Page 50 of The Lake House

“I had a wonderful time, too. Thank you so much for taking me out,” she responds, but to my disappointment, she doesn’t mention anything about a second date.

Until she does.

“I would love to go out with you again.”

A smile forms on my face. “That’s great to hear. How’s this Thursday night? I know this great place that has specials every Thursday evening.” I’m not going to waste any time setting up another date with her. I know Chuck Larry’s, the local spot on Main Street, has music and dancing every Thursday night as they serve the house specials. If you’re from Silver Mist, then you damn sure know Chuck Larry’s. I wonder if she’s ever been there before.

She smiles. “Thursday is perfect.”

I seriously consider leaning down and planting a kiss on her sweet lips, but I’m going to try to control myself so she doesn’t think I’m only trying to get into her pants.

As much as I’d want to right now, I really want this to blossom into something wonderful if she lets it. I have a really good feeling about the possibility of Giules and I having something good and real here.

So, instead of kissing her lips, I settle on her cheek. “Good night, Giules.”

I see a questioning look on her face and then a small smile forms on her lips. “Good night, Declan.”

ChapterEighteen

GIULIANA

Idon’t know what hit me or came over me to speak so freely in front of him, but I couldn’t stop the words as they came out of my mouth.

“A guy like you.... meaning gorgeous and perfect in every way?”

Oh, my God... never had I ever imagined I’d be able to say those things to him, even though I’ve thought about them plenty of times before. Well, that and so much more.

But damn, talking to Declan is so easy.

A little too easy if you ask me. I mean, just the way I spat out things about Todd and how I’m feeling about the end of my marriage… what? Who is this person and where is the real Giuliana Bianchi?

I turn my body to the other side of the bed and scan through the pictures. I had snapped a few of Declan and me while we rode the Ferris Wheel.

Damn, I really wish he would have kissed me at one point this evening to let me know he still likes me. I mean, yeah, I get he wants to see me again, and that’s a great sign. But if he finds me attractive and if he likes what he saw, then why the hell didn’t he just kiss me? Not even a good-night kiss? He opted for the cheek. Should I feel dissed?

I shake my head, dismissing the thoughts. I know he likes me. I can tell by how he was looking at me, the way he acted, and the things he said. Plus, he wouldn’t have asked for a second date if he didn’t, right?

Right.

I just really, really, really wanted to taste his full lips.

Damn, he’s so fine. I wish I would have had the guts to kiss him myself.

I run a finger over the photo on my phone of Declan and me and then smile. It was a great date, and I can’t wait until I see him again this Thursday. I wonder what he’s got in mind this time.

Placing the phone onto the night table next to the bed, I flip over on my other side, close my eyes, and welcome a peaceful sleep.

* * *

Liv frowns at me.

“What?” I question, even though I know what she wants. She’s waiting for me to give her all the juicy details from last night’s date with Declan.

She shakes her head. “You know exactly what I want.”

I squint my eyes, smiling. “Yeah, but it’s so much fun to see you squirm!”

Shaking her head yet again, she answers, “You are so not nice!”

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