Page 55 of January

“And you can see what’s there in the bedroom.”

“How about I just focus on not trying to put too much pressure on it, and you leave me alone to do that?”

“Fine. Fine. But that’s boring.”

Melinda plugged her phone into the charger and caught sight of another text on the screen.

Kyle Schafer: I wanted to say goodnight again. Can you let me know when you’re back at the hotel? Just to make sure you’re safe.

“She’s adorable,” Melinda stated out loud.

“Who?”

“She wants me to text to make sure I’m back safe.”

“Thatisadorable, damn it,” Bridgette replied.

Melinda sent a quick text back to Kyle and then took her time in the bathroom when Bridgette was done. Later, when she was already in bed, she rolled onto her side, picked up her phone from the table, and saw another message from Kyle.

Kyle Schafer: I’m glad you’re in for the night. Sweet dreams. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Melinda texted her back and put the phone away.

“You totally wish you were alone right now so that you could call her, don’t you?” Bridgette asked.

“Yes,” Melinda admitted with a smile before she rolled onto her back, thinking about Kyle and no longer picturing that look of disappointment on her face.

CHAPTER 15

“Idon’t have date clothes,” she noted.

“You weren’t planning on going on dates here,” Jolie replied, staring down at the clothing options Kyle had laid out all over the bed. “You have that button-down.”

“It’s black.”

“So?”

“So, is black really the best for a first date?”

“It’s short-sleeved, and you can toss this cardigan over it,” Jolie said, lifting a gray cardigan Kyle wasn’t sure was hers.

“Isn’t that yours?”

“Itis, but I’m gifting it to you for this date. I do expect it back eventually. It’s light-gray, which will lighten up the black. And wear your nicest jeans. I can’t believe you didn’t bring any other shoes.”

“I know. I’m regretting that now,” she said, taking the sweater from Jolie.

“If we were the same size, I’d leave you a pair of mine, but you’d bust out of them.”

Kyle laughed and said, “Should I go buy some? I have time.”

“You’d risk blisters. How much walking will you be doing?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, what have you planned so far?”

“She just said yes last night. I was up for hours, trying to think of something to do, but she’s probably done literally everything here.”

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