She studies me for several heartbeats. “Fine. Where’s my number two confession?” I can’t tell if she really does believe me or if she wants to hear my second truth before she passes her official judgment.
“Number two.” I stroke my thumb over her knuckles while staring into her eyes. “I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time.” My heart is hammering so hard in my chest that I worry that she can hear it. My palms are sweaty, but that’s not reason enough for me to drop her hand. Her skin is so damn soft. I’m not ready to give that up. Not yet.
Her mouth opens and quickly closes. Then she starts to laugh. “Come on.” She shakes her head. “I’m being real with you, and you’re toying with me.”
“Jade?” I wait for her laughter to subside and for her to give me her full attention. “You really know how to smash a man's ego.” I smile softly. “I’m being more real with you than I’ve been in a damn long time where women are concerned. In fact, I’ll prove it.” I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Have dinner with me.”
“Wait. For real?” There’s disbelief in her tone and what looks a lot like hope in her eyes.
“For real,” I assure her.
I expect her to argue some more, and I’m prepared to do whatever it is I need to do in order to convince her that I’m being truthful. However, the auburn-haired beauty surprises me with a whispered, “Yes.”
“Yeah?” I can’t contain my smile. “Wait. Don’t answer that. I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind.” She giggles, and I want to bottle the sound. “Tonight?”
“Well, we’re all kind of here for Ramsey and Deacon. It would be rude to leave for a date or dinner, I mean.”
“Oh, no, it’s a date, sweetheart.” Her cheeks flush, and I’ve never wanted to kiss someone so badly in my entire life.
“Tomorrow?”
“It’s Sunday.”
“And?”
“Sure. Tell me when and where.”
This time I’m the one to laugh. “That’s not how this is going to work. How am I supposed to get you to fall in love with me if I don’t woo you?”
“Woo me?”
“Yes. I’ll be at your place at five. I know we both have to work the next day, so we won’t stay out late. Not this time.”
“This time?”
I smile. “This first of many.” Not able to help myself, I lean in and press my lips to her cheek. “Come on. We have a happy couple to congratulate.” I stand and offer her my hand. She places hers in mine, and it feels right, just like I knew it would. I hold her hand all the way to the door, then drop it, placing mine on the small of her back, leading her back into the Tavern.
CHAPTER
TWO
Jade
My bedroom looks like a clothing tornado just blew through. I’ve changed no less than ten times, and I’m still standing here in my new matching bra and panty set, not sure what I’m going to wear to dinner tonight with Orrin.
I went shopping earlier and bought my new lingerie, and even a new sundress, but now that I’m home, I don’t want to wear it. I can’t ever remember a time when I’ve been this nervous about a date. Orrin is a few years older than me. As Deacon’s best friend and me being Piper’s best friend, we saw a lot of each other. He was a crush, but nothing more. I went away to college and forgot about him.
However, since I’ve been home, every time I’m around him, I can’t seem to see anyone else. He’s aged well. Hell, he and his brothers and even Deacon, Piper’s brother, could all be models. I mean, if I were to see them modeling their undies, I’d buy that magazine. Trust me. You would too.
My phone rings, and I stare down at the screen. It’s Piper. I haven’t told her about my date, and the guilt weighs heavy on me. With a sigh, I grab the device and swipe at the screen. “Hey.”
“Hi. What are you doing tonight? Heath’s working. I thought we could grab dinner.”
“Oh, uh, I would, but I have plans.”
“Plans?”
“Yep.”
“No biggie. What are you doing?”
“Going to dinner.”
“With who?” She chuckles. “Is this top secret or something? What’s going on with you? You sound funny, and you’re being evasive.”
“Orrin.”
“What about Orrin?”
“I’m having dinner with Orrin.”
“What?” she screeches. “When did this happen? Why am I just now finding out about this? Wait, yesterday, you said Orrin was your pick. Did you make a move? Damn, I’m proud of you,” Piper rattles on.
“He asked me. It happened yesterday at the Tavern.”
“What? How in the hell did I miss that?”
“I walked outside for some air right after the proposal. Orrin followed me.”
“So, he asked you to dinner?”