Page 12 of Screwing With The Scrooge

“I’m headed over to Foster’s place. That storm last night took out a tree so we’re going to cut it up as best we can, move it out of the way, and all that. You should come help.”

“I will,” I promise him, and he waves as he climbs into his car and heads back down the road.

I take a deep breath as I climb into my truck, letting it warm up before I shift into drive and head into town.

I can’t believe that I’m doing this, and those feelings are only amplified when I drive by my childhood home.

I grew up hearing about how I killed my mom and how I wasn’t worth anything. I was the bane of my father’s existence, and leaving to join the Army was supposed to my way of proving him wrong.

My hips aches and I shift in my seat, rubbing the spot where I was shot. I know that I should take it easy today, rest it, but I have a feeling that Townes will hunt me down if I don’t go help with Foster’s tree.

The bakery comes into view, and I take a deep breath.

It’s just a date. Just dinner. I’m just trying to even the score since she cooked for me,I tell myself as I park out front and head inside before I can talk myself out of this.

I feel like I’m going to throw up as I walk in the door. The scent of her baked goods has my mouth watering, and I take a few deep breaths as I walk up to the counter.

“Be right with you!” She calls from the back, and I debate bolting back out to my truck.

Abort! This is not a good idea. When I inevitably mess this all up, then things are going to be really awkward. I’ll have to see her all of the time and –

Olive comes out of the back smiling at something on her phone, and my heart kicks so hard against my ribs that I’m surprised none of them break.

Fuck.

I want her.

It’s been so long since I’ve wanted anything. I’ve learned to just get by with what I have, to not ask for too much, but dammit, I need her. I somehow know that if she ever left me, it would ruin me. I would never be able to survive that loss. Still, the chance of being with her is worth the risk.

“Xavier,” she says with a bright smile as her green eyes meet mine.

She looks like a mischievous fairy, and I want to see what kind of trouble we can get into.

“Have dinner with me,” I blurt out.

My voice comes out low and gravely, and I see her shiver as her face brightens.

“Sure? Any special occasion?” She asks, teasing me, and I bite back my own smile.

“It’s a date.”

She nods, looking serious for a beat as she studies me.

“Alright,” she agrees quietly.

I stare at her. It feels like something huge just shifted between us. There are no more games or pranks to hide behind. It’s not just teasing now. This is real. We’ve both just admitted that we want this with the other and there’s no going back now.

“I’ll see you tonight.”

“Okay, I’m off at four today.”

“I’ll come by your place at five to get you then.”

She nods, and I want to reach for her. I want to squeeze her hand or wipe the trace of flour from her cheek, but the door opens behind me, and instead, I take one last look at her and then head back out to my truck.

I’m both relieved and anxious as I climb behind the wheel and head over to help my friends.

At least she said yes.

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