Page 56 of A Wild Card Kiss
I hit Send as nerves rush through me. I’m asking a man out for the first time since I was dumped spectacularly. How could I not be freaking out? My skin prickles with worry. What if I read him wrong? What if I got the wrong intel? He might be secretly dating someone else and Jillian simply doesn’t know.
But I have to put myself out there if I want a chance.
So, I wait another few minutes.
Then a few more.
Ugh.
He’s not writing back.
My stomach craters to the floor. What was I thinking? He’s too good to be true. It was silly to think he was waiting for me to drop back into his life. Like he’d be ready at a moment’s notice when he could be snuggling with Miss Right this very second.
Le sigh.
I wait for thesorry, you’re too lateshoe to drop.
I’ll just…find something else to do to pass the time till he officially turns me down.
Maybe I should put on a face mask. Drop into a lotus pose. Enroll in myYoga for the dating challengedclass, since it’s become somewhat of a regular routine for me.
Harlan:Hey! Abby woke up and wanted a glass of water…so natch, I had to fetch it.
Katie:Of course! That’s part of the job, I imagine.
Harlan:Dad apparently = water fetcher, among other jobs. She’s back in bed now. But enough about me.Tell me more about this apron you want to return, Cinderella.
My heart does a cat-cow pose, stretching joyfully. Nerves begone. He’s flirting. He’s definitely flirting. But still, it’s best to ask for pertinent intel.
Katie:I will. But first. Are you still as single as the day is long?
Harlan:Woman, would I flirt with you like this if I weren’t single?
And now I can’t resist.
Katie:Are you flirting with me?
Harlan:If you can’t tell, you ought to be put over my knee and spanked with the whip you left behind.
A shiver runs down my back as I head to my bedroom, flop down on the soft pillows, and bask in his messages.
Katie:Was that an official offer to spank me?
Harlan:Put on that apron and I will make my request official.
Katie:And things are getting hot.
Harlan:But seriously, it is holy fucking good to hear from you. And since I’m a gentleman, I’m going to do something right now.
Before I can tap out a reply, my phone rings.
Settle down, woman. Be cool. Don’t let on you’re in high school again and the hot guy is calling you.“Hi.”
And it comes out like Minnie Freaking Mouse.
Real smooth, Katie.
“Hello, sweetheart. I’d love to administer a good spanking, but first things first. I’ve got a game this weekend, so how about I take you out for foosball and dinner on Tuesday?”
