Page 42 of You Can't Fight Lightning
Her eyes flashed to me, seeking… what? Truth?
I held her gaze, letting her see me. “What time do you want to meet? Can I pick you up?”
Roxy shook her head. “I’ll meet you there, if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine.” Like I was going to object. There was no way I’d let this—a chance to be with her—slip by. I’d agree to whatever she wanted.
“Okay, well, I’m going to head home. I didn’t plan on being out today—” Roxy stopped.
I remembered that she’d said she’d only come to tell me no, that she wouldn’t be meeting me. What had changed? I didn’t want to get into it now, although I knew I’d need to. But now, I’d rejoice in forward progress.
I resisted the urge to glance down at the book I was reading, the book about the knight and the time traveler. It was that book, or rather, my reaction to the book, that had made Roxy stay.
I hated admitting the witch Delilah had been right.
“So I want to take some time for myself.” Roxy finished her thought.
Her words made me feel there was more here than I was seeing. But wasn’t that the case with most humans? It was with gods. We never showed our entire hand. There was room for secrets. I recalled what Delilah and Tuesday told me about Roxy not being available, and that there was a story behind it.
Tonight, I’d ask her.
“Then I’ll see you at seven.” I grinned again, full of happiness and hope.
“We probably should make a reservation.” Her brows puckered a tiny bit as she frowned.
It was adorable.
I wanted to kiss her right in the spot where her forehead creased.
Everything about this woman was adorable.
This felt like when I rode the wind. High in the air, free of most distractions, just me and the clouds and the sun. No one else. It was amazing and wonderful.
Like Roxy.
“I’m on it.”
“Then I’m going to go, and I’ll see you later.” She offered me a smile that hesitated before it spread across her face.
Take it easy. Take it easy. I was ready to shout from the mountaintops, but I could see that Roxy, whatever her unavailability was, had gotten past it, and needed more time to get closer to where I was.
I’d give it to her. All the time she wanted. It’s not like I was going anywhere. I was here for as long as she wanted me.
Which could be forever, if she chose a life with me. Better not to think about that now, though.
“See you at seven.” I picked up her hand and brought it up to kiss the top of it. Gentle, easy, and then I let my hand drop, and let hers go. “I’m really glad you want to have dinner with me.”
“I think I’m glad, too.” Her eyes widened, and her hand flew over her mouth. “Oh, my god. I can’t believe I said that out loud.”
I laughed. “It’s fine. I know you have reservations. I’m okay with that. I like a challenge. See you tonight.”
Turning, I walked away. I wanted to stay, to take her in my arms and reassure her everything would be all right. But I didn’t know that for a fact, and while I could make it so via my godly talents, I wanted to do this right. Without any aid.
Which was really, really hard.
I wanted her to want me for me. Not because I was a god, but because I’d shown her I was worth taking a chance on.
And I wanted Roxy to know that she had the ability to make all the choices she wanted. That was the main takeaway from all the reading I’d done. Let your potential partner make their own choices, and respect them. Even if you didn’t like them.
