Where You Left Me, Volume 4 by Dani Bannister

Author:Dani Bannister
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Danielle Bannister
Published: 2023-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

11. Sparks

After dropping such big truth bombs about our pasts and our collective hurts, the rest of the conversation at lunch was light. Playful, and soothing. No one was pushing anyone into anything before they were ready. It was simply two people having adult conversations with no strings attached. Being with Joe was easy. Calming. Grounding. Steady. Exactly what I needed.

“I hate to break this up, but I have to get back to the worksite,” Joe said after he’d polished off his last fry. “I’d like to hang out with you later tonight if you’re game? Maybe we could order some pizza and watch some movies?”

“Netflix and chill?” I smirked.

His eyes widened. “No, no I wasn’t implying sex—”

I laughed, which surprised me. “I know. I was kidding. A movie night in sounds perfect.”

“Cool. My place or yours?”

“Considering the place I’m temporarily staying at doesn’t have a TV, yours is probably best.”

I could feel my stomach knotting at the reality of still needing a place to stay again. I couldn’t crash at Shawn’s forever. I didn’t care if I could stay there rent-free for as long as I wanted. That was just it. I didn’t want to be there. Not without Shawn. There were too many memories. He’d already ruined Chinese food and recliners for me. It seemed everywhere I turned, there were reminders of him. The sooner I got free of his house, the better.

Joe drove me home and walked me to the front door. He didn’t try to kiss or hug me, but instead, he gave my hand a light squeeze. “See you tonight. At six.”

“Sounds good,” I said. And I meant it. He smiled at me and headed down the walkway. I watched him for a moment, noting his ass wasn’t as tight as Shawn’s. But that was a good reminder. He wasn’t Shawn. I had to stop looking for him everywhere I went. I had to stop chasing ghosts.

Turning toward the house, I looked briefly at the camera.

“Goodbye,” I whispered. I closed my eyes and lowered my head.

A second later, hands were around my waist turning me around, and pulling me into a kiss. For a second, I was disoriented. The lips on mine weren’t the ones I knew intimately. They were thinner than Shawn’s. There was stubble on his chin where Shawn had always been smooth and clean-shaven. It scratched in a way I couldn’t tell if it was pleasant or not.

Joe pulled away then, his eyes on the ground as his hands dug into my hips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that without asking. I just really hated leaving you.”

I looked at him, not quite sure what to say. “You’re going to see me tonight.”

His hands pulled me closer. “It’s not soon enough.”

I was conflicted. On the one hand, it was nice having someone missing me. To have someone desire me. On the other hand, his kiss had generated no sparks. Only confusion. But maybe that was as it should be. I wasn’t looking for a whirlwind romance.

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