Page 26 of Burn With Me

“I can’t wait to hear your thoughts,” I say as I pull the chair out to sit down.

“Well, let’s get cracking,” he says, rubbing his hands together.

I look at my watch again as I sit down, knowing I have plenty of time until tonight. With that last thought, I push all my worries out of my head and focus on my meeting.

Twelve

Ameila

“This is a stupid idea. I shouldn’t go on this date,” I say as I get dressed.

Penny’s lying on the bed, watching me get ready.

“I mean, I was gone all day and couldn’t take you on a good walk. Maybe I should tell him I can’t go because I have to take you for your good walk,” I say.

But she just stands up and spins in a circle on her blanket before plopping back down.

“You’re no help,” I say as I look in the mirror.

My hair is curled in loose waves, and I have a touch of makeup on.

“Alright, sleepy girl, it’s time to go out one more time since you didn’t give me a reason to stay home.” I walk to the front door and put my Chucks on. I’m looking back at Penny when I open the door and walk into something hard, causing me to scream. “Holy fucking son of a shit.”

“You should pay attention to your surroundings.” He huffs.

“You scared the shit out of me. I was going to let Penny out,” I snap back. “It’s my house. I have a dog who needs to go out, and I wasn’t expecting you for another”—I pause as I look down at my watch—“ten minutes.”

Shaking his head, he says, “Regardless, it isn’t safe to walk out and not look around you. Plus, I’m early because if my mom found out I was late for our first date, she’d kill me.”

I turn back to him and immediately feel bad. I have no reason to get defensive. I was just startled. My thoughts immediately stop when I fully look at him. Damn, he’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. His dirty-blond hair is just long enough that you can tell he recently ran his hand through it like he’s nervous, and his green Henley brings out the specks of green in his eyes.

As my eyes make it back up to his, I see his smirk. Knowing I was busted checking him out, I blush. Penny breaks the moment by nudging my leg.

“Oh, I still have to let her outside really quick,” I say.

“No problem, we’re not in a rush,” he says, moving to the side of the door as I give her the command that it’s okay to go outside. “It’s amazing that you can just let her out and not worry about her running away.”

“I probably should. She has no fear of strangers. So if someone tried to get her in their car, she’d most likely follow,” I say as we watch her trot around to find the perfect spot.

“Oh, I have something for you. I was told that even though you grow things, you’re not a fan of flowers, but I hear you’re a fan of books,” he says and hands me a paperback.

I look down and read the title.Break Outby Marissa James.Not only did he get me a freaking book, but a hockey romance? Which is my favorite type of book.

This man surprises me more and more each time I see him.

I look at him and open my mouth to say something, then close it again. I’m at a loss for words, and I feel like a shitty person for not wanting to go on this date because this is the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time. I fight the tears in my eyes as I look back up at him.

“It was a stupid idea. You don’t have to take it. You probably already have this one,” he rushes out.

“No! No. I don’t have it. Thank you so much. This was very thoughtful, and I appreciate it. I was just thrown off because I’ve never had someone buy a book for me before,” I say as Penny comes back up to my side. We stare at each other for a moment, and then I say, “Uhh, let me just get Penny settled and grab my phone and wallet, and we can go.”

“No problem. Do you still want to grab some food on the way, or do you want to wait till after?” he asks while he stays at the door.

“Um, we can grab something quick on the way, if that’s okay?” I say over my shoulder while I hand Penny her antler.

After scratching her on the head, I turn on her dog TV and then head out the door.

Grabbing his keys from his pocket, he says, “We can see what’s on the way and grab something, or we can sit down somewhere if you want.”

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