Page 98 of Fly's Path

Parties like this aren’t your style.

My gut clenches.

LynnLeigh walks up and grabs Lola’s arm, excitedly gesturing at the party. Suzie takes her other arm, shouting something in her ear.

Then it happens. Our eyes meet.

A smile spreads across her face until realization dawns.

I’m not the man I said I was.

I lied to her.

I crushed her.

What is she going to do? If it were me, I’d confront her, then walk away.

A confrontation now wouldn’t be good. How do I spin this without giving anything away? What do I say? Whatever it is, it’s bound to crush her even more.

Someone should just take me out and shoot me.

She didn’t deserve this.

Fly warned you.

He told you to ditch her.

This will do it. She’ll never forgive me.

Will I ever forgive myself?

Losing her will crush me…

The World In My Arms

Fly

“Hardly, but I’ll accept the title of your charming prince.” How can she be so excited about such a small thing? I’ve given women diamonds and hardly seen joy like this. Yet Sheri is delighted by three little cups of chocolate milk. How would she act if I gave her diamonds?

“Good to know. What type of cookies did you get us?”

“I thought we could start with a sampler. To see which we liked better with each type of chocolate milk.” The next thing out of the cooler is a perfectly displayed platter and another thermos. “The final milk for our tasting pleasure is white chocolate.”

“You’re nothing if not thorough.” Sheri doesn’t reach for anything.

Maybe she’s waiting for me to try them first. I really don’t care about chocolate milk or cookies. But for her, I can give them a try. Food will always just be food. Well, maybe with the exception of the Cake Lady’s treats. I probably should have picked up some for this date. I reach for the milk chocolate milk glass and take a sip.

“Well, what do you think?”

The rich, sweet drink sits heavy on my tongue.

“Here, try it with a chocolate chip cookie.” She dunks one in the milk and holds it up to my lips.

The temptation is too strong for me not to kiss the tips of her fingers one by one. “Delicious.”

“I meant the cookie.” But she doesn’t move her hand.

Who would want cookies when they could be kissing you? I take a bite of the offered treat, chewing it slowly.