Page 29 of Bones

“Never said we weren’t... Just bring the damn coat.”

And just like that, my bad day took a turn.

For five years, I’d hoped for this chance. I’d convinced myself that I wasn’t the right guy for Elsie—that she deserved more than I could give her. I could still remember the harsh things my father said, and no matter how many times I was told they weren’t true, there was a part of me that still believed them. It was one of the many reasons that I’d kept my distance from Elsie.

I still had my doubts, but I was going to stop holding back and let Elsie decide if I was the man she truly wanted. It was a risk. I could get my heart ripped into shreds, but for her, I was willing to take that chance.

I was going to do everything in my power to make sure I didn’t fuck it up.

I was going to make our date a night to remember.

It wouldn’t be easy. I didn’t know much about dating, but I did know Elsie. I knew the things she liked and didn’t like. I would use that to my advantage and plan a night she wouldn’t soon forget.

I spent the better part of the following day getting everything ready, and while it took some work, I felt good about what I had planned. I took a shower, then put on my favorite jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt. I decided to leave my cut at home. We’d both shared a great deal of our lives with the club. I wanted this night to be just about us.

I got to the clubhouse right at six o’clock. I was feeling both nervous and excited as I made my way down the hall to her room.

I knocked, and seconds later, the door opened, and Elsie appeared with a bright smile. She looked absolutely breathtaking in her white cable-knit sweater, fitted jeans, and tall boots. Her long, red hair was down with one side pulled up in a small butterfly barrette, and it shimmered and shined just like her beautiful green eyes. “Hey.”

“Hey.”

“You look very handsome.”

“You look incredible.” A light blush swept across her cheeks as I said, “But then again, you always do.”

“Well, that’s not exactly true, but sweet of you to say so.” Before I could argue, she reached for her coat and purse. “You ready to go?”

I nodded, then waited as she stepped out into the hall and closed her door. I followed her down the hall and out into the parking lot. I walked over and opened the passenger side door for her, then waited for her to get settled before I closed it. I was trying to play it cool, but it wasn’t easy when my heart was pounding, and my palms were sweating. I took a deep breath, then got in the truck and started the engine. “You all set?”

“I think so.” She pressed her lips together, then asked, “Where exactly are we going?”

“To dinner and a movie. Just like I told you.” She gave me a disapproving look—which I found adorable. “You’ll see soon enough. Be patient.”

“Patience isn’t one of my strong suits.”

“Oh, I know.” I started out of the gate as I muttered, “I know all too well.”

I expected a rebuttal, but all I got was silence. Elsie nervously wrenched her hands in her lap for several minutes, then toyed with the latch on her purse for several more. When that didn’t help, she reached over and turned on the radio. “Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

She flipped through the channels, and when she found something she liked, she smiled and sat back in her seat. The music seemed to help her relax, but her back stiffened the second she noticed that we were pulling into my driveway. “I thought we were going to have dinner?”

“We are.”

I parked, then got out and walked over to Elsie’s side of the truck. As I opened her door, she gave me a perplexed look. “We’re going to have dinner here?”

“That’s the plan.”

Once she was out of the truck, I placed my palm on the small of her back and guided her up the front steps. Elsie had been to my place before, but she’d never been there alone. There was always a brother or two around, or she’d come by with the girls to grab something for Stitch. And even when she had come, it hadn’t been for long.

I opened the door, and as soon as Elsie stepped inside, she tilted her head back and inhaled a deep breath. Her eyes were wide with surprise as she turned to me and asked, “You cooked?”

“I did.” I closed the door behind us, then said, “You sound surprised.”

“Because I am. I had no idea you could cook.”

“I don’t very often, but tonight is a special occasion.”

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