Drake clears his throat to knock me from that lost cause. An awkward minute has undoubtedly ticked by while I shamefully ogled him. Based on the curve of his smirk, he doesn’t seem to mind the attention.
It’s only then I recall he had said something that resembled a question. Maybe. One fact sticks out in the lustful fog my brain has become.
“You remember me?”
The notion is more presumptuous than I’d ever give myself credit for. I haven’t seen Drake since we were teenagers. Not only that but he went on to become a famous athlete who’s undoubtedly met more people than I can count.
His gaze heats on mine. “As if I’d ever forget my first kiss.”
I feel my eyes bulge. “We were just kids.”
“Doesn’t make it any less meaningful.” Drake’s blatant interest roves over me. “So?”
“Buttons,” I reply automatically.
“What?” His laugh is rich and bolder than the coffee aroma wafting around the cafe.
My cheeks get warm while fellow Bean Me Up patrons send us curious glances. “It’s just this silly retort my grandma used to toss out whenever someone used ‘so’ as a full sentence.” I chew on my bottom lip at his look of confusion. “Because you sew buttons on stuff…”
“Ah.” He nods.
My face flames hotter. “Told you it was silly.”
“I like it.” Drake’s shrug is carefree. “But what I’d like more is to know if your last name is still Brooks.”
“Is that your not-so-subtle way of asking if I’m married?”
“Can you blame me? You look…” His throat works hard to finish the statement. “Better than faded memories.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?”
His eyes remain glued on my curvy waist. “Definitely. Why didn’t we ever date?”
I squint at him. “Probably because you transferred to Edina before ninth grade.”
“Great decision for baseball,” he muses. “Not so great for us.”
“As if you have any regrets.”
He’s quiet for a pregnant pause. “Would you believe me if I said I think about you often?”
Flutters erupt in my stomach, but I can’t allow myself to get swept away in a long-lost fantasy. “Probably not.”
“It’s true, Cassidy…”
“Brooks,” I relent. “Never been married.”
Drake’s stare hasn’t wavered. “Me either.”
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