...I expected Jenna and Dale to be home when we got back, but their cars weren’t in the driveway. Her note had said they would be late, but I had no idea what that meant. Luke shut off his engine, but neither of us made any move to get out of the car.

“Well, thanks for dinner, Luke. It was good to see you again.”

“Yeah, you, too, Derek. You know, I’ve dreaded the idea of seeing you again for so long, I thought I’d never be able to handle it. Turns out I was wrong. Very wrong.”

“You weren’t alone. I honestly hoped I wouldn’t see you while I was back. I guess it’s just lucky I ended up at Maxwell’s, huh?”

Luke shifted on the bench seat, his hand resting just next to mine on the vinyl. It was dark and quiet and I could hear every little noise. When Luke tapped the gas pedal with his boot, I immediately picked up the rhythm. He turned to look at me, but I couldn’t make out his face.

“Every time I come by this house, I have a strange desire to climb that tree and knock on your window. Old habits die hard. When I heard you were here, I almost did it.”

“I probably would have died from fright. I don’t know if my heart could take the shock anymore.”

“Would you have let me in, if I had?”

“Uh, well, I think it would be rude to leave a guest outside in a tree.”

Luke chuckled and his hand slid a bit closer. I felt his pinky and ring finger brush against me, but I didn’t pull away. He kept going and increased the contact until his whole hand was on top of mine. I hadn’t held hands with anyone since Luke. It was the kind of thing you lost when you snuck around with your boss and slept with guys who barely believed in kissing. His thumb slid back and forth, caressing my skin gently. The seat creaked as he moved, and my heart rate rose as he got nearer.

“Luke, I really am sorry, you know. I was a stupid kid. I know that now.”

“I’m sorry, too. Do you ever wonder how things could’ve turned out if I’d gone with you to Austin?”

His words surprised me. My body inched closer to him and I decided to tell Luke the truth. “All the time. Owning a ranch was your dream. I mean it still is your dream, right?”

“Some dream. Fat lot of good it’s done me all these years. Here I am, in exactly the same place you left me. You’re on your way, Derek. I’m treading water.”

“Don’t say that. I’m sure it’ll all work out. Besides, I wouldn’t say I’m a success. I’m not exactly on the right track at the moment. Sometimes, I have no idea how I got where I am.”

Luke squeezed my hand, and a rush of blood shot to my cock. It was my turn to move a few inches; the whole truck creaked as I did. He moved his touch to my knee, and we soon ran out of space between us.

“Luke, I should go inside.”

“Don’t. Stay a little longer. We could go for a drive or something.”

“I have to be up early tomorrow.”

“Oh, yeah. What for? I thought you were on a break from all that work stuff.”

His hand moved higher, and I didn’t stop him. We stared at each other, our faces close enough to do much more. I wanted to kiss him. I couldn’t even remember the last time I had; too many years had gone by. Luke licked his lips, and my mouth fell open to let out a sigh.

“Luke, we shouldn’t. Right?”

“You’re probably right. But how come I really want to?”