Page 82 of That One Heartbreak

Her mom had though, taking in Kate’s cream dress, her shiny hair, and her high heels. “Oh, you look lovely.” She hugged Kate tight. “Have a wonderful time, darling.”

“By the way, do we need to have the safe sex talk?” her friend asked as Kate parked in Marley’s driveway.

“Shut up.” Kate smiled. “Who said we’re having sex?”

“You’re wearing a fuck me dress. I’d say sex is guaranteed.” Kate switched off the engine. “At least tell me you shaved.”

“Of course.” Kate rolled her eyes.

“Down there.”

Kate blinked. “It’s… tidy.” And that was all the information she intended on telling her friend. Because yes, she made sure she was ready for Marley to see her naked, if that happened. And yes, she panicked as she stared at herself naked in the bathroom mirror and saw the silvery stretch marks from having two kids and the little pooch at the bottom of her stomach that she tucked into her jeans because no matter how much she worked out it never went away.

“Anyway, he’s seen me naked,” Kate pointed out, grabbing her purse from the backseat. “I’ve got to go now. Wish me luck.”

“Good luck, and don’t forget I need all the juicy details later.”

“Goodbye, Shana,” she said firmly.

“All of them!” Shana shouted out as Kate disconnected and walked up the steps to Marley’s front door.

He opened it before she could even knock. And her heart did a little loop-the-loop. The man she was so used to seeing in sweats or jeans, or thick working pants, had dressed up for her.

He was wearing a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck. And dark gray pants that clung to his hips. As soon as she stepped inside she could smell the spiced notes of his cologne.

He took one look at her and grimaced. “Fuck,” he muttered, taking her hand and spinning her around, before marching her back down the stairs onto his broad driveway.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, frowning. “Do I look awful?”

“No.” His voice was thick. “You look beautiful. Gorgeous. I just need to have you wait outside while I grab my keys, because if you step inside my house we won’t be leaving until morning.”

Oh. She looked down at her dress. Yes, she’d chosen it specifically. It was sleeveless and made of lace, the neck a low v that revealed a hint of her cleavage. It was cut short, flaring out right above the knee, revealing her smooth legs, because yes, thank you, Shana, shehadshaved.

It took him a minute to grab his keys and wallet and lock up the house. Then he turned to look at her. Damn, this man was handsome. He filled his shirt out perfectly. The sleeves were rolled up because despite the fact it was the evening, it was still balmy outside.

“I can’t tell you how good you look,” he told her. “Seriously, you blow my mind.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She smiled at him. “I would have been happy staying in your house, by the way.”

“Don’t say that. I promised you a date. And I intend to keep my promise.”

He took her hand and led her past her own car to his truck, opening the passenger door for her. There was a little flutter in her chest. This felt so real and yet so right.

“Where are we going?” she asked as he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

“It’s a secret.” He flashed a smile at her. “We have one stop to make on the way.”

At first she thought he was driving her to Maple Cross. But he took a right off the road out of Hartson’s Creek, driving deep into the country. The sun was an orange ball in the sky as they drove through the cornfields, covering them with a bronze hue. Marley took another left, down a one-track lane, his truck lifting and falling with the divots of mud.

He pulled into a small makeshift parking lot and Kate recognized the place right away. Creek Edge Restaurant was one of the best eating establishments in the state. Famous for only serving local produce and being hard to find.

“Stay here,” he said. “I’ll be back in five.”

“Aren’t we eating here?”

He shook his head. “Nope. We’re taking some food to go.”

She vaguely remembered the restaurant was owned by Marley’s uncle and aunt, along with the farm it was attached to. Just as he promised, he was back within a couple of minutes, putting a big cooler of food in the flatbed of the truck before climbing back into the cab beside her.

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