Chapter 20: Look as Long as You Want

Dalton stood in my kitchen with his coat on.

He hadn't touched a single thing in the room since we came in.

He hadn't sat down, or hung up his coat, or taken a glass of water from the tap.

"You're being careful," I said.

"I'm trying to do it right."

"You're being so careful you're a stranger."

"You made a rule," he said, low.

"Nothing of mine touches your life. I've been keeping it so hard I don't know where to put my hands."

I laughed, and it surprised me.

I leaned against the sink and folded my arms.

"I made that rule in this kitchen," I said. "With your buttons on my floor."

"I remember."

"Your mouth touched my life. Your hands touched my life. You stood in front of my brother with no shirt on."

I stepped closer.

"The rule was a wall, Dalton, and you've been patrolling it like a security guard."

"Susie."

"I'm throwing it back at you. The terms are over."

I held up my hand and counted on it.

"I paid in full, the check's cashed, and I owe you nothing. So I can have whatever I want."

His hands closed and opened at his sides.

"What do you want?"

"You asked me on the porch."

"I know."

"I don't want you careful."

I put my palm flat on his chest, where his heart was going hard.

"I want you to take your time."

His breath left him.

"Last time, I told you I never get to look at you for as long as I want," he said, hoarse.

"I remember."

"I'm going to look now."

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