“Steve!”
I grab the puppy from Shep’s outstretched hands and snuggle him close. The pug licks happily at my face, and it’s the cheeriest I’ve felt in weeks.
“Someone missed me,” I say to Steve.
“Yes, someone did,” Shep replies.
My eyes meet his for the first time in weeks, and it nearly knocks me backward.
There’s stubble lining his chin, like he hasn’t shaved in a couple days, and I have to say, it really works for him.
I don’t notice that I’ve reached for him until my fingers collide with the rough stubble.
I pull away quickly, trying to compose myself.
“I, uh, I like that. It suits you.”
“Yeah?” He runs a hand over the shadow. “Good. I was thinking of keeping it.”
“You should.”
He nods, smiling. “Then I will.”
“God, this is awkward.”
“It is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He rakes his eyes over me, taking in my outfit, which is eerily similar to the one I was wearing that night in the grocery store, only this time I’m actually wearing a bra. “You, uh, ready for our date?”
“If you’re about to hate on my outfit, I will strangle you.”
“Ah, there’s my asphyxiation-loving girl.”
“Shepard…” I warn.
“What? I’m not saying a thing.” He presses his lips together. “Come on, we’re working on a tight schedule here.”
“A tight schedule for our impromptu date at 11PM.”
“Technically,” he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket and glancing at the screen, “it’s only 10:45.”
“You are so annoying.”
“You love it. Let’s go.”
Grumbling, I follow him out the door, not bothering to grab my purse because he issopaying for this entire date.
We make our way out of my building and I follow him down to his truck.
He pauses outside my door and turns to me. “I know it’s kind of cliché, but it’s all I could find this late at night.”
“Okay…” I say, stretching the word out.
He pulls open the door and sitting on the seat is not one, not two…not even three, butfivedozen red roses.
“What in the ever-loving fuck, Shep? That’s a lot of money.”
He shrugs. “I had to get you a dozen for every year I wasted.”
“I… Hell, I have no idea what to say.”
