Page 48 of Fight from the Heart

I step up to her in my living room and draw a finger along the side of her face. “Payment in kisses.” My eyes focus on her lips, licking my own, desperate for a taste of hers. She watches my tongue sneak out and retreat, and a slow blush fills her face. She is so beautiful—in sweats, in a dress, in a winter coat or without.

“I’m not certain I’m ready to make a payment yet,” she whispers, and I understand. We’ve had a good morning, but it’s not enough. I still need to apologize, but I don’t want to just toss it out there. I want to do it right with something special. A new plan for our night forms.

+ + +

My agent is a cross between Edna ‘E’ Mode and Diane Keaton, and her outstretched hand and genuine smile is the warm reception I expected her to give Pam. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to meet my Jacob’s muse.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Pam returns. We take a seat in a comfortable conference room where I’m offered a drink and decline. I ignore Pam’s head turn and surprise at my rejection of the midday scotch. The meeting quickly turns to some proposed storylines and upcoming tours before Theresa addresses Pam.

“I look forward to what you’ll do for him next.” She means my writing, but there’s an undercurrent to her words. Theresa knows Pam is very important to me.

“The creativity is all his,” Pam states, continuing to sing my praises.

“Yes, but the perfection of it is all yours,” Theresa adds.

Pam practically beams with Theresa’s words. The meeting ends quick enough, and as we haven’t had lunch, I suggest a favorite pub of mine for a burger. Emerald Isle is an Irish icon with its folksy music and female string quartet that can rock the small space on a Saturday night. It’s only Thursday, though, but the place will give off a vibe the Carter clan might appreciate outside of their weekly Town Tavern visits.

Once outside Theresa’s office, down on the busy sidewalk, I’m punching in the order for an Uber when Pam flattens herself against the building.

“I just need a minute.” Her voice cracks, and I notice her visibly shaking.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, stepping up to her, crowding her against the concrete architecture as the busyness of the sidewalk shuffles onward.

Pam holds out her trembling hands.

“Jesus, Lilac. It wasn’t anything special.”

“It was important to you,” she says. “And me. I wanted her to be proud.”

I don’t fully understand her reaction. “Theresa is proud. She knows you’re my secret weapon.” I wink at her but grasp her hands in mine, lifting them for my lips and kissing each palm. “You were wonderful in there. You made me sound like a god.”

“The one who chases after a wood nymph?” Her joke takes me a second to remember Pan and his desire for the mysterious nymph he turned into a flowering bush.

“I’ll chase you wherever you need to go,” I say, leaning closer to her, and because I can’t help myself, I kiss her. As much as I want to rush her and crush my mouth to hers, I keep it slow and tender, dragging it out as I feel her melting under my lips, relaxing into the kiss. We’re still holding hands between us but her trembling shifts from quakes of anxiety to something else. I want to explore the change, but I’m not taking advantage of her against a public building.

I pull back, and her lids lazily open. “What was that for?” she whispers.

“Found a coupon for tour services. I’m applying the discount, deducted from your overall fee.”

She giggles, shaking her head of short, loose curls. “You’re so ridiculous.”

It’s better than being an asshole, so I’ll take it.

“Change of plans for tonight. Up to spending more time alone with me?”

“What about Ethan and Ella?”

“I think they can fend for themselves.” My sister and her boyfriend need their own time to make amends with this city. If they want a dance club, and Pam doesn’t, I’m okay with that. I don’t really want to share her anyway.

“Burger?” I ask, nodding as my phone beeps that the Uber is arriving.

Pam smiles, and it’s another zap to my heart.

Chapter 18

Dancing In The Street

[Jacob]