Page 112 of The Girl with No Name
“Yes. You will. And if not? That’s okay too. Look at me.”
She steadies her dark eyes until they’re fixed on mine. “You’re going to be fine, Luna. You know it. You’re the most resilient person I’ve known. And you’re my favorite person to be around.”
“Reed…” she mutters.
I wrap my arms around her waist, press her into the balcony, and kiss her again. The cool night breeze is a contrast to her blazing hot lips. I run my hand under her tank top and touch her flesh. Her skin feels hot to the touch.
We make out on the balcony for a while, then sit down to catch up on the past couple of weeks: Dunn and Wendy’s baby. The breakup. The show. Looking everywhere for her.
She catches me up on her life. Putting in her two weeks at her bar. Researching new places to live. Avoiding all the places she usually goes, and thinking about where to start over.
“I admit I really liked you, but I don’t get involved with guys like you.”
“What do you mean, ‘guys like me?’”
“Guys with girlfriends. And now, also, an ascending rock star. You have red flag written all over you, Reed.” A smile tugs at her lips. “I have to admit. Seeing you on stage was damn sexy, though.”
“Guess I know what I’m dressing up as for halloween next year: a human red flag. Also, the ascending rock star thing is kind of your fault.”
“My fault?!”
“You’re the one who taught me to believe in myself. And I think you sprinkled magic fairy dust on me during that full moon trip.”
She laughs and runs her hand over my cheek. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I’m just happy you hadn’t left town.”
“I was about to. You barely caught me.”
“Guess it was fate. Speaking of leaving, you want to get out of here?”
“And go where?” she asks.
“My place.”
She nods. “Yes. Let’s go.”
26
REED
“COVER ME UP” – MORGAN WALLEN
As we drive to my apartment, I realize I’ve never been so nervous to bring back a girl with me. I mean, not that I’ve ever brought a girl back with me to this apartment.
Anticipation builds as we walk up the stairs. “It’s been a while since I’ve done this,” I tell her.
“Had sex?” she asks. “Me too.”
“Well, yeah, kind of…” I shrug.
“My last relationship gave me some trust issues.”
I nod as I unlock the door and lead her by the hand to my room. “Same.”
I close the door behind us and light a candle.
“Let’s just sit on the bed and chat for a while,” I suggest. “Take it slow.”