Page 5 of Protective

I nod as though she can see me, and a smile grows on my face as I say, “I had fun today. Do you want to do this again tomorrow at the same time?”

My stomach tightens as I wait for her response. This is the first time I’m praying a woman wants a second date. Hopefully, I didn’t mess things up back there.

The red light above the speaker flashes faster and faster. I think I read somewhere that means we have thirty seconds remaining.

“Sounds good. Same time tomorrow.”

I’m not sure what just happened, but I can’t wait to do it again.

Chapter Three

Heather

“He’s nice.”

My friend Trish stares at me from across the room with a bowl of popcorn in her lap. “That’s it? He’s nice?”

“Yeah, I mean, he’s funny, down to Earth, and I’m excited to see how tomorrow goes.” I shrug and grab a handful of popcorn from her bowl.

“Oh my God, you’re impossible. Tell medetails. What does his voice sound like? How does he talk? Can you imagine him stripping off your clothes and doing dirty things to you?”

I shake my head and try not to laugh at her. “He talks like a human. He seems very romantic, and—”

“Romantic, how?” She slides more popcorn in.

“Like he talked about his grandparents and their love story, and I don’t know, he just seemed nice.”

She groans as though she’s living through my words. “So, you can see him stripping off your clothes?”

“I can see him holding the door open for me, planning dates, and listening to my feelings without twisting it all back on me. At this point, that would be a dream.”

“But you can’t see him stripping you down?” Her tone is sarcastic, as though the aforementioned isn’t enough.

“Stop.”

“No! This is the juicy part. I want to know everything! Aren’t you curious about what he looks like?”

I grab another handful of popcorn. “I thought it was going to be a bigger deal, but talking to him without worrying about my outfit, what my hair was doing, or what facial expressions I was making made the whole date a lot easier.”

She twists her long hair to her shoulder. “Did he sound younger or older?”

That’s something I haven’t come to terms with yet. “A lot older.”

“You sound weirded out. Are you?”

I think over the question carefully. I’m not sure if I’m weirded out by that or not. On the one hand, I did say I was sick of boys. On the other hand, I’m not sure what an older man does for fun. Then again, maybe he just sounds older, though he did say he’s retired military.

“I don’t know yet. I just have to see how it works. I mean, I kind of like the idea that he’s past all the games and he’s ready for a commitment. It shows he’s grown and knowledgeable enough to know how to treat a woman without having to be taught.”

She nods her head. “Yeah, I mean, thatissomething. Teaching a man how to treat you is the worst.”

“Exactly! I’ve got no time for that! Come in knowing the basics or get lost!” I stuff another handful of popcorn into my mouth, spilling most of it onto the floor. What is it with popcorn always evading being eaten? “So, when are you signing up?”

She chokes as her laughter fills the room. “Not happening. Thanks for asking, though. You see the note from Bryan?”

“What?” My brows narrow and my stomach tightens. When is this going to stop? “No. Where? Like he was here?”

“Left it in the mailbox. No postage on it, so he drove by to drop it off.”

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