That was against the rules, wasn’t it? But at this point are we still following the rules? I thought as soon as Shade wrecked and it was announced he was out of competing for three months, I’d be heading home. They wouldn’t need me around, right?
Turned out they needed me more than ever now because, with Shade unable to race, that meant someone needed to take care of him.
That left me. And I was gladly willing to do it. I needed to prove to him there was more to my reasoning behind taking the job and I truly cared for his well-being. Yes, I took the job because I wanted to be around him and help him in a way I never had when Asher died, but even in that first night at his house, I realized it was way more than that, and this guy had quickly become someone I knew I wasn’t going to be able to live without.
I know what you’re thinking. You still haven’t told him about Asher. Well, I intend to. I’m not keeping it from him, I just haven’t decided how to bring up the dead-by-suicide ex yet.
Truth is, I never thought I’d feel that way about anyone again after Asher so telling Shade about him won’t be easy. I will tell him. . . eventually.
For now, do you see that guy at the door to the guest house? The one standing in front of me in shorts, with a stiff neck and sunglasses on?
He looks nervous, doesn’t he?
“I’ve never done this before but would you like to go on a date with me?” he asks, his hands in his pockets.
Tiller laughs from the chair beside the pool, his phone in hand, hanging over the side of the chair. “You’re pathetic.”
Shade shoots him a dirty look and then looks at me, raising his sunglasses so I can see his expression clearer. “Will you?”
Yep. He’s definitely nervous. I’ve seen this look. It’s the same expression he had when he asked me to cut his hair and feared I’d shave it all off.
When he asks me the question, the going out one, I can’t hide my smile. I’ve never been asked on a date before. Like,ever. Not even with Asher. I was too young back then, and he was too much of a rebel to ever ask a girl out on an actual date. “Of course I will.”
Shade lets out a breath, blows it out in a whoosh, and stands up straight. “Okay, uh, like seven sound okay? Maestro’s in Beverly Hills?”
Did he really think I’d say no? Well, he probably did. Look how long I’ve been saying no to his advances so far? Sure, we’d made incredible ground as far as our relationship goes since that night we kissed on the couch, and the shower, but there was still the contract I signed. I couldn’t technically go further than the touching and the naked sponge baths where he sucked on my nipples and played with my clit ring.
“So, Maestro’s?” he presses when I don’t answer.
“Oh, right.” I wave my hand around. “Yes. I don’t know what that is but yes. I want to go.”
His smile widens. “Maestro’s is a steak house.”
“Great. I love meat.”
Shit. Why’d I say that?
Tiller laughs. “Yeah, she does. Just not yours.”
Shade turns his body, careful of his neck and its lack of mobility. “Shut the fuck up, Tiller.”
He laughs again. “I can’t. I’m incapable of it.”
Shade turns back to me, then around again, like he’s going to leave. Facing me, he nods, his hands in his pockets. “I’ll meet you in the driveway at seven.” After kissing my cheek, he walks away, straight over to Tiller. And then pushes him right into the pool. “I hope you drown.”
When he’s out of sight in the house, I close the door and call Willa in a panic. “He asked me on a date.”
“Who?”
I roll my eyes and flop myself onto the bed. “Shade.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I said I’d go.”
“Aww, that’s cute. Have fun.”
Did she really just say that? You heard it too, didn’t you?
