Page 19 of The Art of Dying

“Well, I love hanging out with you, and you’re only here for a few more weeks, right?”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Right, but I’m not going to peace out and never talk to you again. If that’s what you’re—”

“What I’m trying to say is that I’d love to have supper with you, because I want to get to know you better before you go.”

“So, you didn’t mean you just want to have fun for a few weeks before I head out? Because I don’t see this working that way. I have a feeling you’re going to turn my whole world upside down.”

She smiled. “You catchin’ feelings after one night, Marine?”

“Pfft…” I scoffed, trying to play it off. There was no use. She saw right through me. I winced, knowing the only way to win this girl over was being vulnerable. So, I did it the only way I knew how. “You bustin’ my balls because I’m serious about you, Mack?”

Her grin widened. “Want to get breakfast, too? I’m starving.”

I breathed out a laugh. “Yeah. I’ll run home, warm up the truck and pick you up in fifteen?”

She nodded.

I stood up, got dressed, and she walked me the few steps to the door in her white fluffy robe. I pulled on the belt to release the knot and then slipped my hands underneath, pulling her against me. Every second she didn’t kick me out or voice regret for what we’d done I wanted to punch the air in celebration.

I put my lips on hers, noticing when she pulled me even closer.This is fucking happening.

“Kitsch?” she said as she hugged me goodbye.

Oh, fuck.

“I just… wanted to say… um… I meant it when I said I don’t normally operate like that. I’m a third or fourth date kind of girl.”

“Well, how about you let me take you on three or four dates to make up for it?”

She smiled. “Just three or four?”

“As many as you’ll let me.”

She bit her lip, then shook her head, trying to keep herself from smiling wider—and failing. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

I nodded, walking backward down her steps and then waving before I passed through her gate. I’d heard about people saying they felt like they were walking on air after a night like that, but I never thought I’d experience it for myself. I tried not to jog home, but once I was there, I rushed through a shower and threw on a fresh hoodie, a pair of jeans, and a knit hat, laced up my boots and hopped into my truck, letting the engine warm up for just a couple minutes before I drove to her front door.

Before I could make it to her porch, she was already outside, her turquoise scrubs wrapped in a big, puffy coat. She locked the door behind her and climbed through the passenger door I was holding open. When I climbed in behind the wheel, she leaned into me when I kissed her cheek.

“I can just drop you off at work after breakfast, then pick you up. What time do you get off? Three?”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, waving me away. “I can catch a ride with Alecia.”

“It’s up to you, but I’ll be over that way, anyway.”

“Oh? What are you doing on that side of town at three o’clock?”

I smiled. “Picking you up from work.”

She pressed her lips together, almost giddy. My heart damn near exploded to see that she was as excited about this as I was. I put the gear in drive and turned over my hand, waiting for her to slide her little fingers between mine. And I about shit a wildcat when she did.

As we drove to Bixby’s Café, through coffee and pancakes and the whole ride to the hospital, I was sure I was grinning like an idiot. Mack didn’t seem to mind. It wasn’t until I parked near the side door that I suddenly felt nervous. What if she changed her mind at work? What if the high wore off and she started worrying I was just another Mason?

I hopped out and jogged around to open her door, trying to think of something to say to remind her I wasn’t.

She looked at the building behind me and then sighed. “Ireallydon’t want to go to work today.” Her gaze returned to mine, as if she were trying to read my thoughts.

“It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you called in sick. You wouldn’t be lying if you told them I took care of you in bed all day.”

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