CHAPTERSEVEN
Hayden
“Where areyou going all dressed up?” Dad asks as I come down the stairs.
Waiting for quitting time had been hard, knowing I had this date to look forward to. “Out to dinner with a friend.”
“From high school?”
Not wanting to get into it with him, I give a non-committal “Mmm. Haven’t seen them in a while.” If a while means a day.
“Have fun. I have work tomorrow so I’ll probably be asleep by the time you get home.”
“Be safe.” I lean down, kissing him on the cheek.
“You too.”
With a wave, I grab my purse and am out the door. The excitement in my stomach is weird for someone my age, but it’s there. Maybe because I’ve never met someone who intrigues me like Danny does or perhaps it’s because I feel as if we’re sneaking around. Either way, I’m excited to see him tonight. Getting into my car, I smooth the shirt I’m wearing over my stomach and hope I still have what it takes to date.
It’s been a while.
Months.
If we’re counting, almost a year.
I’m beyond ready to get back into the dating world again, to let my hair down, and maybe just a little bit of my freak flag fly. Backing out of the driveway, I turn toward the BBQ joint and admire the setting sun. The sunsets here are the paintings in galleries. They’re the perfect end to a day. The relaxation I’ve missed and needed. Driving up the mountain, I grin as I pass the spot where Danny and I met.
Three miles further and I’m at Mountainside.
His Jeep is parked in a spot next to the door and he’s waiting inside.
Since he’s not paying attention to me, I allow myself to look at him. To take in the strength of his jawline and the way his hair hangs slightly in front of his eyes. My fingers itch to push it out of his face so I can see what he looks like unobstructed.
When he turns his gaze to me, I realize I’m busted.
His shit-eating grin turns his face into a mask of happiness. I can’t help but grin back. We both get out at the same time, meeting in the middle.
“Hey.” He puts his hands into his pockets, rocking back on his heels. “You look…” He seems to not be able to articulate what he wants to say.
“Thanks.” I push a blonde curl behind my ear.
“Beautiful,” he finishes up.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.”
We stand in silence. Not awkward though. We’re both observing, possibly trying to figure out what the other is about.
“Have you eaten here before?” He asks, putting his hand at the small of my back and ushering me toward the door.
There’s a slight shiver where he touches me. I’ve never had this kind of visceral reaction before and, immediately, I want it over and over again. “Yeah, but it’s been a few years.”
When we get inside, the lady at the hostess station greets us. “Hey Danny, how’s it going?”
Judging by the way she’s smiling at him, he comes in here a lot and she enjoys seeing him. “Good, can we get a booth in the back?”
She gives me a once-over. It’s hard to tell if she’s bothered I’m here with him or impressed that I am. “Right this way.”
Again, he places his hand at the small of my back, causing the same reaction as before. At least I don’t have to wonder if it was real or not. Judging by the way the slight touch makes me feel, the chemistry between us is definitely there.