Page 105 of April

“Ash?” Linden yelled from downstairs.

“Yes,” Asher replied to Sophie. “She has a key. She’s early, and she’s inside. I thought she’d ring the bell. I have to go.”

“Good luck,” Sophie said.

Asher hung up the phone and tossed it on the bed. Seconds later, Linden was standing in her doorway with her hand on the open door, knocking.

“Oh, hey,” Linden greeted. “I yelled for you.”

“You’re early,” Asher said. “Very early.”

“I was… excited about tonight. Sorry.” Linden shrugged a shoulder, looking adorable in a pair of gray slacks and a white, short-sleeved button-down.

“I thought you were picking me up,” Asher said.

“I am. I’m right here.”

“Linden, you were supposed to ring the doorbell.”

“Oh.” It dawned on Linden then. “Shit. Sorry. Should I go outside, and we do this again? I can go home and come back if–”

“You’re being really, really cute right now,” Asher interrupted.

“Yeah?” Linden asked with a smile.

Asher nodded.

“So, I’mnotgoing home and coming back?”

“No,” Asher replied.

“Do you want to get dinner first, and then we can go to a movie? I’m hungry now, but we can walk around a bit first, if you want.”

“I need to get dressed. Can you give me thirty minutes?”

“Youaredressed,” Linden noted.

“I’m wearing jeans,” she argued, looking down at herself. “And an old pair, at that. I just tossed these on when I got home while I looked for something else to wear.”

“You look great,” Linden replied.

“But you’re all dressed up.”

“No, I’m not.” Linden laughed. “I mean, I’m not crazy casual, but I don’t dress up howyoudress up. I thought maybe this would be okay for a spring night in New Orleans with a beautiful girl on my arm.”

Asher felt the blush creep up her neck and said, “I’m not beautiful yet. I need thirty minutes, Linden.”

“Stand up,” Linden requested, walking toward her.

“What?”

“Just go with me here.”

Asher stood up and watched as Linden sat down in the spot on the bed she’d just occupied. Then, Linden’s hands moved to her hips, and she pulled Asher in.

“Better,” Linden said more to herself than to her. “I do not need you to dress up for me. I like you in my old LSU shirt and those sweats you bought online last year. I like you in anythingand everything you wear, really.” She rubbed her hands up and down Asher’s back under her T-shirt. “We’ll go somewhere casual for dinner tonight, okay? Then, we’ll find a movie we both want to see and go for a walk after, if you want. Or, we can just come back here. Either way, I don’t need you to put on makeup or wear heels. I just needyou, Ash. I need our second date already.” She smiled up at Asher.

“Already?”

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