Page 20 of Fated Shot

Okay, Mia. Keep it casual, everything is fine.

Me:Yeah, for sure.

That was good. Not too eager and definitely friendly. Zero reason to be nervous at all, just two friends hanging out.

As soon as I see the three dots appear on my screen, though, I feel a lurch in my stomach. Oh my god, I am hopeless. I set my phone down on the kitchen counter and force myself to wait before reading what comes through.Be cool. My eyes still strain, trying to read what’s appearing on the screen, which completely defeats the purpose.

Jack Brody:Cool. Do you like Mexican? There’s a great spot a few blocks away.

Mexican is good. Nothing too fancy, it’s sounding more and more friendly by the second. My body starts to relax as I go to type back.

Me:Love it, what time?

I’m killing this.With more confidence this time, I actually wait holding the phone for this reply. Big mistake on my part. The heart palpitations start the second I spot his response causing me to drop my phone. I’m just praying it didn’t shatter.

Jack Brody:I’ll pick you up at 7

It doesn’t mean anything, I try to convince myself. Friends definitely pick other friends up, for sure. Taking a deep breath, I grab my launched phone and decide to like the message, not trusting myself to muster another casual reply as I’ve officially descended into madness. This is my punishment for forgetting my key, I’m forced to demonstrate my lack of social skills to a gorgeous man. Universe- 1, Mia- 0.

The rest of the orders keep me at least somewhat busy for the remainder of the day as I package them up, box them, and have them lined up at the door for shipment tomorrow. I strip out of my flour-covered athletic wear and decide on an early shower. Two hours to get ready gives me plenty of time to try and manage my hair and decide on an outfit.

It’s nearly seven when I walk by the mirror I have leaning against my bedroom wall. After a very heated internal debate, I decided on a mauve puff-sleeved bodysuit, high-waisted jeans and sandals.Cute and casual. As my hair decided today was not the day to cooperate, I left it natural, gathering the top half into a ponytail with the rest falling into curled chaos behind my shoulders.

I settled on a coat of mascara and a little lip oil to complete my look, a fresh face suits me best anyway. I’m entirely reconsidering my lack of blush when I hear two knocks at my door. Looking directly into the mirror in a panic, the flush of my cheeks is giving me a serious blush blindness look and I decide it was probably for the best.

Pushing a few of the boxes aside, I swing open the door.

“Hey,” he says with a shy smile. He’s wearing his white Converse, light blue jeans and a pale blue button-up that makes his eyes pop even more than usual. The top button is open, and he has his sleeves rolled mid-way up, exposing the bit of tribal tattoo on his right forearm.I’m screwed.

“Hi,” is all I seem to manage as my heart starts to beat faster, eyes struggling to meet his.Nice, Mia. Great start. It’s going to be a long night, folks.

As if noticing my loss of conversational ability, he takes the lead, “Ready to go?”

I let out a nod as I step through the doorway toward him. Just as the door is about to close, he leans forward, hand catching the handle, “Wait.”

I immediately get a waft of his scent, the perfect blend of earthy and a slight citrus finish. I look up at him, instantly regretting my decision as his eyes on mine are enough to knock a small gasp out of my mouth.Smooth.

“Key?” he asks, still smiling.

Right, he’s just being cautious. I laugh, reaching into my purse to show him the keycard I threw in there.

He nods, “Good,” releasing the door as it slams closed. We walk toward the elevator as he presses the down button. The reflective steel doors open immediately, he motions for me to step inside ahead of him, then follows pressing GR instead of LB.

“We’re going to the garage?” I ask him.

“Yeah, I thought I could drive us, it’s not too far away, but figured maybe it’d be better if…”Better if we weren’t walking the streets together in broad daylight.

“Sounds good,” I chime in reassuringly. This time he nods as we silently walk through the garage to the opposite side, clearly where the Maplewood residents park.

A couple of conversationalists, I tell ya.

Jack pulls out his keys as the lights flash on a black Jeep Cherokee in front of me. Excitedly, I turn to him. “You drive a Jeep?”

He chuckles, “Yep,” as he steps to the passenger side opening the door for me.

“I have a Wrangler!” I say way too enthusiastically as I step in. He smirks, not seeming to mind my excitement.

“Jeep girl, eh? Knew I liked you.” He closes the door, leaving me to sit in the silence of his pristine car while digesting those words that send a shot of electricity to my core.

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