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“I’m so sorry.” His brows creased, and he stared at their intertwined hands. Brushing his fingertips over the back of her hand, he said, “I get it now. I can understand what you were trying to do.”
She placed her free hand over his, drawing his focus. “You don’t have to apologize. If I hadn’t gone through any of that, I wouldn’t have met you.” Emma leaned closer to him and brushed a kiss to his lips. The old, familiar thrill shot through her and the warmth flickered to life. When she pulled back, he smiled. It wasn’t one that reached his eyes. There was still a sadness—or maybe it was something deeper. There was no way of telling until he chose to share it with her.
Leaning against him once more, she let out a contented sigh. “You know what I want to do?”
“What’s that?” Caleb released her hand and draped it around her shoulder. His fingers trailed up and down her arm, painting new goosebumps along her skin.
“We should find an ice cream shop.”
He chuckled. “It’s the end of September. You’d be better off looking for something warm.”
“Then a hotdog. I could really go for one of those with mustard and sweet relish.” She craned her neck around to peek at him, still reeling from the reality of what had taken place. If she were to die right here, right now, she would die happy. She’d done what she’d come here to do—sing his song and tell him that she was in love. Nothing could be better than this.
“Then let’s find us some hotdogs.”
“But we’re going to the hotel,” Charlie reminded them.
Caleb gave his little sister a look that only an older brother could give.
Emma laughed. “How about anyone who wants a hot dog can get out when we find one. Then the rest of us will be taken to the hotel, and we’ll all meet up there?”
Even Charlie couldn’t argue with that. They drove for several miles until they reached the heart of the city and Emma had the limo pull to a stop. When Caleb glanced out the window, he frowned. “I think you might be confused. That’s a taco truck.”
She pushed the door open and tugged him to come outside with her. “Tacos. Hot dogs. Either way, I get to eat.”
Caleb laughed, and she ducked her head back inside. Her eyes shifted from Jessica to Charlie to Carter.
“Anyone else want to join us?”
They all shook their heads.
“Your loss.” She shut the door, reaching for Caleb’s hand as the limo pulled away.
“How close is your hotel?”
“Only about two blocks from here. The driver will drop them off and Jessica can let them in. I figure we’ll have about twenty minutes to ourselves.”
Caleb’s flirtatious look only added to his husky voice. “I can think of a lot we can do in twenty minutes.”
She flushed, unable to respond except to stand on her toes and kiss him. This one was deeper than the one in the limo. She slipped her hands around his neck and clung to him like it could be the last kiss they shared. Everything in her being wanted to revel in this moment—memorize it so she never forgot it. From this point forward, her life had two directions. She could continue on a path with him, or without him.
If it was up to her, she’d never risk losing him again.
“What can I get you two?” A gruff voice broke through their kiss, and Emma laughed as she pulled away. The man’s eyes bugged out of his head, and he leaned through the small window. “You’re Emma Hart. Didn’t you have a concert tonight?”
She nodded. “I did.”
“My wife and daughter went to see it! They’re going to be so mad when they hear that you came to our truck tonight. Can I get a picture with you?”
Emma gave Caleb a quick look and nodded. “Of course. Anything for a fan.”
He fumbled with his phone and held it out to her to take a selfie with him in the background. She took a few different ones, then handed the phone back. He flipped through the pictures, a wide smile on his face. Shaking his head, he chuckled. “They’re never going to believe this.” His eyes darted down to her once more. “What can I get for you? It’s on the house.”
She shook her head. “Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m more than happy?—”
“My pleasure.” He gestured to the menu. “Anything you want.”
Emma felt Caleb’s arm take position around her waist, and she leaned into him again. She would never tire of his touchor his warm presence. “I’d like two carne asada street tacos, please.”
