Page 36 of So Right
“Okay, you caught me. I actually hoped I’d run into you. In fact, I was on my way to The Arch and Vine.”
Somehow, the spontaneity of their meeting had made it seem…safer. Which was stupid. He wasn’t unsafe. What the hell was wrong with her?
A guy’s interested in you, and you’re paralyzed. Duh. That’s what’s wrong with you.
“You were?”
He nodded. “I just…I’ve been thinking about you a lot since Monday, and I just… Wow, my speaking skills are really stellar here.” He rubbed his hand along his unshaven jaw.
She laughed. “You’re fine.”
“Well, I just wanted you to know. That I was thinking of you. That I hope we’re friends. I really would like to be.”
Men and women could be friends of course. It was just that Kelsey didn’t have any guy friends. She thought of the men she worked with—George, Mick, and the others. She supposed they were friends. But maybe not. It wasn’t as if she did things with them outside work. Until she and Brooke had become friends, she hadn’t done anything with anyone outside work.
The courage she’d been hoping for a little while ago gathered inside her. “I was thinking I might want to go to Oktoberfest after all. I’ll tag along with you, if you don’t mind.”
He didn’t immediately answer, and she held her breath. His brow furrowed slightly and he stared at her a moment. “Okay, that’s twice now I’ve asked you out and you’ve declined only to change your mind. Is this how you do things? Because it’s a bit demoralizing.”
Ouch. She deserved that. “No, it’s not how I do things. Honestly, I’m terribly out of practice. Forget I said anything. You should probably run in the other direction.”
He lightly touched her forearm and guided her toward the building. She realized someone needed to walk by, and they were sort of hogging the sidewalk.
His gaze was steady and warm as he looked at her. “I don’t want to run the other way. I want to take you to Oktoberfest. On a date. Just so we’re clear.”
A date. That sensation of wanting to fall into his eyes stole over her again. This time, she didn’t shrink away. “Okay.”
His lips curved into a handsome smile. “Okay. I’ll pick you up at six, if that works.”
“Yep, that’s great. See you then.” Neither one of them moved for a moment. “I need to get back to work. My lunch is over.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll walk with you since I’d planned to pick up lunch anyway.”
They crossed the street, and when they reached the other side, she turned to look at him. “You can meet my grandmother. She’s inside flirting with George.”
He grinned. “That sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to give George a hard time.”
She elbowed him as they approached the door. “Be nice. They’re very cute.”
“I bet. I was only teasing. I’m happy for them both.”
“He’s taking her to Oktoberfest on Saturday too.”
He opened the door for her. “Should we double-date?”
“God, no.” She slapped her hand over her mouth. “Well, that sounded terrible.” She laughed. “I only meant that I don’t want to intrude on them. But it was nice of you to offer.”
“In all honesty, now that I finally get to take you on a date, I don’t really want to share you either.”
A giddy heat skipped through her. Gram was still seated at the bar, though her shandy glass was empty.
George’s gaze flicked over them. “What did you drag in with you, Kelsey?”
Luke laughed, and Kelsey shook her head. Gram turned on the stool and surveyed Luke intently.
“Gram, this is Luke Westcott,” Kelsey said. “I went hiking with him the other day.”
Gram nodded. “This is the young man.” She held out her hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Luke. Call me Ruby.”
