Page 59 of Take Me Home

“So pretty! And really sweet of you. Makes me feel special. Thank you, Jake.” She beamed at me through those dark, thick eyelashes as she took the flowers.

“Well, you are special. You deserve to feel it,” I said, my face definitely fully blushing at that point. The effect this woman had on me, I swear. “Should we get some barbecue?”

“Yes, I’m starving,” she said. Then I was paralyzed by indecision. Should I put my hand on her waist? Hold her hand? The lower back move? I settled for guiding her by her mid-back to the passenger side of the truck, some hybrid of waist and lower back.

“Wow, look at you go, sir,” Darcy joked as I opened her door and held out my hand to help her up into the truck.

“You said door-to-door service. I want to live up to the expectations,” I teased. My heart was in my throat as I walked to the driver’s side.Breathe, Jake. She likes you. Just be with her.

I turned on the truck and the radio came to life with Alan Jackson’s Chattahoochee. Darcy’s face lit up.

“Yes! The perfect summer song,” she said, leaning over to turn it up a little. She examined the space between us on the bench seat. I wished I could have her sit right in the middle so I could touch her while I drove. Maybe it was for the best for my driving skills that she wasn’t right next to me.

“Thought you might like it. You can control the music, though,” I said, shuffling around the dash for the aux cord.

“Damn! To what do I owe this honor?” she asked.

“I trust you,” I said, glancing at her as I put my hand behind her headrest to turn around. Her breath shuddered a little, and I remembered something my sisters said about it being hot when guys back up a car like that. I tried not to let my ego float away. My eyes walked the length of her body. “You look really pretty, Darcy. I love your hair.” I twisted a curl in my fingers before returning my hand to the steering wheel.

“Thank you,” she said, looking touched. “I guess you’re used to seeing me in work or lounge clothes. And with wild hair.”

“For the record, I like it wild, too,” I said, grinning at her. She looked at me skeptically. “What? I do. You have great hair. By the way, that cup of water is for the flowers. Didn’t want them to wilt while we’re out.”

“Shit, that’s…really thoughtful,” Darcy said.

“I told you I’d treat you nice,” I said with a sly smile.

“I didn’t even expect flowers, honestly. It was a nice surprise,” she said, looking at me as she dropped the flowers into the cup.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week. I wanted to show you that,” I said, nerves eating away at my insides. It was scary being vulnerable, but if I wanted to win her over for good, it was time to be honest. No more holding back.

She gazed at me with soft eyes, then looked down at her phone. “Alright, 90’s country or 70’s rock?”

“Like Zeppelin or like Fleetwood?”

“Oh, Fleetwood for sure,” she scoffed. “Rumours might be the best album of all time.”

“Strong declaration, Rossetti.”

“I feel strongly about it.”

“Alright, do the 70’s rock, then. We’ll probably get enough 90’s country tonight,” I said.

“As if there could ever be enough 90’s country,” she laughed. Brandy by Looking Glass started on the speakers and Darcy turned it down low enough so we could talk. “Oh, hey, I forgot to ask. Did your team win today?”

“It was a hard-fought battle, but yes, we won,” I told her.

“Aw, that’s awesome! Congrats! You’ve put in a lot of time with them. I’m sure they adore you,” Darcy gushed.

I told her more about the game, and going out for ice cream. Darcy didn’t respond. I looked over and noticed she was in that charmed-snake daze I’d seen her take on when she was some combination of turned on and distracted. I didn’t even care that she hadn’t been listening. I loved that I had an effect on her.

“Darcy, you over there?”

“What? Sorry. Did you say something?”

I gave her my best cocky grin, knowing I was about to mess with her so hard. It was so fun teasing her and I was pretty sure she loved it when I did.

“Something catch your attention?”

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