Page 23 of Written in the Stars
I can’t keep staring at him as he talks because I just know I’m going to look like a moron, making a fool out of myself, tripping over my words or something. I need to keep this conversation focused on the store and our accessories.
He takes a deep breath and says, “A fun Friday night out on the town with a beautiful young woman?”
I bat my eyes a few times. Clearly I haven’t heard him correctly. “I’m sorry, what?”
He chuckles. “My apologies… I haven’t done this in so long. Please let me introduce myself. I’m Zander. Zander, the firefighter that burst in here a couple of weeks ago with Mr. Hovinger. I would be delighted if you’d come out and have dinner with me this Friday night.”
“She would absolutely love to!” Lissa broadcasts, coming out of her office just in time; she’s always just in time.
She comes over to join me, and as she places an arm around my shoulder, I exhale. “I would?”
“Of course you would,” she mumbles through her teeth, displaying her smile.
“Great! I’ll pick you up from here at seven, um…”
“Serenity,” I respond and smile cautiously.
“Serenity.” His smile is going to kill me and turn me into a pile of mush on this floor. He nods and says goodnight to my sister and me. As he walks out, I can’t peel my eyes away from the sight of him. He is so incredibly handsome.
“Well, look at you! I leave you alone for no longer than half an hour, and you score yourself a date! And with a hunky fireman, no less,” Lissa shouts.
“Oh my God, Lissa! What am I going to do? I can’t go out with him!” I continue eyeing him as he walks down the block. God, he is so fucking hot.
“Well, why the heck not?” She pouts. “I don’t see a ring on your finger, or his.”
I bite down on my bottom lip. “Because! I have no idea what to do!” I exclaim, finally looking away from the window. I walk toward the back of the store and then turn around, marching right back to the front. I’m pacing, nervously, and it’s all because of the mere thought of being out on a date with Zander that’s making me nervous.
Zander. Zander.
“You go out to dinner with him, eat your food, and act politely. You talk and get acquainted, and hell, you might even enjoy yourself! Imagine that, li’l sis.” She rolls her eyes playfully at me. “It’s a date, not rocket science!”
My sister makes it seem so easy, like something I can do, but I don’t remember a thing about dating. I haven’t been out on a first date in years.
“Lissa! I haven’t done this in so long! I don’t even know how to act!” I bring a finger to my mouth and bite my nails. Yeah, a nervous habit.
“Stop biting your nails! You’re going to need them to look nice for this Friday. The hard part is over… he’s obviously already noticed you and likes what he sees. He came all the way over here just to ask you out. So stop worrying so much. You’ll be fine, and you’ll be thanking me later.”
She winks, and I give her a look that says I’m going to faint.
