I suck in a breath. I want it to be a yes so badly. It’s Colt. I like him, but we’re reconnecting after a lot of years away. There’s so much we don’t know about each other. Plus, dating and being in a relationship differs from being friends.
But it’s Colt. I can’t say no. My heart wouldn’t be able to bear it. “It’s a yes, but we should take things slow. I don’t want to screw up our friendship.”
“I can do slow.”
COLT
Kissing wasn’tin the plan. I meant to talk to him and tell him my feelings. Something overtook me at the moment, though, and I poured all those words I couldn’t figure out how to say into the kiss. And holy fuck, it worked.
At least, I’m not sure what slow means, but I’m happy to go as slowly as Nathan needs. We can move at a glacial pace if he wants as long as we’re moving toward whatever this is between us.
“Did you still want to watch another movie?” he asks, looking between me and the TV. I don’t want to leave, but we both need a little space to think. I can’t think when his incredibly kissable mouth is right in front of me.
“It’s getting late. I should let you go to sleep.” It’s a stupid excuse, but I need an out. Saying I need to go before I throw him down on the couch and have my way with him isn’t nearly as good.
“You’re probably right. I’m supposed to meet the guys tomorrow for brunch.” We both sit silently. This is precisely what I didn’t want to happen. Ten minutes ago, I would’ve hopped up, put on my shoes, and left. What’s the protocol now?
Tentatively, I stand up and start clearing the coffee table of the beer cans. He grabs the last one and follows me to the kitchen. Once they’re in the recycling, we both go to the front door. I untie my shoelaces so I can get my shoes on. People always tell me I need to untie them when I take them off, and I guess this is the exact reason. It’s weird having him watch me slowly untie, put on, and re-tie each one.
“So, I’ll text you about that date?” Nathan bites his lip and leans against the wall.
“You better. I want to plan a whole night for next Friday.” Nathan deserves a real first date, not a rushed kiss in his living room.
“Okay.”
I lean in cautiously and brush my lips over his. It’s chaste, but my body lights up when we meet.
I open the door and close it slowly behind me. I make my way to my car, forcing myself not to look back.
I focused so much on getting to this part that I forgot what would happen next.
Chapter Fourteen
NATHAN
“Ugh. I give up.”I throw the offending top on my bed and pull my phone from my pocket.
“On a scale of one to ten, how much are you freaking out right now?” Tyler picks up on the first ring.
“A million.” It’s only a slight exaggeration. Tyler huffs. It’s not my fault figuring out what to wear for a date is so difficult.
“What’s the problem now?” Since Colt and I decided to make a go of the dating thing last week, I’ve been second-guessing everything. The panicked phone calls have increased in frequency all week. But Tyler is my best friend. He signed up for this craziness.
“I don’t know what to wear.” Or how to act. Or what Colt was thinking after that kiss. I suspect Tyler will only be able to help with the clothing issue.
“Okay, where’s he taking you?”
“We’re going out to dinner at a Thai restaurant downtown and then back to my place for a movie.” After many text messages, we compromised on this arrangement. It would get usout of the house and doing what Colt referred to as aproper dateand also give us some privacy to discuss our relationship.
“You two are quite the party animals.”
“I have ten minutes, and you aren’t helping.” I turn on the speakerphone and set my phone on the dresser. My closet is an endless wasteland of clothing I never wear. Clothing stores bring out the best of intentions in me, but I end up in the same outfits every week.
“Fine. Wear those black jeans you think are too tight and one of your button-ups. Not a white one… pick something with more color.”
“That’s not too fancy?” The Thai restaurant is nice, but it’s notnice-nice.
“Nah, it’s a first date. You want to make a good impression.”
