The server comes, and I hand her a hundred. “Here is for the meals at this table.”
“Thank you,” the server says.
“You didn’t have to do that. I was planning to pay for my meal.”
“Yes, but there is no way I’m allowing you to pay for that jackass’s meal, and I don’t want him anywhere near you.” I take her hand and my order, walking her to the same vehicle she had gotten into earlier.
“After I have dinner with my sister, I’d like to talk. Maybe we can have a late-night drink.”
“I don’t drink,” she explains.
“I don’t either. A glass of milk, juice, or water? I know it’s too late for coffee.”
“That could be a very bad idea.”
“Or a perfect one.” I press my lips to her forehead, and she blushes.
“See you soon, Caroline.” She shakes her head and smiles before getting in. I wait for her to drive off before driving off behind her. We are both going to the same place anyway. It isn’t long before I pull into my sister’s driveway and I watch my future step into her own home.
The door swings open, and my sister snatches the bag out of my hand. “Finally. I’m starving.”
“You’re welcome.”
“So did you see her on her date?” she questions with eagerness shooting from her as she unpacked the bag. She set me up to find them together.
“That’s why you picked the place. You knew she had a date.” She should have told me the second she knew that shit.
“Yes, but I didn’t know what time they were going. Besides, it’s like the first time we actually had a real conversation.”
“I’m going to fix that. Soon she’ll be your sister-in-law, so you better play nice.”
“Wow, you’re moving at hyper speed. Be careful.”
“I will be.” That’s a lie because I’m not sure if there is a safe way to go about this feeling in me. It’s screaming rush and run, take and claim.
“Let’s eat. She and I need to have a long talk after dinner.”
“No sex.”
“Of course not.” Not yet. Maybe soon.
Chapter Four
Caroline
What was I doing? I left one crazy bad date to wait for a man who isn’t right for me either. I have to have lost my mind.
As soon as I get home, I’m pacing, going back and forth, looking for things to spruce up. Goodness, there isn’t anything I can do to calm my racing heart. I check my reflection several times in the front hall mirror, and yes, I still look as adorably flustered as I did two minutes earlier.
I turn and pace back to my sofa where I fluff my cute snowflake pillow and put it on my lap. I hear the sound of tires going over the snow so I’m back on my feet, wondering if he decided to leave. I walk to the door again, but it’s just a neighbor coming home. Then I take another look at my small, but cozy home and sigh.
Damn it, he’s going to rush right out the door the second he steps inside. My house looks like Candyland Christmas exploded in my living room. I have a pink and white Christmas tree with all the trimmings, straight out of Barbie’s dream house.
It’s not something I’m just going to stop loving out of nowhere and not for anyone.
The doorbell rings, and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest. I freeze in place, quickly calling out, “One minute.”
I rush to my front closet and slide on my boots. I slip on my coat, and then my hat, snagging my keys just in case. Stepping out on the porch, I close the door behind me.
