Painted Memories (9 page)

The ride back was awkward, at least for me. Drew tried to carry on a conversation as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, and I wasn't even sure I heard much of it. My mind kept replaying the moment he kissed me... twice. It may have been brief, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. When we pulled up at the apartment complex, I jumped out the car and wasted no time hurrying up the front walkway. Drew quickly caught up and we walked together down a short hallway until we came to the stairway of the second floor. I didn't know how long, if ever, it would take for me to act normal around him again. Drew carried on without a problem, but considering I didn't even know he liked me, everything seemed weird now. 

“Thanks for coming along. I expected a lot of running around and coming home empty-handed. It was a good day.
A
very
good day.” He grinned.

I didn't know if by “good” day he meant scoring a studio or scoring an unexpected kiss. And now, the awkward feeling was back. I stepped away from the staircase. “Yeah, thanks for inviting me, I had a good time. Playing piano again was definitely a pleasant surprise,” I said, thinking to myself,
along with a few other things
.

“It was beautiful. I'd like to hear you play again sometime.”

I thought about it. I wasn't sure I wanted to, although it felt like I hadn’t missed a day of practice and instantly made me feel better than I had in years. But I decided I shouldn’t make any commitments to play again, in case I couldn’t bring myself to do it. “Maybe,” I said. Drew gave me a half-hearted smile as if he understood. “Well, I better go. Let me know on Monday what happens with the studio offer, okay?”

“I sure will. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

In a way, I was glad to go home. I wanted to sit down, close my eyes, and think about everything that happened. The hardest part was figuring out what I really wanted. For far too long, I only did what I thought I
needed
to do. Maybe it was time for a change.

It was nearly six-thirty as I waited for Tyler to pick me up on an unexpected second date. I assumed we wouldn't go out again until next weekend, since he did show interest in having a second date. I had a great time at the cove the day before; but was shocked when he called not long after I returned from studio-hunting with Drew. I sat on the couch and waited for Tyler, trying my best to block the drifting images of Drew and me. I wanting to give Tyler my full attention and the chance he deserved. Eyeing the clock, it was after six-thirty and I picked up my phone to check for any missed calls that might have come while I was getting dressed. If he got lost, he didn't call or leave a message. I remembered my keys that were lost earlier when Drew picked me up, and which I tore the house up looking for. Somehow, they ended up under the couch. I found them just in time, because ten minutes later, a knock rapped on my door. I sprung it open. “Oh, there you are. I was thinking you got—.”

My mouth hung open in total surprise to see Drew standing in front of me. “What are you doing here?” I demanded as I peered around him.

His eyes narrowed and he followed my gaze. “Oh, you were expecting someone else, I take it?”

“And if I were?”

“You seem a little paranoid, that's all.”

“I am not paranoid,” I replied, my hand on my hip, feeling aggravated now. I heard footsteps approaching and silently cursed to myself.

“Lilly? Oh, finally! I got all turned around in this place,” Tyler said as he walked up beside me. He glanced at Drew before kissing me on the cheek. “Sorry I'm late.”

I was speechless, with my mouth hanging open as I looked from Drew to Tyler and they appraised each other. I had no doubt Drew knew this was the guy I mentioned earlier, but what did Tyler know?
Nothing. Leave it to a guy to assume more was going on than met the eye. Typical... and men thought women were bad. Yeah, right.

“Tyler this is Drew, my upstairs neighbor and co-worker.” Drew's eyes squinted slightly at the introduction. “And Drew, this is Tyler, my... date for the night.” They offered each other tight-lipped smiles before nodding politely.

“Lilly, we had better head out before we miss the movie.”

“Oh, right, don't let me hold you two up. Lilly, I want to give you back your sweater and sunglasses; you left them in my car this afternoon.”

He handed them over and I forced a grateful smile. I didn't even notice he was holding them in his hand. But could it not have waited until Monday? “Thanks Drew. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. Enjoy your night.” He put his hands in his jeans pocket, then turned and walked away.

I looked at Tyler and moved to open my door. “Let me put this up and grab my—.”

“Oh, Lilly, I forgot,” Drew called from behind me. He pulled his hand from his pocket, bringing out a tube, wrapped with a red label. Walking closer to me, he said, “You're going to need this.”
Then he dropped his voice lower “for the lunch date I owe you.  A deal’s a deal.” He winked at me with a smirk and walked away without another word.

Sneaking a look in my hand, I read the label on the tube and felt the temperature rise twenty degrees in my cheeks.

Strawberry ChapStick.

I didn't even look at Tyler. I couldn’t bear to see his reaction, if he had one. Instead, I slipped the tube in my pocket and grabbed my purse from the kitchen counter before throwing the sweater on the couch. “Sorry about the delay. Are we still going to have time to see the movie?” I asked, pulling the door shut.

“I don't know,” he said, looking at his watch. “It's already ten to seven. If I hadn't gotten all turned around coming here, I would've been here sooner. We might miss the previews, but that’s probably all.”

“Oh, I don't care about that. I'm starved.” Remembering how things ended at the studio, lunch was the last thing on my mind. Up until that moment, I didn't even realize I was hungry.

“We can grab a quick bite to eat somewhere. Where would you like to go?”

Tyler rested his hand on my lower back as we walked through the courtyard to his truck. “You decide,” I said. “Take me someplace I haven't been before.”

Opening the truck door, he watched and waited as I hopped into my seat. “I think I can do that, but we'll miss the previews for sure.”

“Not a problem,” I assured him. “In fact, we can skip it all together; it doesn't make a difference to me.”

