“I should probably tell you,” Julian says finally, his thumb brushing my cheek, “this isn’t usually how my first dates go.”
I laugh softly. “Mine either.”
“I don’t want you to think...” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “This meant something to me. You mean something.”
The sincerity in his voice wraps around me like a warm blanket. I prop myself up on one elbow to look at him properly. His hair is mussed from my fingers, his lips slightly swollen from our kisses. He looks vulnerable in a way I wouldn’t have expected from someone who exudes such confidence.
“It meant something to me too,” I admit. “And honestly? I was starting to think I’d never feel this way again.”
His expression softens. “After your divorce?”
I nod, surprised he remembered that detail from our brief conversations before tonight. “Twelve years is a long time to be with someone. When it ended, I thought maybe that part of me was just... done.”
Julian’s hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining. “I’m glad it’s not.”
“Me too.” I lay my head back on his chest, feeling strangely unburdened by my confession. “So what happens now?”
“A second date. Unless you’re already sick of me?”
“I’m definitely not sick of you yet.”
“Good,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
JULIAN
I never thoughtI’d find someone so soon moving here. Fate had over plans. Ellie is an amazing woman and the fact that she wants to go on another date scares me. At some point, I will have to open up to her about my past. The real reason for my move to Lawson Ridge, but doing it too soon might backfire. At the same time, I don’t want her to think I am keeping something from her.
I spend the day at work fantasizing about our date tonight. Despite my looks, I don’t normally sleep with women on a first date. My bed isn’t a revolving door either. Everyone sees tattoos and immediately dreams up this awful scenario.
And Ellie is different. There is a connection with her that I haven’t felt in years, maybe ever. I need to focus on tonight. Make it special.
When five o’clock hits, I practically sprint out, leaving the guys yelling after me.
“Hot date tonight?”
“Yup. Sorry you don’t.”
I hurry home, shower and change, opting for a button-down shirt that covers most of my tattoos.
At seven, she’s standing outside waiting for me. She takes my breath away in a simple blue dress that makes her eyes pop.Tonight is going to be more low-key. I still haven’t seen most of this small town, so I thought we could just walk through and take in the scenery.
“You look beautiful.”
She blushes, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you. You clean up nice yourself.”
We start walking down Main Street, our shoulders occasionally brushing against each other.
“So,” Ellie says, glancing at me, “how was work today?”
“Honestly? I spent most of it thinking about tonight.”
Her smile widens, and my chest tightens in that pleasant way that makes me want to keep making her smile.
“Me too,” she admits. “My coworkers noticed I was distracted.”
We stop at a small ice cream shop. After getting our cones, we continue our stroll, talking about everything and nothing.
“What made you choose Lawson Ridge of all places?”
