thanks for coming with us today
wednesday night at 7 work for you?
12
WILLOW
The beginning of the week passed slowly for Willow, but she was grateful for the chance to calm down about this thing with Jensen before it actually happened.
She did manage to get over to Ransom’s house with cookies, and though they only hung out for a minute or two before he had to take the kids out, it felt more like old times already.
Maybe Ransom could handle this—Jensen and me…
But of course there was no Willow and Jensen. The more she thought about it, the more she tried to remind herself that she was an old friend. Even if the gentle caress and kiss on top of the head made her heart flutter, it might have been a sweet gesture toward a woman he thought of like a younger sister.
She was old enough to know better than to jump to conclusions. She shouldn’t think of it as a date unless he made it crystal clear.
Going to dinner sure sounds like a date…
She had wondered if he would text her again and maybe give her some context. But her phone stayed frustratingly silent, and she managed not to text him beyond theyes, sounds great, she had sent back the night he asked.
And maybe it was better not to know if it was a date or not. It was probably not a bad idea to share a private meal, and see if the pull she felt might lead to something real and lasting before she risked the tenuous peace she had made with Ransom over nothing.
When Wednesday night finally arrived, she pulled out her favorite long, wool skirt and a soft sweater to go on top. She brushed her hair until it shone, and even though she didn’t normally wear makeup, she smoothed on a little shiny lip gloss before pulling on a pair of pretty brown leather boots.
Her phone buzzed right at seven and she grabbed it, hoping it wasn’t a last-minute cancellation.
Jensen Webb
i’m coming up
didn’t want to startle you
She could only smile at his good manners. As a matter of fact, if she were standing in her kitchen after dark and a face unexpectedly appeared in the glass top of the door, she would probably scream her head off.
A moment later, there was a gentle knock, and then there was Jensen Webb standing at the door, looking more handsome than ever.
She opened the door and took him in for a second. He was so tall and so handsome with his dark hair andthat close-cropped beard—he really did look like a movie star.
“Hi,” she said, feeling suddenly breathless.
“Hey,” he replied. “You look beautiful.”
“I’ll just grab my coat,” she managed before jogging off to get it while willing herself not to blush.
You look beautiful.
It was a date for sure. She tried to fight back the big, silly smile that was spreading across her face as she grabbed her coat and headed back to the kitchen with it.
“Let me get that for you,” Jensen said, holding his hands out.
She handed it over and let him slide her coat over her arms. He smoothed his big hands over her shoulders once he was finished, and she felt like she was going to swoon.
“Ready?” he asked her.
She nodded, and he opened the door and let her lead the way down the fire escape.
His truck was waiting out front, and she knew enough to wait for him to get the door for her, as he liked to do. When he opened her door, he offered her his hand. She didn’t really need it, but she took it anyway, feeling a little tingle of happiness shoot right through her at the gentle touch.
