Page 38 of Twist of Date

I will not kiss Cole Reed.

I will not kiss Cole Reed.

A knock at my door has me setting my jaw and I storm down the short hall. I gave him the code to get into the building, and since only a few people have that code, I know who it’s going to be.

Filling my lungs up with air, I let it out slowly through my mouth. Then peek through the peephole, confirming my guess.

I open the door wide and a sensation of warmth floods my entire being.

“Hey, Lays.” He grins at me. He’s wearing a black jacket, dark jeans, and dons a pair of Chucks. He’s also carrying a large brown bag and a smaller one in his other hand.

I force myself to stop ogling him and wave him in. “Hi, come in. Can I take something?”

He shakes his head, brushing past me, leaving me standing in a haze of scents. My tummy growls at the smell of greasy goodness but also a faint smell of citrus and some type of woodsy scent.

“Puppy!” He squeals like a kid. I close the door, smirking because I’ve got two very excited beings in my apartment now.

“Pepper, down,” I scold but can’t help smiling. She’s all wriggly and happy and Cole’s doing that puppy sweet-talk canines love so much.

“Give me the drinks and the food so you can say hi.” I laugh while freeing his hands of stuff.

He grins at me then down at Pepper before kneeling and giving her all the love. I let them have a moment while placing the dinner on the counter.

Half expecting him to lie down on the floor and let her slobber all over him, he gives her one last scratch behind the ear and stands.

“Told you I love dogs,” he says.

“No kidding. I’m almost jealous. That was some greeting.” I watch Pepper dance around at his feet as he shrugs off his jacket.

I point to his left at the coat hook and he crosses the small space and hangs it up.

“Aww, Lays, if I knew you’d be into it, I’d have given you an even better greeting.” Laughter plays in his voice.

The tips of my ears heat. Turning back toward the food, I peek into the bag to see what we have to eat.

“We’re eating at the counter here or the table over there?” he asks, coming up to stand near me. So close our arms brush.

Again with the heat. My body will be on fire before this evening is over.

“Table is good. Take this. I’ll get plates.”

“Your wish is my command.”

I playfully roll my eyes at him and he chuckles.

I gather some plates and napkins and silverware just in case he didn’t think of it all and forgot something. Though, I’m willing to bet he didn’t.

Moments later, everything is out on the table and my eyes go wide.

“What did you order for us? Are we expecting more people?” On the table are several plastic containers filled. That’s when I see the bag has a large FIRE logo on it, so dinner is from the popular burger joint he owns. Cole starts opening the lids and I see all the makings of burgers and toppings and fries and other sides.

“I didn’t know how you like your burger, so I had the kitchen put everything on the side. So it’s like a DIY burger bar for two.” He even fishes out some small cups of ketchup and mustard.

“Wow. Well, I’m really a bacon cheeseburger girl. Keeping it simple, but there are a few burgers on the menu that I’ve wanted to try but haven’t yet.” I take a seat opposite where he stands. See, the table was a good choice. More distance.

“Lucky for you, I got us sliders so you can try whatever you want. The menu is in the bag if you want to try some of those burgers you’re too scared to try.” He reaches into the bag and pulls out a long menu and hands it to me.

“I never said I was scared.” I scoff.

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