this girl didn’t fall into the fun-and-done lifestyle I’d wanted for this year.
Now, as we pulled into the driveway of the home we shared, I knew that I’d been on the money all those years ago. What might’ve happened if I’d given in that night and kissed her as she slept? What if I’d taken her hand as we walked to the all-night coffee shop, and then kissed her full on the lips for luck the next morning when we’d gone in for our final? I was pretty sure I knew, and it was a hell of lot better than the prospect of an evening where Maureen went out on a date with another man and I sat at home, alone, waiting for my chance to tell her how I felt.
When I turned off the truck, she stirred, blinking awake. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
My lips curled into a lazy smile, and I had to sternly tell my hands to stay put and not grab her shoulders and pull her onto my lap. “Honey, you can fall asleep on me whenever you want.” I winked, and her face went pink.
“I guess I need to go inside and get ready for my date.” She didn’t move from the seat, and her tone was anything but excited.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I sat still, too, willing her to say something to me. To give me an opening I could take.
But in the end, she only sighed, reached for the door handle and slid to the ground, leaving me to bang my head against the steering wheel before I followed her into the house.
S MITH STAYED UPSTAIRS IN HIS apartment while I got ready for my date, and for that, I was extremely grateful. I wasn’t sure I could handle him standing around, offering me commentary as I figured out what to wear to go out with another man. Not when I knew, deep down inside, that I’d give almost anything to be spending the evening here with him, at home. Snuggled up in his arms as we watched a movie, or even just talked over dinner.
But instead, I slid on my favorite denim skirt, topping it with a silky tank top and stepping into black flats. I loved clothes as much as the next girl—well, maybe not every girl, but I liked to look good—and my job didn’t offer me many chances for dressing up. I made a mental note to look into better clothes if dates were going to become a regular part of my life.
I caught part of my hair back in a clip, keeping it off my face but letting the length curl around my shoulders. Standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I surveyed myself critically. My make-up was light, but it did make my eyes pop a little more, thanks to Ali’s lessons way back in high school. My cheeks had their natural pink flush, and I’d left my lips bare. Was I hoping for a kiss? I thought about that for a minute, trying to imagine how it would feel to have Tim Walker kiss me. If I were honest with myself, it didn’t excite me. Not at all.
“Looking good, Evans.” Smith lounged in the doorway of my bedroom, leaning against the jam and watching me. I met his eyes in the mirror, and if I hadn’t known better, I might’ve thought I saw a mix of frustration, irritation and . . . want?
I gave my head a little shake and turned around. I was projecting again. Fooling myself into thinking I saw what I wanted to see. That had to stop now.
“Thanks.” I forced a smile. “Now let’s just hope I don’t fall asleep in the middle of dinner.”
“Where’re you going, anyway? Kenny’s or the barbecue joint?”
I stuck out my tongue at him. “No, smartass. We’re going to the Road Block for dinner. And I guess if things go okay, maybe we’ll stay to dance. But no worries, because I’m sure Mason will be there to keep his eye on me and give Flynn a full report.”
“Oh, you’re going to Mason’s place? I met him today. He brought in a kitten his little girl found.”
“Piper conned Mason into a kitten?” I grinned. “Oh, that’s just wonderful. He’s so funny with her and with Rilla. You know, big tough guy, and those two women just have him wrapped around their little fingers. It’s
Now, as we pulled into the driveway of the home we shared, I knew that I’d been on the money all those years ago. What might’ve happened if I’d given in that night and kissed her as she slept? What if I’d taken her hand as we walked to the all-night coffee shop, and then kissed her full on the lips for luck the next morning when we’d gone in for our final? I was pretty sure I knew, and it was a hell of lot better than the prospect of an evening where Maureen went out on a date with another man and I sat at home, alone, waiting for my chance to tell her how I felt.
When I turned off the truck, she stirred, blinking awake. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
My lips curled into a lazy smile, and I had to sternly tell my hands to stay put and not grab her shoulders and pull her onto my lap. “Honey, you can fall asleep on me whenever you want.” I winked, and her face went pink.
“I guess I need to go inside and get ready for my date.” She didn’t move from the seat, and her tone was anything but excited.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I sat still, too, willing her to say something to me. To give me an opening I could take.
But in the end, she only sighed, reached for the door handle and slid to the ground, leaving me to bang my head against the steering wheel before I followed her into the house.
S MITH STAYED UPSTAIRS IN HIS apartment while I got ready for my date, and for that, I was extremely grateful. I wasn’t sure I could handle him standing around, offering me commentary as I figured out what to wear to go out with another man. Not when I knew, deep down inside, that I’d give almost anything to be spending the evening here with him, at home. Snuggled up in his arms as we watched a movie, or even just talked over dinner.
But instead, I slid on my favorite denim skirt, topping it with a silky tank top and stepping into black flats. I loved clothes as much as the next girl—well, maybe not every girl, but I liked to look good—and my job didn’t offer me many chances for dressing up. I made a mental note to look into better clothes if dates were going to become a regular part of my life.
I caught part of my hair back in a clip, keeping it off my face but letting the length curl around my shoulders. Standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I surveyed myself critically. My make-up was light, but it did make my eyes pop a little more, thanks to Ali’s lessons way back in high school. My cheeks had their natural pink flush, and I’d left my lips bare. Was I hoping for a kiss? I thought about that for a minute, trying to imagine how it would feel to have Tim Walker kiss me. If I were honest with myself, it didn’t excite me. Not at all.
“Looking good, Evans.” Smith lounged in the doorway of my bedroom, leaning against the jam and watching me. I met his eyes in the mirror, and if I hadn’t known better, I might’ve thought I saw a mix of frustration, irritation and . . . want?
I gave my head a little shake and turned around. I was projecting again. Fooling myself into thinking I saw what I wanted to see. That had to stop now.
“Thanks.” I forced a smile. “Now let’s just hope I don’t fall asleep in the middle of dinner.”
“Where’re you going, anyway? Kenny’s or the barbecue joint?”
I stuck out my tongue at him. “No, smartass. We’re going to the Road Block for dinner. And I guess if things go okay, maybe we’ll stay to dance. But no worries, because I’m sure Mason will be there to keep his eye on me and give Flynn a full report.”
“Oh, you’re going to Mason’s place? I met him today. He brought in a kitten his little girl found.”
“Piper conned Mason into a kitten?” I grinned. “Oh, that’s just wonderful. He’s so funny with her and with Rilla. You know, big tough guy, and those two women just have him wrapped around their little fingers. It’s
Similar Books
