“Ah, do you miss me, Gray?”
He snorts. “I miss you about as much as I miss chewing glass.”
I smile to myself, placing my purse and cardigan on the table beside the door. “It’s six fifty-five. He’s cutting it close.”
“I’m sure he’ll be there,” Astrid says as I walk to the kitchen. “Are you nervous?”
“No. Hey, how long do you have until your sourdough starter dies? Or whatever it does?”
“It’s very forgiving. As long as you feed it and you?—”
“I have to feed it?” I swing the refrigerator door open and look in on Matilda. “Why would Lucia give me something that I have to keep alive?”
The jar is as bubbly and, quite frankly, gross as it was when my sister delivered it to me. I shrug and close the door.
“Call me tomorrow afternoon if you want to bake a loaf,” Astrid says. “I’m going to make some bread to take to the retirement center in town anyway, so I can walk you through the process.”
“Sounds riveting.”
She laughs. The sound of her laughter blends with the doorbell's tone echoing through the house.He’s here.
“Okay, focus,” I say, leaning her against a fruit bowl and stepping far enough away so she can see most of me. “Fit check. What do you think? Same rules apply as earlier—lie to me if you must.”
“You’re beautiful, Gianna. Those pants make your ass look amazing, and the top shows off your boobs. Shiny hair, glowy skin—you couldn’t possibly look any better. He’s not going to be able to keep his hands off you.”
That’s the plan.
I blow her a kiss. “That’s why you’re my best friend. Now, I gotta go. I’ll call you after with all the details.”
“Love you.”
“Love you most. Bye.”
I end the call and make my way to the front door once again. I drop my phone into my purse so it’s not in my hand when I see him.How tacky. Then I take a deep breath, will my heart to stop thundering like a storm cloud, and open the door.
“Hey,” I say as it swings far enough for me to see him. “You’re here, and you’re three minutes early.”
“If you’re not early, you’re late.” He drags his gaze down my body unapologetically. “Wow, Gianna. You’re absurdly beautiful.”
Absurdly beautiful?No man has ever called methatbefore. “Thank you. I have to say that Date Drake is much hotter than Office Drake, and I didn’t think that was possible.”
He lifts a brow and the corner of his mouth. “Oh, really?”
“You should know by now that I don’t lie.”
We face each other, neither of us speaking for a long moment. The space between us is relaxed, and I could reach out and touch him without feeling at all awkward. This isn’t how first dates usually go, but then again, I’m not usually fake real dating guys I’m already friends with.
I grab my purse and cardigan and then step onto the front porch. He moves to the side while I lock up and then waits for me to descend the stairs first.Like a true gentleman.
“I would’ve brought you flowers, but I know that’s triggering for you,” he jokes, pulling open the passenger door of his Mercedes.
“Smelling a funeral before our date would’ve been a bit of a downer.”
He offers me a hand as I climb into the seat. “I tried to think of something to replace it with, like candy or a puppy.”
“A puppy?” I laugh. “Dear lord, don’t bring me a puppy. I can barely keep myself alive.”
He grins as he shuts the door and makes his way around the front of the vehicle. He moves effortlessly. A thin black sweater hugs his broad shoulders, making him appear bigger and more solid than usual. His thighs fill out the caramel-colored pants, highlighting his trim waist. The man,my new boyfriend, is a walking advertisement for physical fitness, and I am not mad about it.
