“Yeah. I’d take you out today if you didn’t have vomit breath.” He barked out a laugh.
I placed a hand over my mouth and fell back on the pillow. “We’ve done everything backward. You know all my dirty secrets, and you’ve seen me praying to the porcelain gods, and we haven’t even had our first kiss.”
“I’m kidding. I’ve never met someone who brushed their teeth so aggressively after vomiting. But I’ve never discussed kissing someone so thoroughly before just doing it, so now I figure it shouldn’t happen when you aren’t feeling great. So, if you’re better tomorrow, plan on it.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I pushed to my feet. “I’m feeling a lot better, but I need to go home, take a bath, and put on some clean clothes,” I said, surprised that he looked disappointed that I was leaving.
“I’ll give you a ride.” He moved to stand.
“I can walk,” I said, waving a hand in front of me. “You’ve done enough for me.”
“You aren’t used to anyone taking care of you, are you?” he asked, as he went to his dresser and pulled a tee out of the drawer, tugging it over his head.
I processed his words as I slipped on my shoes. “I’m just used to taking care of myself.”
“Well, regardless of how our date goes, that changes now.” His gaze locked with mine. “When you need anything, or youaren’t feeling well, or someone at work gives you a hard time, you call me. I will drop everything for you, Weeze.”
I swallowed hard, looking away because the intensity in his gaze nearly took my breath away. “Why?”
“Because you showed up for me when I needed you after the injury. I would have started running too soon. I would have reinjured myself, and you made sure I did things right. And I don’t know, Eloise, at the end of the day, I just like you, so when you need me, you just have to say the word.”
Damn you, Clark Chadwick.
I was still holding out hope that the first kiss would suck, and now the man goes and says the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.
I nodded. “Same. I’m always here if you need me.”
“All right. Let’s get you home.”
The ride to my house was quiet. Almost as if we were both processing all that had happened.
Even though nothing physical had happened between us.
It felt like things had shifted.
He pulled into the driveway at Emilia’s house, where the guest cottage sat at the end of the driveway.
“All right, get some rest. I’m counting on that date tomorrow.” He winked.
“Practice first, Hotshot. And then you can kiss me after.”
“Get ready to be knocked off your feet,” he said, before coming around the truck and opening my door. I swung my legs out, and he stepped forward, his big hands finding each side of my hips as he lifted me down, sliding my body slowly against his before my feet hit the ground.
Our faces were so close that my nerves were jumping, and my stomach fluttered at the heat in his gaze. His lips were so close to mine I could feel his warm breath on my face.
“I’m hoping neither of us is knocked off our feet,” I whispered.
“Yeah, that sure would be a lot easier.”
I stepped back, holding my hand up and waving as I pulled my key out of my purse and pushed inside.
I said a silent mantra a couple of times just to settle my nerves.
Please let it be the worst kiss ever.
Please let it be the worst kiss ever.
Please let it be the worst kiss ever.
