Page 21 of Fallen Angel
But she was afraid.
Her shoulders sagged. She let the map fall back on the passenger seat face down, but then she noticed something written on the back.
Take a chance on me.
Kissing Ethan had been the most thrilling experience of her life. She wondered what it would be like to go farther, to go all the way. She wasn’t a virgin still because of a lack of interest. She simply had never met a man she trusted to get that close. Could she take a chance on Ethan? Her heart raced while she considered his request.
Did she dare?
A smile spread across her face. Hell yeah!
She slid from the car and raced back up to her apartment, taking the stairs two at a time. After she called Bake Off and got her shift covered, she packed a quick bag. Her paycheck should have been deposited into her account, and there was sure to be an affordable place she could stay so that she wouldn’t have to drive home that night. Then she froze. What if Ethan wanted her to stay wherever the map took her? What if it was a hotel? Her heart started to pound at the prospect of staying overnight with him again and what that might lead to. Just the idea made her face warm. What if he asked her to stay? It was not like she knew what to do. What if she was terrible?
“Shut the hell up,” she said out loud, pretending to be Matty. It’s what he would have said to her if he could hear her inner rambling. Maybe she should call Matty and get some tips. He knew what men liked. Her heart and thoughts were beginning to race out of control. She needed to get a grip, or she was going to scare herself out of going.
Just get in the car and drive.
She grabbed her bag, and before she could start another fight with herself, she threw her door open and slammed it shut behind her. With the same determined stride, she stamped down the steps, passing Mrs. T who had chosen a blue flower for her hair that day.
“Why, hello, Angel.”
“Sorry, Mrs. T, I can’t talk today.”
“Go get him,” Mrs. T called after her.
Angel froze and looked back up the steps at the old lady dressed in a blue silk gown. “How did you know where I was going?”
Mrs. T put her hand on her waist, jutting out her hip. “You look elated and terrified, my dear—only a man has that power. Now, go. Run. Don’t stop until you’ve made Ethan yours, or I might consider him fair game,” she said with a wink.
Angel smiled and nodded. Then she turned about, dashed to her car, and started to open the door. The new cherry red paint glinted in the sun. The fine, white leather seats shone crisp and bright. She hadn’t experienced such luxury since she left home five years ago.
She faltered.
In appearance, Ethan seemed like an honest businessman. He was clearly a successful designer and investor. But how could she be certain?
“Stop it,” she ordered herself. She had to give Ethan the benefit of the doubt—after all he had done for her, he deserved her trust. Anyway, he was also painfully gorgeous and waiting for her somewhere in Maine, amid the trees and fresh air.
Once more, the thrill of the moment coursed through her. She hopped in the car, turned the engine on, and revved it for good measure. After opening her new skylight, she headed out of the city, music blasting from new speakers.
