“A kitten, then,” Oliver continues.
I laugh once more. “No way, they require far more attention.”
He gives me a half grin that’s so attractive I have to inwardly tell my knees to stop their damned shaking.
“What about you?” I ask, getting two mugs out. “Do you have a pet?”
“Got a dog. A shepherd.”
My eyes get big. “Wow, that is a big job.”
“Yeah, he’s a lot of work, but he’s loyal and he’s good.”
“I bet.”
After making tea, we go and sit on my old but cozy black sofa. I cross my legs, facing him, gripping my mug with both hands, and trying not to blush. I wish I wasn’t so damned shy and hesitant. That I could sit here without feeling a little nervous. It’s not that I don’t trust Oliver; I do, I can tell he’s a good guy. But I guess because of my past, I have forgotten how to feel normal, act normal, and, I guess, trust a little bit. I take a deep breath and do my best, though.
“What do you like doing for fun?” I ask Oliver, trying to make conversation, because really all I want to do is lean forward and kiss him.
So, so bad.
I haven’t felt that for such a long, long time.
“I ride motorbikes, obviously, since I work on them,” he says. “I also like fishing.”
I raise my brows. “I didn’t peg you as the outdoor type.”
“Why not?” he asks.
I shrug. “I’m not sure. Motorbikes, yes, but fishing . . . no. I guess that’s the beauty of people, though, you never really know until you ask.”
“No, that’s true,” he says, sipping his tea. “You like fishing?”
“I’ve never really been, but I think I’d like it, yes. I’ve always wanted to give it a try.”
“I’ll take you.”
He’ll.
Take.
Me.
My heart races and I want to scream with joy. If he wants to take me fishing, then he wants to get to know me. Inside, I’m both happy and scared. I have the chance to get to know this guy. Though I feel like I’m ready, even after what happened with Terry, I’m still a little nervous. Still, I think Oliver is worth taking the chance on. I smile and say, “That would be cool.”
“You like camping?”
I swallow. If he asks me to go camping with him, I’ll jump at the chance. The woods, a fire, and just us two alone . . . yes, please.
“Yes, I do.”
“We should go. I know this little spot. Kenai and Marlie have come with me before, maybe we can all go.”
“Sounds great.”
My heart swells with the kind of happiness and excitement I haven’t felt in a long time.
“I should get goin’,” he says, putting his tea on the coffee table and standing. “Going to be a big night tomorrow night.”
My heart drops. I was enjoying just having a conversation with him. Without any pressure. It was really nice to talk with someone of the opposite sex like that again. But still, slowly is how I want things to go, even though I wish I could talk to him some more. I know there’s plenty of time for that.
“Okay,” I say softly, standing and walking him to the front door. “Thanks for dropping me home.”
“Thanks for the tea,” he murmurs, staring down at me. “Jade?”
“Yes?” I ask, looking up at him.
“I don’t do this often, but do you want to go to dinner with me?”
Oh my Lord. Yes. Yes. Yes, I do.
I try to keep it together when I answer, “I’d really like that.”
He pulls out his phone, opening it and typing something, then he asks for my number. I give it to him.
“I’ll text you when I get home, so you’ll have mine. Goodnight, sweetheart.”
I swallow and look up at him. “Goodnight, Oliver.”
He leans down, pressing a kiss to my head.
And then he’s gone.
And my heart practically melts.
The second the door is closed and I hear his truck drive away, I let out a happy little squeal.
Yesterday, I was too nervous to even talk to him, but today, he asked me on a date.
How quickly things can change.
Chapter 4
A hard body lands on top of mine and I’m jerked awake. Panic sets in, but only for a second once I hear the feminine giggle coming from on top of me. My eyes open and I peer up into a disfigured wolf face staring down at me. “That’s nasty,” I say sleepily, squeezing its snout.
Erin reaches up and jerks the mask off. “I know, right, but I wanted to scare you. And you’re not scared.”
Erin lives in the apartment next to mine, but she has a key and pretty much welcomes herself into my home whenever she feels like it. Most mornings she’s here, drinking my coffee, before I’m even awake. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though. Her roommate drives her crazy, and I know my place feels more like home to her. Plus, I like the company.
I laugh. “I’m terrified. Really.”
“I could have been anyone, you know?”
“Your giggling gave it all away.”
She laughs and rolls off me. “Happy Halloween.”
I roll my eyes and laugh again. “Why are you waking me up early, when I had a late night?”
She rolls to her side and looks at me. “That’s exactly why. I need all the juicy details. I couldn’t wait. So. Tell them to me. Tell me all the details. Do not leave anything out. You know I can tell when you’re lying.”
I stretch and groan. What time is it? I glance at my bedside table. Eight a.m. Way too early. I could have gotten a few more hours in before I had to head in for the Halloween party.
“Let me get coffee, then I’ll tell you.”
I roll out of bed, and Erin follows me. “It mustn’t have been that great, if he’s not still here.”
“Last time I checked, it’s not proper
