Page 77 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“What are you studying?” Jeremy asks, stopping to take a sip of his drink.

“Fashion design.”

“That’s cool. That explains the matching outfits. You two look amazing in those dresses.”

Atta boy, Jeremy.

“Thank you. I’ve loved designing clothes ever since I was a kid. My grandma taught me how to sew, and by ten I was designing my first outfit.”

“Holy shit. Really? That’s young.”

“Yeah. I needed a distraction, and sewing helped me cope with a lot of shit,” she says before taking a long sip of her drink.

I recognize that look. It’s the same one Jeremy gets when anything reminds him of his mother.

“I understand that more than you know,” he says softly as he places a hand on her back.

She seems to soften at the touch. I wrap my arm back around Willow’s shoulders and pull her closer. She melts into me while sipping on one of the shakes. Her eyes are closed, and she’s just enjoying the music playing from the other side of the bar.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” I ask her.

“What?” she asks, breaking out of the music trance.

“I was just wondering what you were doing tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow’s Sunday? Um…I don’t think I have anything going on. Do we, Jenna?”

“I have to work in the morning.”

“Shit, that’s right. What time is it?”

“Almost ten,” Jeremy says as he grabs his phone. “Yep, nine forty-three.”

“Damn. We might have to get going soon. Don’t you open?” Willow asks Jenna.

“It’s fine. I’ve worked a shift on only two hours of sleep. I’ll be fine,” she says, but the last word is followed by a small yawn.

“How about we finish up, and I can drive you two home?” I ask.

“Um…I know what you drive, Noah. You can’t fit multiple people in that thing,” Willow says, nudging me, but I just pull her closer.

“I have a different vehicle tonight.”

“Oh, what fancy sports car did you drive tonight?”

“I drove my truck.”

“You have a truck too?” she asks, stunned.

“Yep. I also have a boat and jet skis. And quads.”

“You must really like the great outdoors.”

“I do. It’s my favorite place to be. I’m thinking about buying some property up north.”

“Really? Where at?” she asks.

“Just up in the thumb.”