Why would she? It’s not like I’ve been completely open and honest about any of this.

“Caleb, are you seeing someone?”

“No.”

“Married?”

I shake my head. Not yet, anyway.

“Then it’s me. And that’s fine. Just say so.”

“It’s not you, Skye. Can’t you tell I’m crazy attracted to you?” I tighten my arms around her and hold her closer. “You’re literally all I’ve thought about since the moment we met. I’ve been miserable. I’ve even watched Dirty Dancing about a thousand times this week because it’s all that seems to be on TV at night. I couldn’t escape it. I couldn’t escape you.”

She sighs quietly. “If all that’s true—”

“It is.”

“Then I really don’t get it.”

“I know. And I wish I could explain it better.”

Skye’s fingers weave their way into my hair, and I close my eyes, letting the warmth of her body against mine help me forget everything. For just a moment, I forget that I’ve made a promise to my best friend. I allow myself to think that, just maybe, there’s a chance I can make this work without hurting everyone involved. After all, it’s still two weeks until Jules comes home. That gives me fourteen days to formulate some sort of plan.

Gazing down at her, I lift my hand and gently trace the outline of her lips with my fingertip. All I want to do is kiss her, and by the way her eyes keep flickering to my mouth, I know she wants it, too. Lowering my head, I’ve nearly touched her lips with mine when she suddenly pulls away.

“Sorry,” she says, reaching into her pocket for her phone. “I need to get this. I’m . . . sort of on call tonight.”

“No problem.”

I mentally curse whoever’s on the phone while Skye steps outside to take her call. She’s not gone long, but when she returns, I can tell by the look on her face that she has to go.

“Everything okay?”

She nods. “It was my brother, Nick.”

“Eli’s dad?”

“Yeah, I need to pick him up. He was supposed to spend the night with a friend from class, but he’s caught a stomach bug or something. Nick’s stuck at work, and Eli’s mom is out of town, so . . .”

“So, that’s what you meant by on call.”

“Right.”

“I understand. You should go.”

“I should. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s no problem. Do you want some help getting him home?”

“Nah, I can handle it. Thanks, though.”

She gives me a sad smile and turns to walk away, but I can’t let her leave. Not like this.

I gently grab her arm. “Wait! Can I . . . call you?”

“Do you want to call me?”

“I do. Very much.”

She shakes her head. “One minute you’re terrified and the next you’re asking for my number. You’re very confusing, Caleb.”