Page 62 of The Boy from Half Moon

“How about you lead the way, then?” he suggested. “This date was your idea, remember?”

I sat on the grass and tapped my lap. “Me? There?” he asked. I nodded. His eyes widened before he grinned. “Trust me, I can definitely do that.”

I’ve never been in love. To be truthful, I wondered what a person would feel inside if they were. But right then, I felt something so strong that tugged on my heart, but scared the living daylights outta me.

Maybe I’d ask him how you knew when you were in love. After we kissed some more.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: Tate

Sunshine beamed streaks of the new day through the oversized windows in my bedroom. A feeling of absolute joy had settled into my chest, making me wonder if I was the poster boy for sun-streaked mornings, or if I was living in a Disney movie where fluffy rabbits danced around me.

“You’re stupid,” I muttered, stretching my arms over my head and tapping my fingers on the headboard. “A complete fool,” I added, not worried in the least that I was talking to myself like it was normal.

The previous evening had gone well—too well—for my hesitant-prone mind. Luke showed me a piece of property he wished he owned, breaking my heart from the affection he held for a vacant lot of scrub and dirt. Perhaps because I was a city boy, born and bred, I couldn’t understand his joy about a piece of land in the middle of nowhere.

What I could share, though, was love for how his personality showed through in how touched he was with the idea of living on his own land, perhaps building a home for a family. And of course, I’d eaten the whole scene up like Meryl Streep on a Broadway stage.

Luke’s unbridled enthusiasm with anything he spoke of was contagious. I’d forgotten how dreams and desires felt when you couldn’t fulfill them due to lack of money. If I knew Luke better, and we were, say, a year or so into a relationship, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d purchase the land. But that’s not where we were. Not even close.

Being the love detective I was, I googled the lot listing and found it was a half-acre of riverfront property for just under 80k. Money that I could easily afford, but common sense kicked in when I slowed my dreaming heart down, realizing I had no business offering him such a gift. Something told me Luke would never accept the offer, anyway.

Luke and I returned to the furniture store around half-past nine in the evening. If he was concerned about being late getting home, he never let on. The drive back to town was a lot of hand-holding and staring at the hands doing the holding. I imagined he couldn’t believe he was actually experiencing it.

Once parked next to my car, he turned in his seat to face me. “This was the best date I’ve ever had,” he’d stated. “I know I’ve only had a couple of dates, but this one takes the cake.”

“And you should know about cake,” I’d quipped, referencing his bakery job. In his typical, innocent Luke way, his brow furrowed with a lack of understanding. “That’s what I call a joke,” I’d added.

He pretend-laughed. “Needs work, sir.”

Damn if he didn’t actually have a sense of humor, too. “Sorry for the lame joke,” I’d continued. “But it is nice to know you can appreciate a corny joke.”

“Of course I can. I live on a farm,” he deadpanned.

I gawked at him for a second before bursting out laughing. Luke had a funny side I hadn’t encountered yet. Bonus points from the love gallery.

I sat in his truck last night, gazing at a man full of surprises. He had that something that’s hard to explain, but when that something hits you squarely between the eyes, it’s hard to ignore. Luke had that dangerous something. The something that made you fall in love with him. I was afraid I was falling victim to that something.

After more stretching in bed, I finally sat up and considered a shower to put the finishing touches on getting my day started. There was an interior design store having a sale on artwork, home décor, and design items I wanted to visit later. They were closed on Sundays, so I needed to get going if I wanted to check their interior art prices.

The moment I stood from the edge of my bed, the buzzer sounded, startling me. I wondered if it could be Luke, so I hurried downstairs, wearing only boxers. Fantasizing about a possible kissing session with Luke, this time on my bed, had me quickly aroused. I felt giddy at the thought that he’d managed to sneak away on a Saturday.

However, much to my chagrin, and the fastest way to kill my romance expectant high, Alec was framed on the small screen. “Shit!” I muttered, careful not to push the microphone.

What to do? What to do? My mind swirled as I fought the desire to play, ‘No One’s Home’. He buzzed again while I stared into his eyes, inches from the outside camera. “Fuck!” I hissed; one more coin to add to my swear jar. Seriously, I’d started one because I knew Luke never uttered a curse word and I hoped to improve. In fact, I wondered if Luke knew any swear words.

“Hey Alec,” I finally answered. “You’re out and about early today.”

“I want to take you to brunch,” he said, lifting his hand to the sky. “Too nice to be cooped up in there.”

“I sorta have plans,” I responded, avoiding what exactly those plans were, so he didn’t ask to come along and ruin another shopping trip.

“Buzz me in. We can discuss your plans.”

I reluctantly let him in, deciding to wait downstairs despite being barely dressed. I strode across the room and switched the coffee pot on. Things were looking like I might need caffeine reinforcements. Immediately, I thought of a potential life with a man like Luke who didn’t imbibe caffeine, wondering if I’d have to quit. Probably not. Luke was too sweet to force me to do an unthinkable like quitting coffee. Push it away, Tate. Killjoy is here.

“Jesus! Tate! Warn me next time,” Alec said, dragging his tongue over his top lip. His eyes were wide as they surveyed my nearly naked body. “Damn! You look tasty.”

Without comment, I turned and made my way over to stand behind the kitchen island, seeking a barrier between us. My idea failed when Alec ignored my imaginary privacy wall and came to stand next to me, a foot away.

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