Chapter Three

Tara

Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the way it would feel to see David Armitage as an adult woman. My childhood crush has transformed into full-blown lust in a matter of seconds. The last time I saw him I was a shy, awkward teenager drowning in sadness after my father's passing. I haven't seen him in person since my father's funeral and he has aged…well, to put it mildly. His once black, wavy hair has more streaks of gray mixed in, making him look more distinguished rather than withered. The eyes that meet mine are a piercing blue, lit up with surprise and something else I can't quite recognize.

After I thanked him for coming to get me, David gave me a simple nod and asked me if I wanted to grab something to eat. I eagerly agreed, desperate for a cup of coffee and a sandwich. As we drive the diner, I can't keep my eyes from his corded forearms peeking out from under the rolled sleeves of his pale blue button down, the perfect color on his olive-toned skin.

God, he is so attractive. And I'm about to spend an extended period of time with him… what will we even talk about? As I'm thinking this, he pulls into the lot of Abby's Diner, a place he and my dad used to go all the time when they were building Microbats from the ground up. I know how much this place means to him.

We're quickly seated and before I know it, I am sipping an iced coffee and eating a BLT, waiting for an opportunity to break the silence as David slowly sips on his black coffee across the neon-pink booth we're sharing.

I look up at him, clearing my throat lightly even as my cheeks heat up. "I-I'm sorry for disrupting your day, I know you probably weren't expecting this today," I stammer out.

His gaze meets mine, his ocean eyes meeting mine in a way that makes my blush deepen.

"It's no trouble, Tara," he says in a surprisingly gentle voice that contradicts the intensity in his eyes. "I'm just glad you're fine, and out of jail," he says with a laugh. I laugh with him, thinking of how insane it is to be here, with him, when just a few hours all I could do was stare mindlessly at my un-played lecture.

"You know, Tara," he begins, "I am sorry for not checking up on you as much as I should have the last few years. I made a promise to your dad to look out for you, and I don't think I've been doing a very good job." As he was talking, he covered my hand with his own, a gesture I think he meant to be soothing, but is only adding to my growing need for him. God, what is wrong with me? I haven't even kissed anyone before and now I can't stop thinking about where else David could touch me. I need to snap out of it.

"It's okay, David. It's not like I've been reaching out to you either. Maybe we both just needed space after what happened to my dad," I say, feeling a relief at finally clearing the air between us. Maybe now he can be more of a staple in my life. He moves his hand off mine and I immediately miss its warmth.

To fill the void, I resume eating. As I take another bite of my sandwich, I catch David staring at me in a way that makes it look like he is genuinely interested in me, like there is something beyond this weird connection to my father that I could offer him.

He catches me looking back at him and clears his throat. "How are your studies going? Senior year, right?" He asks, breaking the tension.

"Yep!" I reply, a little to eagerly, elated by this small show of interest in my life. "My finals start in a few days, but I'm really having trouble studying."

"Oh really? Why is that?" He asks, with genuine concern lacing his face.

"I just can't focus on anything. This time of year really gets to me, I guess," wondering if he is aware of the anniversary coming up or if I am truly alone in my own grief. "Plus, my roommate Emily has no cares in the world and makes our apartment kind of hellish to study in," I add with a small, heartless laugh. God, why is it so hard to admit I'm having a tough time?

"I understand," he says, once again laying his hand over mine—showing me I am not alone in missing my dad. He clears his through before continuing, "Why don't you come stay with me for a few days, get away from your roommate, have a chance to refocus? I think spending some time together would be good for both of us."

"What?" I let out too fast, giving him a blank stare.

Did David really just ask me to stay with him?

"I think a change of scenery will do you some good, plus I can help you study," he says with a wink.

"I would love that, thank you so much David!" I say, feeling a blush creep up my neck to my cheeks. This will be good for me, plus David is one of the most successful environmental engineers alive, so maybe he really can help me prep for my finals.

David laughs, a real laugh that seems to come from his belly. I watch, mesmerized by the beauty of the man in front of me. "You're welcome," he says, leaning forward with a small smile.

"How about I drive you back to your apartment so you can pick some necessities and then we'll go home, sounds like a plan?" He asks.

Home. Why does that sound so good?

"Yes," I say, returning his smile. "Sounds like a plan."