Sweetheart || BBANGSAZ

12. Run Away With Me, Sweetheart

I caught up with everyone, even Chuck, sittin' there like we hadn't missed a beat. The bar was loud—music thumpin', people laughin', but my eyes kept driftin' back to Kim, who was sittin' across from me at the counter. She had her legs crossed, her arms restin' on the bar, lookin' relaxed but alert, like she always did.

"So," I said, leanin' forward a bit, tryin' to catch her eye, "you got the bar back, huh?"

She tilted her head, smirkin', her fingers drumming softly on the counter. "And you kept the jacket," she replied, her eyes flicking down to the leather jacket I was wearin'. Her jacket.

I grinned, shrugging. "And you're... better," I added, my voice softening. She raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "You're smilin' more," I said, watchin' her face closely. She furrowed her brow at first, like she wasn't sure what I meant, then she looked away bashfully, a small smile playin' on her lips.

Her body language shifted, almost like she was fightin' off whatever emotion was tryin' to bubble up. "What happened while you were gone?" I asked, my voice low, the question hangin' heavy in the air. My eyes stayed on her, searchin' her face, but she just sighed.

"I'll tell ya everything later," she said, her voice softer, like she wasn't quite ready to dig into it. There was a hint of something in her tone—maybe regret, maybe relief. I couldn't tell.

I blinked, noddin' even though I wanted more. "What have you been doin'?" she asked then, leanin' forward on her elbows, her eyes bright with curiosity.

I started talkin', tellin' her everything. About the job, about how Brody can't tell a coffee brush from a toilet brush 'cause he's colorblind. As I spoke, she listened, her expression focused, brows knitted together in concentration like she was hangin' on every word. I couldn't help but laugh, "I mean, if he's colorblind, why is he workin' in a coffee shop?"

She chuckled, her laugh warm and familiar. "I dunno," she said, shakin' her head, her smile wide.

That sound—her laugh—hit me like a freight train. I froze for a second, my grin softening as I watched her, really watched her. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her lips curling into that perfect smile. It'd been too long since I heard that sound, and I realized how much I missed it. How much I missed her.

"You don't know how much I've missed you," I whispered, my voice low and barely audible over the noise of the bar. For a second, I wondered if she even heard me with all the commotion goin' on around us—people shoutin', bottles clinkin', the jukebox hummin' in the background.

But then she leaned in closer, her eyes lockin' on mine, her voice soft but strong. "I reckon I've missed you more," she said, her words full of meaning, a small, playful smirk on her lips.

I scoffed, leanin' back with a grin. "Is that a challenge?" I asked, arching an eyebrow, my heart poundin' a little harder.

She shrugged, her eyes glintin' with mischief.

Before I could say anything else, Emily burst through the crowd, shoutin', "Hey, who's up for some karaoke!" The whole place erupted into cheers, and I saw Kim glance toward the stage, her lips twistin' into an amused smile.

I stood up, stretchin' my arms out like I was gettin' ready for a fight. "Challenge accepted," I said, flashin' Kim a grin as I slid off the stool. My boots hit the floor with a thud as I made my way over to Emily. She was already holdin' out the mic, her eyes sparklin' with excitement.

I grabbed the mic, turnin' back toward Kim with a wink. "Watch and learn," I said, my voice drippin' with confidence, though my heart was racin' faster than I'd admit.