After about a twenty-minute drive, we ended up at Tacos and More, a Mexican restaurant. By its name alone, I was convinced it was one of those hole-in-the-wall places. Tyler told me not to let the outside deceive me, because they had authentic Mexican cuisine, from the various species of cacti to the iron-framed, pebbled-rock tabletops. “Will we have enough time if we eat here?” I asked, opening the car door.

“Don't!” he yelled.

My eyes widened, surprised by his unexpected outburst. “What? What's wrong?”

“This is a date, I'm supposed to be the gentleman here... I'll open the door for you.”

“Seriously, it's the twenty-first century. I think I can manage,” I said sarcastically. I couldn't believe his tone. It was unexpected so I took a breath and reminded myself that I'd been out of practice for quite some time. Maybe I needed to freshen up on the rules of dating again. Apparently, I'd forgotten most of them.

We took our seats and gave the waiter our drink orders. “Their service is excellent, so depending on how long it takes to eat, we should be in and out.”

I sat across from him, finally having the time to take in his appearance while he studied the menu. His black Polo shirt fit loosely over his chest, and I could only imagine what lay hidden beneath it. His sleeves were tight around his large biceps and I couldn't deny I wanted to know what it felt like to have them wrapped around me. A girl could dream, right?

Tyler caught me staring over the top of his menu and smiled. “They seem a bit busy, and I'm not sure we'll be out in time.”

“Well, we don't have to go to a movie tonight. Maybe another night?” I suggested, giving him an option for a third date.

“Absolutely.
Anything else you have in mind for tonight?”

From what I had running through my head,
that
was a loaded question. Kissing those lips seemed to be all I could think about, which meant going to a movie wouldn't be such a good idea. I'd hate to revert to my teenage years and spend ten dollars just to make out. “How about bowling? I completely suck, but I'm sure you'll get a good laugh out of it.”

He grinned, and his wide smile and perfect teeth illuminated
his face. “Oh, that sounds fun. We both can suck and laugh together then. I haven't been bowling in a long time.”

“Great, then we don't have to hurry through this dinner. Maybe I'll order a margarita.”

“Yes, please do. That will make bowling so much more interesting.”

It was a little before eleven when we pulled back into my apartment complex. I waited for Tyler to come around and help me out of the truck, since his complaint about me not doing so at the restaurant. He was worried about not looking like a gentleman, whatever that meant. Apparently, he was a bit confused on the gentlemen part since he failed to hold the door open at the restaurant, or wait for me to take my seat. Normally, these things would not have stood out to me, but considering the comment he made, I thought it better if I wait in the car. It helped that I could probably use a sturdy hand getting out. Tyler bought me a couple of beers while we were bowling. Not my drink of choice, but I didn't want to turn them down when he already paid for them. I stopped him from buying a third, because two beers and a margarita at the restaurant were making me a bit wobbly... and giggly.

We held hands as he walked me to my door, where a white piece of paper taped on it caught my attention. Seeing Drew's name at the bottom, without reading it, I pulled it off the door and stuffed it into my purse.

“Aren't you even going to read it?” Tyler asked.

“I did. It was a note from a friend who came by while I was out. I'll call her tomorrow. You want to come in for a few minutes?” I asked, trying to change the subject. Of course, I didn't read it. I assumed it was another snarky comment and I didn't see the need in aggravating my annoyance by reading it.  Already pissed at his previous comment, there was no way I would bring him up to Tyler. It would be my luck that he'd start asking questions... questions I didn't
have answers for. I jiggled the lock. Damn key! It never worked when I wanted it to.

“Here, let me try,” Tyler said just as the lock cooperated and opened.

“Got it!” I exclaimed as I stepped in and threw my bag on the counter. “Have a seat,” I said, walking into the kitchen and pulling a glass from the cabinet. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“No, thanks.”

Filling a glass with tap water, I gulped it down in an effort to wash away my tipsy personality. I walked to the couch and settled next to Tyler, who was sitting comfortably with his arm thrown across the back. Slipping my sandals off next to the coffee table, I tucked one leg underneath me before sitting down next to him. I suppose I was not as close as he hoped, but he smiled and patted my knee.

“I had a great time tonight,” he said as his hand slipped an inch past my knee.

“I did too. Thank you for calling me. I wasn't expecting to go out again until this weekend.”

Twirling his finger over my thigh, he circled my skin as he moved up my leg to the hem of my shorts. My heart rate increased, but I kept my breathing even. I didn't want him to see how much his simple touch affected me. He seemed to have a thing for my thigh. That's where his hands stayed every chance he could get while we were bowling. Not that I minded too much. I caught many women eyeing him while we were out, and I couldn't deny it felt good to be the one getting all the attention.

With his arm behind me, I felt his fingers pull though my hair before brushing against the back of my neck. He leaned forward, his big, brown eyes droopy with lust.

“I couldn’t wait for this weekend. A woman like you is hard to resist,” he said, sliding his fingertips under the hem of my shorts.

His hand cupped around the back of my neck and he leaned in, kissing me on the lips. Slipping further up my leg, his hand moved between my thighs and I gasped slightly at his boldness. Taking advantage of my unguarded desire, he pressed harder against my mouth, pushing his tongue between my lips. Slowly at first, our tongues rubbed together in unison until I got lost in the moment. After not being in a relationship for so long, it felt good to be desired and I slid my hands up his chest. It was every bit as firm and chiseled as I imagined. When his firm hand slipped under the hem of my shirt, I sucked in a sharp breath. He groaned against my mouth and pulled me tighter against his chest.  His tongue became too possessive in my mouth, and I felt exhausted trying to keep up with the rhythm of his. I pushed at his shoulders, suddenly feeling smothered by him. My push wasn't enough to break his hold on me and I tried again with more force before I finally tore my lips away from his.

“Whoa, we need to stop,” I said, out of breath.

“What? Why? What's the matter?” he asked, confused.