She sighs and I hold my breath, waiting for her words. “No. I get it. I’m glad I could help.”
Several seconds tick by before she says, “Well, I’d better go.”
“Listen… I just got a pizza delivered.” Oh shit. What am I doing?
“Crap. I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say anything? I just—”
“No, I mean… do you want to come over?” Seriously, what the ever-loving hell am I doing?
“But you said—”
“I know what I said. There’s nothing wrong with us being friends.” Shit. I just friend-zoned her.
“Right. Friends.”
I wait for her to tell me she has other plans when she finally speaks. “What kind of pizza?”
My heart sort of flutters a little in my chest at her question. Is that weird? Should my heart flutter? Maybe I should get that checked out. “Great Plains. The Herbivore’s Delight on whole wheat, but I added pepperoni.”
Her laugh makes me smile. “You got a vegetarian pizza with meat?”
“I did. It’s the best.”
“Actually, it sounds delicious. Are you sure you have enough?”
“How much are you gonna eat?” I laugh. “I bought a large. I even got extra honey.”
“Oh, wow. I love dipping the crust in the honey.”
Me too. “So, are you in?”
“I’m in. This is my cell, so text me your address. I’ll be over in… well, soon.”
“Great.”
We hang up, and I send her my address. If she leaves right now, it’ll take her fifteen to twenty minutes to get here. That gives me a little time to tidy up my place and change into jeans and a shirt that doesn’t have holes in the armpits.
Chapter Seventeen
Daisy
What am I doing? I can’t believe I’m about to step onto Gage Golden’s front porch.
I take a moment to look at his little bungalow. Actually, the entire neighborhood is adorable. The streetlights look like old-time gas lamps that are bright enough for me to see what his place looks like. It’s cute and very neat. The grass is cut, and there are pretty flowers in beds all around the porch that extends the entire length of the front of the house. Taking two steps up, I find myself on a porch that’s the perfect spot for a swing.
“Oh God.” I attempt to swallow my nerves down. “I can’t believe I’m about to knock on Gage Golden’s front door.” His yellow front door. If I told you I’ve always wanted a yellow front door, would you think I was nuts?
Just as I’m about to knock, his door opens wide, and I nearly choke. Gage in a police uniform is a sight to behold, but in a pair of jeans and a snug tee and bare feet? Well, I may just die from happiness on the spot. It’s my favorite look by far. He’s casual while still being rugged and sexy as hell.
“Damn.” I sort of mumble the word, but I think he heard me.
“I could say the same.”
I look down at the dress I’ve been wearing all day. The green and yellow floral one. “Oh, this old thing?” I giggle at my stupidity. He’s not the only one who can reference old shows.
“You look really nice.”
“Thanks.”
We stand there, me still on his front porch, him in his doorway, until I make a slight motion with my hand.
“Oh, shit.” He chuckles as he moves out of the doorway. “Come in. Please.”
Following him in, I smile when I see the inside of this house. Everything looks updated with fresh paint and refinished floors, but there’s still the essence of male all around thanks to the oversized black leather sectional sofa and matching chair. They’re so large, they pretty much take up the entire space.
The room is open to the kitchen, which looks as though it’s been updated with some kind of stone counters. Marble or granite, Though I can’t be sure. “I like your place.”
“Yeah?” He smiles proudly. “I’ve been working on it.”
“By yourself?”
“Mostly.” Running a hand through his blond waves, he adds, “But there are things that just aren’t in my wheelhouse.”
“Like?”
“Electrical and plumbing. I hired people to do those things.”
“Smart. Flood and fire are two of the worst things that can happen to a home.”
Even though I was serious, he must find it hilarious because he throws his head back and laughs. I don’t hate it. Gage Golden laughing, or with any kind of smile, is magnificent.
When he stops laughing, he points to his couch. “Have a seat. I kept the pizza warm in the oven. Let me grab it.” Turning to head into the kitchen, he asks, “What would you like to drink? I’ve got beer, water, and lemon-lime soda.”
“Water, please.”
“Got it.”
I sit on the sofa and sink in, wiggling until my spine meets with the back. It’s so deep my feet are now sticking straight out in front of me. See what I mean? His sofa his huge. It’s so big there’s no room for a dining table in this space, apparently.
While I wait for him to return from the kitchen, I fiddle with the bottom of my dress—and scream.
From out of nowhere, a cat has jumped onto my lap.
“What’s wrong?” Gage shouts as he races from the kitchen.
“Y-You’ve g-got a cat?” I hate cats. Well, correction. I’m scared of cats. There’s a difference. A slight one.
“Pepper. Get down.” Gage places a hand on the feline’s body and pushes her off my lap. Kneeling in front of me, he looks up at me with worry in his eyes. “Are you okay? I should have warned you about the cat.”
Shaking my head, I reach out and touch his arm. “No. I’m sorry I panicked. Cats and me….” How do I say it? “Cat’s don’t usually like me.”
“Pepper must’ve liked you to come to you.” He smiles. “She’s finicky about who she lets pet her.”
“Really?” If that’s the case, maybe I could try again. “Her name’s Pepper?” It’s a strange name for a yellow cat.
“My mom named her Pepper Anderson.”
I laugh. “She’s got a last name?”
“Yeah.” He runs his fingers through
