Page 64 of Falling for Autumn Again

I’ve never seen the new bare root driver in anything but dirty jeans, a T-shirt, and a cap before. I almost didn’t recognize him.

An extremely shirtless Ezra follows in after me, not even bothering to cover himself. At the very least, hold a throw pillow in front of yourself, man!

I push open the screen door, my eyes unnaturally wide. I can feel them, but I can’t stop them. “Oh!” I say much too loudly—Dessie probably had to turn her hearing aid down over at the main house. “You’re here!”

The man whose name my internal database is searching for gives me a wry smile. “You forgot,” he says, his eyes sliding from me to Ezra.

Ezra… who is now puffing out his chest like he’s a male peacock in the ring with his biggest rival.

A hysterical laugh titters from my lips and I wave away his comment. "I didn't forget. Nope. No way. I one hundred percent remembered that we have a…date.Tonight. At this exact moment in time." I swallow because I have no idea what time it is. I tap my wrist, though I'm not wearing a watch. I am drunk on Ezra's cologne and can't even remember the sapling driver's name.

“See?” I nod for effect and peer down at myself. “That’s exactly why I’m wearing clothes. I mean, I always wear clothes.” I can’t help it, my eyes slide over to Ezra, who can’t claim the same thing. “Okay, well, not always. A girl needs to shower. But usually, I’m dressed. Head to toe. Not even a shoulder to be seen.”

I puff air into my cheeks, forcing myself to shut up. Then, because I just can’t stop myself, I blow the air out and add, “However, tonight I put oncleanclothes—because I did not forget about our date at all,Chip.” I add his name at the very last second—it comes to me like a miraculous offering.

One of his brows dips. “Kip.”

Okay, not so miraculous.

I point two pistol fingers his way. “That’s what I meant.”

What kind of material is this dumb shirt? Because I amsuddenly sweating like a pig and I’m pretty sure if I lift one arm, there will be a wet ring the size of Texas in my pits.Fabulous. I should have kept the tags on this one.

“You have a date?” Ezra says beside me, his tone full of offense.

Nope—he doesn’t get to be offended. He left. And sure, I told him to go. But still, he left. He went to college, got engaged, and he doesn’t get to find fault with me dating. Not now, not ever.

“You look busy,” my not-so-tall, dark, and handsome date says.

“No.” I shrug and wrinkle up every inch of my face. It’s not cute—I am certain. “I’m not busy. Not at all.”

“But—” He looks directly at Ezra, who chooses to toss an arm around my shoulders at that very moment.

I push off his hand, letting that arm fall back to his side.

“Him?” I laugh. “Um, he’s homeless. Just some homeless, shirtless guy who needed to eat.”

“Homeless? Aren’t those Tommy Bahama jeans?”

Huh. Chip knows brands. Even I don’t know brands.

“Yep. From before my homeless days,” Ezra says, not even batting an eye at the fact that I’ve announced his misfortune to this man whose name I am going to be sure of before the night is over.

I titter out another fake and fairly obnoxious laugh at his words. “Um, Chip, this is Ezra—”

“Kip,” he says, correcting me once more.Dang it.In my defense, he really does look like a Chip.

I dip my head in a nod. “Yep. That’s what I said.Kip.” But then, it doesn’t sound right. Maybe Chip should consider changing his name. I motion a hand to this man who is more a stranger than an acquaintance. “Ezra, this is Kip, who… Ilike… very much.”

Kip smiles. Not only did I get his name right, but I praised him in the process.

“Ezra was just leaving.”

“I thought we were going to eat,” Ezra says.

“Iameating. With Chip. And you’re leaving. I can’t take care of all your needs, Mr. Bennett. Go find a shelter.”

A small sigh falls from my date’s chest. “Um, just bowling actually. I mean, if you want nachos, I think they have nachos at the counter.”

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