Page 23 of Legends Luke

Luke flexed his hands while he waited for Ben to disappear. Then he lightly touched Melody’s elbow.

“I’ll walk you to your car.”

He noticed a flash of disappointment before she schooled her features. “It’s not necessary.”

“It is if I want to talk to you without my brother spying on us.”

Her chuckle eased his tension. They stepped outside and walked toward her car.

“First of all, I’m sorry I didn’t call. I had to take care of something out of town, and it’s not something I can talk about. I didn’t want you to think I was being cagey about what was going on, so I decided to wait until I got back. I regret waiting, but I do not regret asking you out for Saturday.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business why you went out of town. I guess all of these stupid blind dates have made me suspicious. I think the guys are interested in me, and it’s never worked out. It starts to give a girl a negative complex about herself, you know?”

They stopped beside her car. He lightly cupped her chin and raised her eyes to meet his. “Those blind dates were dumbasses. It’s their loss, not yours.”

He was pleased to see the smile curving her lips and the light appear in her whiskey-colored eyes.

“Thank you. But if you have too much going on for us to go out Saturday, it’s really okay. We can always do it another day.”

“Do you have the afternoon free? I’ll pick you up at two, and we can spend the afternoon and evening together.” It wasn’t like him to offer to spend so much time with a woman he barely knew, but once he made the offer, he realized how much he looked forward to the date and hoped she agreed.

She tilted her head, and he dropped his hand, his fingers tingling from the lost contact. He wished he knew what she was thinking, but her expressive eyes were closed off as she regarded him.

“Let’s start with dinner and see how it goes. Pick me up at six. Whatever you plan, keep it casual.”

He wasn’t sure what he expected her response to be, but her counteroffer wasn’t it. Her confidence was back, and he was happy to see it.

“I have no problem with casual. I’ll see you Saturday at six.”

She unlocked the car door and slipped inside. Before she closed the door, she gave him one last look. “I’ll text you my address later. See you Saturday.”

Luke stood in the parking lot until Melody drove out of sight. He no longer felt tired. Instead, his body buzzed with anticipation. When he started his truck, he finally headed toward home, but his intentions changed to include a shower and a plan for an unforgettable date on Saturday.

Chapter Eleven

Melody fumbled the key as she slipped it into the lock, grunting in frustration at how long it was taking to get inside her house. When she finally heard the lock click, she pushed against the door as she twisted the knob. Her shoulder connected with the wooden frame a bit harder than she meant it to, but she didn’t take time to massage the spot even though it would likely bruise by tomorrow. She barely paused to secure the door. She rushed through her living room, haphazardly dropping her purse and keys on an end table. She was half walking, half jogging by the time she headed down the hallway to her bedroom.

She toed off her shoes while removing her phone from her pocket with one hand and pulling the elastic from her hair with the other. Her phone screen lit up as soon as she glanced at it, the device vibrating in her hand. The grimace twisting her face could have been at the time display as much as the incoming call from Lyric. She placed the call on speaker as she rushed into the bathroom.

“Can't talk right now, Bird.” She set the phone on the counter by the sink so she could start the water warming for a shower.

“Then why answer?”

“Because you'd keep calling if I didn't.”

Lyric giggled. “You’re right. So, are you washing dishes or something? “

“I was hoping to get a shower really quick.”

“Why the rush?”

“Look, can I call you later or tomorrow?” Melody peeled her blouse off and unbuttoned her pants.

Lyric gasped. “OMG! You have a date, don’t you?”

Melody sighed. “Yes, and I’m running late. So can I call you back?”

“No! Leave me on speaker, so we can talk while you’re in the shower.”

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