“What should I wear?” I asked, pretending I didn’t get all shivery again from him using endearments with me.
“I want to say nothing.”
“Barry, c’mon.” I feigned annoyance, but I wasn’t annoyed. Instead, a warm floaty feeling expanded within me. Talking to him made me feel lighter than air.
“Wear whatever you’re comfortable in.”
I was going to put more effort into it than that.
“Dress warmly,” he said seriously. “I’m going to take you to an outdoor market first, then we’ll come back here to the restaurant, and I’ll cook for you.”
“Okay. Layers, then.”
I bit down on my bottom lip. That was an easy decision, but thinking about my small closet and the lack of available clothing not related to work within it, I frowned.
“Layers I’ll just peel off you.” He hit me with that flirty tone again, and my nipples tightened as I recalled his hands on my bare skin.
“See you tomorrow,” I said huskily. “Have a good day.”
“You too,con bu?m c?a tôi. See you soon,” he said before ending the call.
I stroked my finger across the display before pocketing my phone. I liked that endearment best. It was crazy, but I did miss him.
“Who were you talking to?” Rachel asked, appearing out of nowhere, and I jumped.
“No one. Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared me.” I loved my sister, but all the reasons remained to keep the time I spent with Barry a secret.
“No one, meaning the guy from the gym?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“I went over there today,” she told me. “You weren’t there. The girl at the front desk said you left with a guy. The same one you’ve been leaving with every day this week.”
Shit.I shrugged, trying to downplay it.
Rachel came closer, sweeping her gaze over me. “Where are you going with him, Addy? And what do you know about him? It’s not safe to just go off with some random guy without telling anyone.”
“He’s not random.”
“I get that part.” She peered at me more closely. “You’re into him. It’s written all over your face. I heard you say you’re seeing him tomorrow. I want to meet him. I insist.” She wagged her finger in my face.
“Rach.” I captured her finger and squeezed it. She was acting like I used to when she started going out with guys. “I’m a grownup now, in case you’ve forgotten. And I need a little more time before I decide if I’m going to bring him to meet my family.”
“I don’t like this,” she grumbled.
I softened my tone. “If I end up bringing him to meet you, you will like him. I promise.”
But it was a lie. I wouldn’t let her know about him. I couldn’t.
“How can you be so sure?” She squinted her pretty sky-blue eyes at me.
“I just am.” I pulled in a breath. “But I do need your help with something.”
“With what?”
“He’s taking me out tomorrow.” I let her see how nervous I was about that.
“A date.”