Page 22 of Wild Dreams

"I'll pick it up and meet you at your house." I preferred frequenting the local businesses on my off time so I could keep up relations.

"Sounds like a plan." Marigold's hand slipped away as she got into her SUV.

I closed the door and stepped back so she could pull out of the lot. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was looking forward to seeing a woman.

When her taillights disappeared, I got into my truck and headed to the local pizzeria. I ordered a couple of pies, then chatted with the employees until they were ready.

The owner, Marcus, carried my pizzas to me. "Enjoying a night off?"

"I am," I said.

"Good for you," Marcus said as he opened the door for me. "Have a good night."

"You too." What did it say about me that everyone in town noticed when I took time for myself? Maybe I was pushing myself too hard.

I was going to enjoy this evening with Marigold and not worry about what it meant that I was attracted to her. I'd worry about my job and everything else another time.

I parked on the curb in front of Marigold's house, carrying the warm boxes to her porch. It was a small house in town that was well maintained with trimmed bushes.

I didn't think I'd been to Marigold's house since the day we helped her move in, and there were a lot of us carrying boxes and furniture that day.

Tonight was different. It was just me and her. I knocked on the door, determined not to second-guess myself for being alone with Marigold.

When it opened, Marigold had changed into comfortable-looking sweats and a cropped T-shirt that clung to her curves and revealed a sexy sliver of skin. "You came."

"You thought I'd cancel?" I asked her as I stepped inside, and she closed the door behind me.

"More that something would come up."

"I'm not on call tonight." I usually stayed in the loop whether I was working or not, but tonight, I'd made a conscious choice not to check in. If I was needed, they knew how to contact me. "You changed?"

Marigold shrugged as she led the way down the narrow hallway to her kitchen that had been painted a soft yellow. White curtains hung on the lone window, and a slider led to the back patio.

I set the boxes on the counter.

Marigold reached for plates in a cabinet, and her shirt lifted, revealing her toned stomach. I swallowed hard. I shouldn't be thinking about Marigold's bare skin.

I plated the slices while she grabbed a couple of waters.

"Let's eat in the living room."

I grabbed the plates and followed her into the living room where a fire was already crackling in the hearth. Soft music played from the TV, and she sat on the floor by the coffee table.

"You always eat in here?"

"I usually eat in the kitchen, but it's kind of sad when you're eating for one." Then Marigold snapped her mouth shut like she hadn't meant to reveal something that personal.

"I know what you mean." I also came home to an empty house.

We ate our pizza, and when I was full, I leaned back on the couch, stretching my legs out on the rug that covered the wood floors. I tipped my head in the direction of the books she'd brought home and that were now stacked on the table next to our plates. "What do you have for me?"

"I haven't read these, but they all came recommended from one of the patrons who reads everything thriller. He said if you liked the last book, you'll love these."

I picked one up, turning it over to read the back summary.

Marigold moved next to me, so close I could feel a huff of her breath on my skin.

I wished this were a date, and I was contemplating the best way to kiss her for the first time. I could wait until I walked to the door at the end of the night, but there was something enticing about Marigold dressed casually and kneeling on the floor.

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