Page 51 of A Wild Card Kiss
What it means that I want to see him again.
“And it was very, very good, but yes, they do end,” I say, echoing the sentiment, since I don’t want him to think I’m going to Velcro myself to him on the rebound train.
He nods toward the door. “I’ll call you a car service now. And I have some clothes for you to head home in.” After he makes a call,he strides to the living room, picks up some folded items, and offers me a pair of gym shorts and a Renegades sweatshirt. With a smile of gratitude, I take off his T-shirt and pull on the new duds. I swim in both of them, the shorts slipping down my waist.
He holds up one finger. “I’ve got something for that.” He heads into the kitchen and returns ten seconds later. He hands me an apron with snowmen printed on it. “Take this. Wrap it around your waist.”
I grin in approval. “It’s a life hack for a belt.”
He winks. “You got it.”
“It’s also a Christmas apron. You own a Christmas apron?” I ask, sort of in awe. It’s so freaking cute, I don’t know what to do with how sweet it is.
“I own many. I was born on Christmas.”
Nothing has made more sense than that. “Of course you were,” I say. I tie the makeshift apron-slash-belt and head to the entryway, pull on my cowboy boots, and grab my clutch. “Can you just toss the remains of my wedding dress?”
“Consider it done.”
“Thanks for that. And for tearing it off me.”
“Oh, I assure you, the pleasure was definitely mine.”
“And mine too.” I draw a deep breath. Here goes the hard part. I hate to do this, but I have to. “I really want to see you again. But…”
Harlan shoots me a resigned smile. “I know. Wrong timing.”
I smile so damn sadly. “Worst timing ever,” I say, choking up a little.
Yup, the whirligig of emotions knocks me around again. “Ithink I need to sort out everything that’s happened.” But I can’t stand the thought of walking away. “But what if we try again? Maybe in the fall? That feels like enough time. But duh. The fall is for football. You’ll be busy with the game.”
“I will, but I’d love to see you again. Maybe the third time will be the charm.”
I sure hope so.
When the car arrives at the curb, he sets the Indiana Jones hat on my head, then kisses me goodbye. I glance down at my get-up. “I should return all your clothes to you. Do you want me to drop them off later? Leave them on your porch?”
He waves a hand dismissively. “I’ve got plenty of aprons, shorts, and sweatshirts to keep me busy till the fall. Why don’t you return them when you’re ready for that date?”
My heart warms at that. I wish I were ready now. But I’m not. “I will.”
I leave, decked out in his clothes, my new hat, my old boots, and an apron.
I’m a mess, but I’m happier than I was yesterday evening.
And I’m a little hollow too.
Imagine that.
The Fall
Chapter 17
Katie
One more lap.
I push through the cool, blue water, burst above the surface, then breaststroke my way to the end of the pool. When I hit the edge of the deep end, I slap my palm on the concrete and indulge in several long breaths.
