“Not yet.” I give her a meaningful look. “But I’m hoping that changes soon.”
An adorably sexy blush spreads across her cheeks. At least my not-so-subtle hint didn’t go right over her head.
Whiskey places his paw on her lap, requesting her attention.
“I think he’s hoping the same.” I cluck my chin at him.
“And what’s that exactly?”
“That you’ll agree to see if this thing between us will go further than dinner.”
8
Chloe
At Landon’shint that he’s hoping things will progress beyond dinner, my body turns Arctic cold. I wouldn’t be surprised if tiny polar bears are playing tag in my gut.
It’s not what you think, I tell it.
“You mean you want to have sex with me?” I didn’t intend to say it out loud, but that’s got to be what he’s thinking.
His eyebrows tug up his forehead. “I’m not the kind of guy who has sex on a first date.”
I manage to hold back a snorted laugh. He looks exactly like that type. He exudes sexuality.
“That’s good to know.” My girlie parts have the opposite opinion—they want to jump him now—but they don’t have a say in this conversation.
“So, are you interested in having a second date after this?”
“Technically, this isn’t even a first date.”
“Sure, it is. I’m making you dinner, right?” He gestures at the food spread out on the counter. “That counts as a date.”
I laugh—he really is funny. “But talking shop kind of negates that. And shop talk is the reason I’m here. We’re discussing the show, and I’m sharing tips on how to deal with kindergarteners.”
“Well, how about we have a date tonight and not talk shop?”
I shake my head. “I don’t date.”
“Not at all?”
“Nope. Not at all. Men tend not to stick around in my life for long.”
“You’ve obviously gone out with the wrong men.”
“Oh, it’s not just the men I’ve dated. My biological father and my stepfather weren’t any different.”
A frown creases Landon’s brow. “They both actually told you they were leaving your mother because of you?”
“No, but after they left us, they never tried to contact me. I thought they loved me. I was wrong. So clearly, I’m a terrible judge of character.” Although in the case of my father and stepfather, it was my mother who’d been the terrible judge of character.
I’m just the one who (eventually) learned from Mom’s mistakes. I’m the one who decided to be a lot more cautious when it came to giving my heart away again.
I scoop up Whiskey and cuddle him.
The little furball licks my chin. I can see why dogs make good emotional-support animals. His unconditional love is a great balm for the battered soul.
I grin at him and kiss his fuzzy little head. Then I look over to Landon. “I’m not interested in dating you. But I’m more than happy to be your friend.”
