Page 57 of Here's to Now

We end up going to Vern’s. I had a split second of worry that Hudson and Rae or even Tucker might come barging into the restaurant at any moment and demand to know what I was doing with Haley. Then I figured,fuck it.I’m a grown ass adult and can have dinner with whomever I please. So, we went, and it was good.

“Where in the hell are you taking me?”

I glance over to the passenger seat where she’s sitting as close to the edge of her seat as the seatbelt will allow. She’s staring out the front window, her eyebrows scrunched in concentration.

“Nowhere you’ve been before.”

She turns to me. “Oh yeah? And how do you know?”

I shrug. “I just do. I can read people.”

“Are we headed downtown?”

“Yep.”

She huffs indignantly. “I’ve been downtown before, rude ass.”

“But have you been tomydowntown?”

“Probably.”

“I doubt it.”

Haley gives another puff, grumbling something incoherent to herself. Smiling, I concentrate on the road, and do my best to keep my emotions in check.

I’m edgy as fuck right now. I’ve never taken anyone to my spot before.

Wait. Shit. That’s a lie. I’ve taken Tucker. He’s been here plenty before, but that’s different. Tucker isn’t a girl, and he’s definitely not a girl who makes my heart race, my fucking palms itch with the urge to touch, and my moods shift on a dime.

Nope, Tuck isn’t just a dick, he’s got a dick, and I’m not into that.

As we move closer and closer to our destination, my nerves jump and fizzle. What if she hates it? What if it disgusts her? It’s so far from her scene she demands to leave instantly? What if…I’m not good enough? Shit. This was a horrible idea. The thought of her hating a huge part of what makes me who I am sends my brain into overdrive, images of her frowning at what I place in front of her fill my mind. She’s going to hate it, and I’m going to puke.

My left leg starts jiggling up and down, the anticipation killing me as we turn down the street we’re destined for. Miraculously, I find a place to park relatively quickly. I turn toward Haley, watching as she glances around, trying to figure out where exactly it is we’re headed.

“Hales,” I say quietly. Her gaze finds mine. Using her nickname catches her full attention. “If anything at all makes you feel uncomfortable, just tell me. We’ll leave immediately. Sometimes this place can be rough, but no one is going to bother you. I promise.”

Her eyes widen for a brief moment. “Based on the words you just spoke, I feel like I’m supposed to be afraid, but with you, I’m not. I trust you, Gaige. That’s not going to change.”

Suddenly, all my nerves settle. We’ll be okay. This will be okay.

I nod and exit the car, jogging over to her side. Grabbing her hand, I lead her from the vehicle, steering her down the street about half a block. She’s too busy taking in the sights around us to ask questions. When we stop in front of the shop, I take a deep breath and glance down at her. She’s confused.Veryconfused.

“This is where we’re going?”

I nod.

“Why?”

“Because this ahugepart of who I am.”

“I’ve seen you practically naked. Nothing indicates this.”

Shrugging, I say, “Just because you own a daycare doesn’t mean you have children. We can be passionate about something and not have anything in our lives directly related to it.”

Her lips purse together, eyes hard, nod stiff. “Fair enough.” She waves toward the door. “Show me your world, Gaige.” I reach out to grab the handle, pushing open the door as she teasingly says, “And rock mine.”

I can’t suppress the full-body chuckle that rumbles through me.

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