Page 104 of Unmasking Love
"Can I meet you after work tomorrow and take you on a date?"
"Sure. I've got an appointment with a client at 5:30. Do you want to meet me at the office or back here?"
My smug grin spreads because she's talking about our place. This apartment that she moved into today. She still has some unpacking to do but she's not just spending the night tonight. She'll get ready here in the morning. Come back here after work. Well, after the date I have planned. "Nah, I'll meet you there. I'll have Felix drop me off or I'll get a car over and then we'll take yours to the date and back home."
"Okay. Do I get to ask what we're doing?"
"Do you want to ask what we're doing?" Harper lets out an annoyed little laugh but I can't help it. Her job is centered around the client, their wants, needs, and opinions but even in her personal life she isn't assertive. I don't mind it, I actually love a bit of control, but I want to know what she wants. What she needs. What her opinions are. Maybe I'm going about it in an immature manner but it's working.
"What are we doing for our date?" She asks with an adorable little eye roll. There she is.
"It's a surprise."
"Aiden!" She sits up and playfully smacks my chest. Damn I love that she doesn't treat me like I'm fragile.
"Don't get all riled up sweetheart, we've got to get to sleep." I tease as she settles down in my arms. I pull her towards me and press a kiss to her head. I leave my nose there and inhale her sugar, spice, and sweaty scent.
She's Harper. My Harper. And she's home.
***
Call me selfish but the reason I didn't want Harper coming home before this date was because she had laid her clothes out the night before and I wanted to take her on our date in that outfit. She walks out of the office and smiles at me in her short skirt, tights, and comfy turtleneck sweater. The boots are an added bonus but she's not going to need them tonight.
I'm in joggers, a t-shirt, and a thick shirt that's almost like a jacket. January in D.C. is mild, nothing compared to Minnesota or Canada growing up.
"Hey babe!" She calls as she steps closer. I pivot off where I was leaning against her car and open my arms welcoming her in for a hug. Harper's body melts into mine and when our lips brush softly it's a struggle to keep the kiss chaste.
"Tell me about your day." I say as I take her keys and open her door.
"It was fine."
I close the door and let her think she's done answering me. When I climb into the driver's seat and start the ignition I push further. "What about it was fine?"
"I don't know. It was a normal day. Emails, a few phone calls, a meeting, a showing. Honestly, it wasn't anything special. Tell me about your day." She counters trying to be a little sassy.
"Coach had me lead a discussion about Chicago's new plays. Last week I brought him a few highlights that caught my eye. They're changing up their zone entry to try and create space between their forwards and the defense. It's like they'll full gas until they cross the blue line and then they throw it into neutral and idle. The defenders are skill skating like crazy and end up giving them room to pass and set up a play."
"That's interesting."
"Well, the play itself is only interesting to me and the team. But I'm sharing because you inspired me."
"I did?"
"Well, yeah." I glance over at her and see this little divot in her brow. "At the gala I decided I was going to go after what I wanted and that's to be a leader on the team. I've put in more work during my downtime and today, it paid off."
"That's great Aiden."
"Yeah, I'm feeling good about it." I pull into the parking lot of the practice facility.
"What are we doing here?" She asks as I turn off the car.
"This is our date." I tell her.
"Seeing you practice?"
"Nope." I chirp as I get out. She's learned to wait in the car. When I open her door I continue. "It's your turn to practice."
"Aiden, I can't skate." She says firmly.
