Saturday night went precisely as he predicted: “Allison’s” bar was bustling with people: screaming to get their orders as fast as possible; loud music blaring; cheering; teasing; and even some flirting. As usual, Jake was not in the mood. He paid no attention to any of those signals, with the image of Holly’s angry face still lingering in his mind. His behavior had pushed her away from him. Not only had he lost a potential girlfriend, but, judging by the look in her eyes, he had also lost the only woman willing to assist him. However, finding an employee was perhaps the least of his troubles. Jake had been doing this for far too long; he was used to the workload and he could handle it. The only thing missing from his life was a woman’s touch and he had managed to discourage the one woman who seemed genuinely interested in him.

Long after midnight, he closed his bar and drove home, with a buzzing sensation in his head and a heart full of regret. Just when he turned into his driveway, though, he realized that it was not empty. Holly’s Ford was parked right outside his front door. She was standing next to it, with her arms crossed over her chest. His eyes glimmered in hope; yet, as his SUV rolled to a halt behind her car, his heart was filled with worry. The moonlight reflecting off her golden skin revealed her face. Much to his disappointment, it was stiffer than ever.

“Hi,” he said, getting out of his car. “What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to get a few things off my chest,” Her sweet, feminine voice had vanished. Instead, her tone was strict, as if she was about to reprimand him.

“You can yell at me,” Jake spoke in a soft, deep voice, slowly closing the distance between them. “I deserve it.”

“I’m not going to yell at you,” Holly continued. “It’s the last thing you need right now. Look…” She took a deep breath. “I’ve come to apologize for this morning. I’m sorry; I snapped at you.”

“You’re sorry?” He squinted at her. “Girl, I’m the one who should apologize to you. I messed up… again.”

“Jake, you’ve been through hell,” she said, her tender tone raising every hair on his body, as he stopped in front of her. “I can’t imagine the pain you’re in, but…” Her voice broke, as she covered her mouth with her hand. Jake smiled down at her, his heart beating faster as he raised his own hand to her face. He gently pulled her hand away from her face, then taking it into his palm, as he bent his head down towards her.

“I need you,” he confessed, his voice a sweet whisper as he gazed down deep into her watery eyes. “And last night…? I haven’t felt like that in a long time.”

“Do you really mean that?” She asked, her voice trembling as he tightened his hold on her hand. Jake did not verbalize. Instead, he raised his hand to her face and cupped her cheek, tilting his head down. Her warm, loving kiss made his heart flutter, as she put her arms around his waist. Jake released her hand and chose to slide his own up her arm, sensing her hot breath on his skin. He stopped it at her shoulder and then pulled her closer, before running his hand across it and up her neck. Cupping her other cheek as well, he stroked her face, as their kiss deepened, her soft sighs making his body tingle. Jake’s hands slid up and into her hair, as he planted one last kiss on her lower lip.

“Here’s your answer,” he whispered, leaning back, as he threaded his fingers into her hair.

“Wow…” she silently mouthed to him. “Please, don’t say ‘goodnight’ again.”

“I’m afraid I have to,” he spoke in his deep, manly voice. “I’m so tired I can barely walk.”

“Oh, no…” Holly let out a huff of exasperation. “I think I’m having a déjà vu.”

“Don’t be silly, darling,” Jake teased. “This is nothing like last night.”

“We kiss and I get to sleep alone.” A long, deep sigh escaped her. “How is it any different?”

“Well…” Jake snorted. “I could say a lot of things about last night. That kiss was just…” he faltered, “out of this world; but, it wasn’t the best thing about it.”

“What do you mean?” She wondered, as her face was lit up with a broad smile.

“The terrace,” he was quick to respond. “What you did up there was pretty amazing.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Holly said, her sweet tone filling his ears once again, as he ran his fingers through her hair.

“Trust me.” Jake nodded. “You did more than enough.”

“So, now what, Mr.?” she asked, using a mellow tone. “Are we going to keep seeing each other in parking lots and driveways? How about going on a real date?”

“The bar’s closed tomorrow night.” He informed her with a devilish smile on his face. “Come over after your shift. I’ll cook. What time do you get off?”

“8pm; sounds delicious.” Holly’s toothy grin amused him. “I guess this is ‘goodnight’ then.”

“Not really,” Jake disagreed, pulling her head closer to him. Once again, he claimed her lips, as a gasp of surprise escaped her. Running his hands down her hair, he drowned in her scent, losing himself in the magic of her gentle, passionate kiss, as she flexed her arms around him. This time, her grip was much stronger than before. Jake stroked her upper back, his heart pounding in his chest. Before long, he understood that this could get out of hand. As much as he wanted to have her, he was exhausted. Gently pushing her back, he ended their kiss.

“This is ‘goodnight’,” he whispered, as she opened her eyes. “Sweet dreams, Holly.”