30. Sawyer

CHAPTER 30

SAWYER

She loved me.

I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive myself for not handling things differently back then, but I'm sure as hell going to be handling them better from here on out.

DING.

Leah grabs her phone off the counter as texts continue to come in one after another.

"Shit," she whispers, biting on the inside of cheek.

"What's wrong?"

"I forgot I was supposed to go to Ruby's after dinner with my parents tonight." She tilts her head up to look at me, and I can't help but love that she looks a little disappointed about that. Since the alternative was going on a date with me.

"That's right. The should-be-illegal-on-a-work-night girls' night."

"That's the one." She points her finger at me, giving a sarcastic smile. I can tell how torn she is over having to choose between canceling her already established plans and the ones I sprung on her at the last minute.

"Go have your girls' night." My encouragement earns me a scowl from her that makes me laugh. " That way I have time to plan something really good for us to do for our first date." Her expression changes immediately, and a warmth appears across her cheeks when she smiles.

"Okay." I lean down and take her lips in mine, basking in the way that this feels more right than anything else ever has. Not even my skates hitting the ice compares to the way I feel when I kiss this woman.

I force myself to pry my lips from hers and grab my keys from the counter before turning to head out. "Tell the spice girls I say hello." I wave over my head.

"Which one am I?" She calls after me, causing me to turn around just as I reach the door.

"Which one is baby spice?" Her face falls into a scowl again.

"Get out of my house." I bark out a laugh when she throws her hand up, directing me to leave.

"Catch you later, Dove." I give her a wink and head home.