I extracted myself from under him and reached into the closet, grabbing two different shoes and letting him pick which would be better for our activity.
“Those boots were hot, but you’re hot in sneakers too.”
“Are we allowed to tell each other we’re hot outside the bedroom?”
“You’re hot everywhere, Annie. May as well say it. Come on. Where’s your overnight bag? I’ll carry it. I got you a drink in the car.”
“Ooh!”
He opened the car door for me, which he had done before, but this was our first time on a proper date, no other pretense. An outing and we’d go eat after.
And hope to God we didn’t run into anyone we knew.
I looked in the cupholder and screeched. A large fast food cup with a brown liquid in it. “You didn’t. You said it’s frying my brain!”
“Well, it is, but you’re going to drink it whether or not I buy it for you. May as well make you happy.”
I picked up the cup, sloshing it in my hand. “Is that pebble ice? This is a rare treat. Thanks, bub.” I sucked down a big sip. Pure heaven.
Nick was turned to me in the driver’s seat, his eyes cast down as he blushed. “You’re welcome.”
He hesitated before turning the truck on, staring at the space between us and rolling his lips.
He wanted to kiss me, but he was being shy. So I made the move for him. Leaning closer across the center console, I gently grasped the side of his neck, tracing my thumb over his throat. Without saying a word, I locked eyes with him and guided our lips together. The kiss was sweet and soft, a delicate addition of tongue that made me want to kick my feet and squeal. We held our faces close as we parted, him nuzzling my nose.
“Diet Coke tastes good on you,” he cooed.
“Diet Coke always tastes good,” I said seriously, then giggled.
He rolled his eyes and sat back, turning on the car and buckling his seatbelt.
We laughed and talked on the way to Venice. He told me about some extended tape prank Mikey was pulling on Leroy. Apparently, they used to hate each other, but were starting to love each other in a fun, spiteful way. I caught him up on the lunch-stealing drama at my office and how I was trying to stay on the good side of the people who ordered my Diet Coke.
Nick parked among the shops in Venice.
“Do they even have an ice rink here? Where are we skating?” I asked.
Nick got a big grin. “You’ll see.”
He paid his parking meter and I waited for him to lead me where we were going. The backs of his fingers brushed mine and my stomach swooped. Like it was freaking high school. I was excited about a finger brush. A few steps later, it happened again. A look over at him showed him looking nervous, flexing his hand before tucking it in his pocket and sucking in a breath.
“What?” he said, finally looking at me.
“You want to hold hands?”
“Oh, uh, we don’t have to,” he said, playing it off. “We’re almost there.”
We walked into a skate and snowboard store and I started laughing. “You meant skateboard? I thought you meant ice skating somewhere or rollerblading.”
He grinned and shrugged. “It’s Venice. When in Rome.”
“Nick, good to see you again.” A salesguy came around the counter with a big smile. “We’ve got your order ready.”
“Ever longboarded, Annie?”
I laughed and shook my head. “No. I have a feeling I’m about to be battered and bruised.”
Nick’s hand met my lower back, a little dampness pushing through my shirt. Nick’s hands were sweaty on our date. The thought alone gave me a chill. “You know me. I won’t let you fall.”
