Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 84952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 425(@200wpm)___ 340(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Really?”
He nods. “Yeah. I’ll get to give you the inquisition on the way home.”
My cheeks split into a smile.
“That’s the difference between us. I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” I tell him. “I’m an open book. I want you to be sure you’re on a fake date with a nice person.”
“You don’t think I’m nice?” he jokes.
“You’ll do.”
He chuckles as we pull onto my street. He pulls up in front of my house and kills the engine like he’s done it a million times before.
“Wait,” he says as I reach for the handle.
I stop and turn to see him watching me.
“You’re right,” he says. “It’s not fair to lump you in with everyone else. Not all the way, anyway.”
I smile. “Thank you. I shouldn’t have to pay the price for some other woman’s sins,” I say politely. “Can I ask you a question now?”
“No.”
I pout.
He laughs as he climbs out of the car.
I noticed at the Landry’s that Hollis was irritated that I didn’t let him open my door. I’m not used to that kind of thing from guys, so it didn’t even cross my mind. But now I sit and wait for him to jog around the front of the Mustang and do me the honors.
“Thank you,” I tell him as I get out.
“You’re very welcome.” He shuts the door. “Thank you for going with me tonight.”
“You’re very welcome. It almost feels like a real date with the door opening finale.”
He shakes his head as we make our way up the sidewalk.
“I liked it. It was a good move,” I tell him just to keep the mood light.
With every step we take, my heart starts to beat faster. The closer we get to the door, the more I begin to panic about what to do internally. Light mood or not, things are about to get tricky.
Do I invite him in? Do I want him to come in? What does it mean if I invite him in?
Can I just admit I want to have sex with him?
No, no, don’t do that. It’s just the first date.
It’s not even a real date!
I sneak a peek at him.
But he’s so freaking hot.
We make it to the doorstep before I can come to grips with my feelings.
Hollis stands next to me with his hands shoved in his pockets. His hair lays against his forehead as he watches me dig through my purse for my keys.
His cologne envelops me in my small porch as I push the key into the lock. It turns, and I push the door open.
“Do you want to come inside?” I ask, hoping he can’t hear the slight quiver in my voice.
I’m still unsure what I want him to do. It’s a split decision. My brain knows it’s not a good idea, but my body is in strong disagreement.
He smiles. “No. I gotta get going.”
Relief coupled with disappointment rolls through me. I don’t know which is stronger.
“Big plans tonight?” I joke.
“Yeah. I gotta call River and check on his mom.”
I furrow my brow. “What’s wrong with River’s mom, and who is River?”
“River’s my best friend, and his mom has cancer. He’s been pretty fucked up about it, as you can imagine. ”
My heart sinks in my chest. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll say a prayer for her tonight.”
“Thanks.” Surprise riddles his voice. “And thank you again for going with me tonight.”
“I was happy to do it.”
We watch each other. The air between us changes. There’s a current swishing back and forth—pushing me and pulling me toward him and away again.
I should just let him go and not say anything else. I shouldn’t make this complicated or personal. But I can’t help but want to ease the uncertainty present in his eyes.
“I know, or I expect, that you’ll go back to your hotel and replay the conversations from tonight and wonder if you said the right things.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Or I assume you’ll do that. Do guys do that? Girls totally do.”
He nods. “Yeah. We do. Probably worse than you.”
“I don’t know. I’m great at it,” I scoff. “Anyway, I just want to tell you that you did great. Lincoln and Danielle loved you, and I had a great time with you.”
He runs a hand down his cheek and cups his chin. He watches me, one brow raised to the sky.
“And I was just teasing you tonight,” I add since he seems to have taken the first part well. “I think you’re a totally nice guy.”
“Well, I was just teasing you too. I think you’re a totally nice girl.”
We exchange a grin.
He moves his weight from one foot to the other. I hold my breath, not sure what’s coming but fairly certain something is.
There’s a wariness in his eye that makes me wonder if he’s going to kiss me. He leans in, ever so slightly, and I’m a little breathless.