Begin Again by Kat Jackson
Author:Kat Jackson [Jackson, Kat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781642471298
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2020-05-13T22:00:00+00:00
* * *
After the concert, we head out for food. Our walk down the street to a pub that offers great microbrews and glorified bar food is quiet. Both of us seem to be in a slight trance, and Iâm not totally sure if itâs from Chris Purekaâs intoxicating voice. We maintain a comfortable space as we walk. A good thingâIâm becoming more and more worried that if something, anything, were to happen, I wouldnât be able to stop myself.
Seated in a dark booth near the back of the pub, Burke seems to relax. Her playful and teasing smiles return, and weâre both able to converse normally. We order some food to pick at and share, and Iâm surprised when we both order water.
I start to ask Burke why she didnât order a beer, but she preempts me by asking, âSo? A-plus?â
âTrial periods donât earn grades.â
âPass/fail situation?â
âYep.â
She cocks her head slightly to the right. âAnd?â
âAndâ¦you have passed, although your first strike remains on the table.â
Burke nods, a satisfied look on her face. âNow what?â
âWhy didnât you order a beer?â
âYou really have a talent for maneuvering the conversation, you know that?â
âCommunications major, I might remind you.â
âIs that what they teach you? How to avoid questions and determine the direction of conversations? Oh, and they must spend a lot of time on non sequiturs, because you truly have those mastered, Emery.â Burke delivers this with one of those teasing smiles; had she not done so, Iâd be concerned that she thought I was trying to control every conversation we have.
âAmongst other valuable techniques, yes. Iâd say it pays off, wouldnât you?â
âAbsolutely. Star student.â
âSo? The beer?â
âAnd persistent,â she adds. âI have no earth-shattering reason for not ordering a beer. I simply donât want one right now. Why didnât you order one?â
âI want a clear head tonight.â
Burke studies me. âEmery.â
âBurke.â
âBrace yourself for strike two. I am so happy that our paths have crossed again.â
I can handle that. âSo am I.â
âThereâs more. Continue bracing.â That teasing smile has faded, and in its place is a serious mouth that I am finding impossible not to kiss. âI donât like to live my life with regrets. And in many ways, I think Iâve successfully lived without regrets for a long time. But now, since youâve come back into my life, I realize how much I regret not having had you in my life for all these years when I so easily could have made the effort to be in touch with you.â
Real, pure emotion stings the back of my throat and ensnares my heart. âBurke, Iââ
âIâm not done. Itâs this last part that you should really be ready for. Are you ready?â
I nod, unable to find any words.
âI want you in my life, Emery, and I fully intend on making that happen.â
I stare at her. Say something.
âI will make it happen, whether or not youâre okay with it.â The teasing smile returns, lighting up Burkeâs entire face.
I give myself a moment to formulate some kind of witty reply to level the speaking ground.
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