Page 27 of Run, Little Bunny

I expect some kind of joke or judgment, but instead, Chad squeezes my hand, and there’s no judgment. I’m not used to that reaction. Everyone always tells me I should do one of a million other things before I have kids.

“What about you?”

“I don’t know if I’m ever going to grow up.”

“Peter Pan for life?” I tease.

He shrugs. “I mean, I don’t take everything as seriously as most people. I like my job, I like that I get a lot of free time in the off-season, and I don’t have grand plans to expand or anything. I’m pretty content.”

I look at each one of his brown eyes, not really believing him. Well, not believing the last part. That he’s content.

“But are you?”

Chad tilts his head, then his fingers move to his lips. I guess that’s a deep question, and I feel nervous and ramble, “I think you’re looking for someone to spend your time with.”

“I wasn’t looking,” he says, then pauses. “But you caught my eye.”

Corny, I think, but my heart races at his flirtation. “So you’ve been coming into La Nonna for more than the pasta?”

He just smiles at me, and how did I never notice this dimple on his right cheek before?

“Chad … you never flirted with me.”

“I was getting to know you. And everything I learned, I liked.” He squeezes my hand again. “I didn’t want it to be weird.”

“You’re not weird.”

“Well … not creepy weird.”

I poke him playfully. “You are a little creepy.”

He pokes me back. “We do have a big age difference.”

“We do.” I nod, hearing my sister’s comments before pushing them aside. “But I don’t think we need to put pressure on anything. We’re two people on a date.”

He squeezes my hand again, and I love how natural this all feels. “Do you want to live around here forever?”

“I want to be close to my family. So, unless they all move, I’m here for the long haul.”

“Same,” he says, nodding. “I like being near everyone. And I really like it here.”

We both smile at each other before Chad says, “Your painting looks very close to the example.”

“I’m actually surprised it looks decent.” Then I smirk. “Can’t say the same about yours.”

“You are such a brat.” His face is really flirty looking though.

I glance at him, the memory of our kiss creeping into my mind. “I can’t believe I kissed you … bunny mask and all. That’s so crazy.”

“So crazy?”

“Kissing a stranger while blindfolded and pressed against a wall isn’t something I do every day.”

“You seemed to enjoy it,” he says, giving me a flirty look. “I’ll do it again sometime.”

“Blindfolding me?” I ask, and the look he shoots me.That could happen.The tension in the air between us right now … Ican’t hold back a smirk. “I like flirting with you,” I admit, staring at my painting.

“Me too,” he says, his hand sliding onto my thigh. My eyes shift to his hand, imagining it traveling farther, and a thrill runs through me.

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