Page 12 of Twink Heart

?Every time I looked at James, I couldn’t see past how hot he was. I never thought I’d be thinking that another man was hot, but there it was. I wasn’t sure if it was his lithe form, the beautiful blue eyes, or the way his shirt rode up when he stretched that made me drool like a dog.

?Of course, he caught me looking the first time he did it. After that, he did it at least three more times, confirming that I couldn’t stop myself from staring. That was after I called him cute, which might have given him a little bit of a hint as to what I was after. I couldn’t tell if he was just toying with me or interested. Either way, I was like a fish on a hook and I couldn’t fight where James was concerned. I was swimming toward him willingly, knowing full well that this entire experiment could bring my entire self-image crashing down around me.

?But even with all that risk, the way he smiled at me gave my heart the tiniest lift out of the darkness. When those bright blue eyes looked my way, I forgot how depressed I was for half a second and the world seemed brighter. It only took a couple of those before I was hooked. Now I needed it like I needed air and no matter what I did, I couldn’t get him off my mind.

?With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and flipped open the texting app. Sitting around torturing myself about texting him wasn’t going to help me accomplish anything. I wanted to see him again, I knew that. I just hoped I wasn’t making another huge mistake that would cost me dearly.

Me: Hey James, what’s up?

James: Howdy stranger! I was wondering when you were going to reach out! I was starting to think I’d scared you off! :P

Me: You didn’t. Just a busy week.

James: I get that. Hopefully you’re less busy now?

Me: Yeah. Happy for the weekend I guess. But kinda bored. Not sure what to do around here.

James: So you texted me?

Me: Yes?

James: I’m honored :) What would you like to do?

Me: I don’t know. Something I guess. What’s there to do?

James: Well, there’s lots of nature around here if that’s your thing. Or there’s a pretty decent bowling alley that does glow-bowl on Friday nights.

Me: Glow-bowl? Are you in middle school?

James: No, I just like to have fun! :) Besides, you’re not exactly geriatric you goof

Me: I’m a helluva lot older than twelve though.

James: Age is just a number! But if you don’t want to do that, we could go on a hike through the dunes. It’s a great place to watch the sunset.

Me: That seems more my speed. Lots of noisy people and bowling balls is… meh.

James: What have you got against balls?

Me: Haha. Very funny. I can see why you like glow-bowl night. You’ve got that middle school humor.

James: I can’t help it I have good taste in comedy :P I’ll meet you at the state park in an hour?

Me: Sounds good.

?I slipped my phone in my pocket and got up from the couch. If I was going hiking, I’d need to find something appropriate to wear. Considering I’d only grabbed my flip-flops and junky tennis shoes on the way out of my old life, I needed to make a trip to the store.

???

?“Ooh,” James cooed the moment I stepped out of my SUV. “Nice boots.”

?“Thanks,” I grimaced. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice. But I didn’t have enough time to scuff them up before going to the park. “I didn’t have any hiking shoes.”

?“You should’ve asked,” James said, glancing down at his bare feet and wiggling his toes. “You won’t need any.”

?“Uh… you aren’t worried about glass or anything?”

?“Nope! I’ve been hiking out here a million times without shoes and I never have any issues.” He smiled wide, his bright eyes catching the sunlight. “People around here are really good about taking care of the environment. They just know how special this place is.”

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