Broken Promises
Page 18“My eyes are up here, Mr. Moore.” I said, barely above a whisper.
The way he was looking at me had my body kicking into over drive. I felt like I needed to step into a freezer to cool the hell off. He was about to say something when my phone rang again, making me jump. It was Keith…again.
“Shit! I need to answer this. I’m so sorry.” I said as Walker barely nodded his head.
“Um…hello?”
“Liza? Where’s the ring?” Keith’s voice sounded distant. Cold.
“Hello to you, too, Keith. I’m about to put it back on. I’m sorry. I didn’t notice it wasn’t on.”
Walker immediately looked down at my left hand. If he thought I didn’t notice his grin, he was wrong.
“If it meant anything to you, Liza, you wouldn’t forget to put it back on.”
The hurt in his voice about knocked me over. This wasn’t the person I wanted to be. Wearing one man’s ring while in love with another.
“It was a simple mistake. I’m still getting used to it.” I said as I turned away from Walker. I felt the warmth disappear as Walker walked away from me, heading outside.
Damn it. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Soon he’d be asking Jessica to marry him—I didn’t need to be worried about him hearing me talk to Keith.
“Will you put it back on before you go out tonight? And where are you going, anyway? Who’s going with you? Is Walker going out with you?”
“Liza, baby I’m sorry.” Keith said.
I glanced over and noticed that my father was watching me. “I’m with my father, remember? We’re going to a party and, yes, Walker will be there along with a number of other men. Would you like me to stay home and not go?”
“Yes.”
My heart slammed against my chest as I tried to register his response. “Excuse me?”
“I mean no. Of course not. It’s just that I know men are going to eye fuck the hell out of you in that dress. I wish I was there.”
I shook my head in disbelief and spun around to head outside for some fresh air. Opening the door, I ran smack into Walker. He took a few steps back. He must have seen the look on my face—he knew I needed air. But I felt him follow me down the porch.
“I’m with my father and…” I turned to see Walker holding up the engagement ring. My mouth went dry as he reached down for my left hand and began to slide the ring onto my finger. His jaw tightened. Without even looking at me, he turned and walked toward his truck. He got in, started it, and just sat there.
“Is the signal…can’t…hear…Liza?”
I couldn’t pull my eyes from Walker. He looked so…sad.
“The signal must be going out, Keith. I’ll call you tomorrow when we head home. Love you. Bye.”
Without even waiting for a response, I hung up. I was about to go over to Walker when everyone came out the door.
I pointed to the truck. Daddy had rented it for Walker and me to drive out here.
“You want to ride with Walker or with me?” my father asked with a slight smile.
“You,” I replied a little too quickly.
He nodded and stuck his arm out. I laced my arm through his and walked with him to the truck. It took all of my strength not to look over at Walker.
AT THE TABLE, I took another sip of whatever my father had put in front of me. Bourbon? I needed this. The more I drank, the less I felt. Walker hadn’t bothered to look my way all night. I knew I shouldn’t be disappointed. No, I didn’t feel disappointed. I felt defeated. Something caught my eye, and I looked up to see Walker dancing with some girl. My nostrils flared as I watched them. Ugh. She can’t even two-step right.
The waiter walked by and I jumped up. “I’ll take another one of…whatever this is.”
He smiled politely and said, “I’ll bring you one right away, Miss.”
I nodded. When the waiter walked away, Walker was standing there. His eyes felt like they were trying to capture my every move.
“You might want to slow down, babe,” he said.
I let out a gruff laugh. “I’m not your babe.”
He nodded. “No, you’re not.”
He held out his hand. I stared at it as if he was offering something offensive. But when I looked into his eyes, they softened.
“Dance with me, Liza.”
My head was telling me not to take his hand, but my heart seemed to be running the show. I placed my hand in his and Walker took us out onto the dance floor. I took deep breaths, preparing to be close to his body. When I woke this morning to find that Walker had held me all night, I was so pissed that I’d fallen asleep so fast. I’d slept the best I’d slept in months, and I knew why. I was in the arms of the man I’d loved since childhood.
Walker spun me around once and pulled me to him as I laughed.
“Do you remember how good we were together?” He said. When I made a face, he quickly blurted, “I mean how good we danced together.”
I looked away as I nodded. “I remember,” I said, biting the inside of me cheek.
Hunter Hayes song “Storyline” was playing. Walker put his hand on my neck, pulling me closer as we took off two-stepping. It didn’t take long for us to fall back into sync. I saw my father talking to a few older men. He did a double-take when he saw Walker and me. I gave him a quick wave. He smiled and waved back. Then it happened. The fast song stopped, and a slow song began to play. The heavens were not on my side, it seemed.
Jessie Ware’s “Say You Love Me” began playing and Walker held me closer to him. I buried my face in his chest. I couldn’t bear the thought of looking at him. His touch alone was beginning to bring my defenses down. Keith. I’m engaged to Keith. Well…not really. I haven’t said yes.
Walker moved his hand softly up and down my back. I sucked in a breath as the craziest feelings zipped through my body. I’d never really gotten over Walker. I’d just pushed my feelings down for so long, convincing myself that I was okay.
I pulled back and looked into Walker’s eyes. It was as if the entire room disappeared and it was just the two of us. He gently placed his hand on the side of my face.