I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

Her slender fingers caressed calluses on the tips of his before twining the two hands together. After only four hours, the gesture should have seemed odd—made him uncomfortable. But Bella was something special, something that didn't turn up just every day.

He'd had his fair share of offers from excited women willing to attach themselves to anyone close to Hayes Hawkins. Even if he'd wanted to—and he never had—he couldn't. These women expected him to make the first move, to touch strange places on their bodies in moments of forced intimacy.

The curve of Bella's hand in his was more intimate than anything he could have experienced on the road, the sway of her hips more compelling than any low-cut top or short skirt.

"Dinner?" Her voice was low, a hitch the only thing giving away her lack of confidence.

Anything. He almost said the word but nodded instead. They ducked into a small restaurant with a microbrewery attached, and he let her lead the way to a table. After a moment of deliberation, he pointed to a brown ale and smiled when she ordered the same.

"How long are you in town?"

She had the best questions. Always right to the heart and never what he expected. He'd planned for awkward small talk, during which he described his effervescent sister and loving-if-maybe-misguided parents. Instead, she wanted to know how much time she had with him. At least, that was what he hoped.

"Leave again on Thursday for the weekend. Have to be back for class on Tuesday morning. They're pretty good about my schedule."

"Of course they are. What else would they do? Hire a second-rate fiddle player?"

He warmed under her praise. Sincere, simple. She didn't gush or stumble over adjectives in an effort to impress.

The surprising questions gave way to the expected, and Edward did get a chance to mumble about his family. He also discovered she was an only child to divorced parents, with most of her mother's traits but just enough of her father's to keep her grounded.

"He's the police chief in Washington," she expounded. "Very upright and maybe a little boring. But he's also solid and sure and the best man I know."

Edward eyed her flowing top and careless hair, her colorful shoes and dangling earrings. She was anything but upright and boring, but solid and sure fit as well as her jeans.

The beer was rich and full, multiplied by three for each before they finished. Heads light, eyes glassy, they stumbled onto the sidewalk in a cloud of her giggles. Day had disappeared and left behind two paths: one to responsibility and one to bliss.

"You have class tomorrow," she stated, interpreting his suddenly sullen mood.

"It's why I'm here," he confirmed.

"And the fun must end."

Her breath, warm and sweet and malty from beer, tickled his chin and then cheek as she drew closer. Slender arms wrapped him in delicious warmth as he received the first hug he could remember that wasn't accompanied by a plastic keycard or lipsticked phone number. And he could see clearly, glasses in place, as she pressed her plump, pink lips to his scruffy cheek.

A quick turn of the head, and he'd receive heaven. He could do it. He could tilt her chin with his callused fingers and claim that warm, magical mouth.

"I'll find you," she whispered. "I promise."

And then she was gone.

I have no words. Thank you guys so much. Okay, I had some words, but that's all I know to say. Just… Thank you.

Also, someone asked where this story is set. Nashville.