Page 37 of Light My Fire Three Times
“Hey,” I call out, trying to keep my cool, but even I can hear the slight crack of excitement in it.
He straightens up when he sees me, his smirk immediately turning into something more genuine. And that smile could probably get him anything he wanted.
“Hey, beautiful,” he greets me happily.
He looks me up and down, like he’s not sure if he’s about to devour me or kiss me.
He steps toward me, making me feel like I’m under a spotlight.
“You look incredible,” he growls.
I almost forgot how to respond.
“Thanks. You, uh… don’t look so bad yourself.” I mentally slap myself for sounding like such a dork.
He chuckles, stepping even closer, and I get a whiff of his cologne. Woodsy, warm, and a little spicy. It’s the scent of someone who’s seen the world, or at least has lived like he has. He leans down, just a bit, his face coming close to mine, making my heart skip.
“Glad you noticed. Ready to go?”
I blink. “Yeah, of course.”
I take a second to compose myself, but it’s hard with Karl this close. He’s got thatthing, the way he makes you feel like everything else is irrelevant when he’s around.
He holds out his arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I can’t help but reach for it, my fingers brushing against the warm skin of his forearm. The contact sends a little jolt through me.
We walk to the truck together, and I try to ignore the fact that I’m feeling a little jittery. He opens the passenger side doorfor me, and I climb inside. The interior of his truck smells like leather and that same rugged cologne.
Once I’m settled, he slides in beside me, and the engine purrs to life.
The ride feels comfortable, but there’s an undeniable tension between us. Like we’re both testing the waters, wondering if we can move past whatever weirdness was between us last time.
I glance at him as he drives, watching the way his hands grip the wheel with that same relaxed intensity.
His tattoos peek out from beneath his sleeves, and I catch myself wondering what the stories behind them are. I can’t help but smile, more to myself than anything…
It isn’t long before we’re seated at a cozy little table for two, right near a corner where someone’s already set up a small Christmas tree, its crooked star topper tilting like it’s had a long day.
Twinkle lights wrapped around the bar flicker unevenly, and a garland with way too much glitter hangs over the specials board.
I glance around, raising a brow. “Isn’t it a little early for all this? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet.”
Karl follows my gaze and smirks. “Yeah, the staff gets way too excited. Last year, they had a blow-up reindeer by the register before Halloween.”
As if on cue, the bartender walks by wearing a pair of sparkly reindeer antlers. “Don’t judge us. Holiday spirit is contagious.”
I can’t help but laugh, leaning a little closer to Karl. “So… should I be expecting gingerbread cookies on the menu next?”
Karl chuckles, his eyes dancing. “If they are, I’m ordering them just to see your reaction.” The conversation flows so easily, it’s almost like we’ve done this a hundred times.
I find myself laughing more than I have in a long time, and it’s… refreshing.
Karl has this way of making everything feel fun. Even when he’s telling me about his embarrassing high school moments, which involved a dance off and some questionable moonwalking, I can’t help but laugh.
As dinner goes on, the tension between us starts to fade. It’s like we’re just two people enjoying a meal. Nothing more, nothing less. But the more we talk, the more I realize how much I like being around him.
He really is a good guy.
When the check comes, Karl reaches for it almost immediately.
