I fumbled with the keys and finally got the door open, letting him step inside behind me.The bell gave its usual cheerful ring.
I turned to face him and found him already watching me.It felt very predator versus prey.But I thought maybe that was just the confidence of a man his age.
“I’m taking you out,” he said.
My brows lifted.“You are?”
“Yeah.”No hesitation.No nerves.“Tonight.”
I laughed softly.“A little bold, aren’t you?”
He grinned.“I figured I earned it after pretending to shop for other people just to talk to you.”
That caught me.
The honesty.
I didn’t know what to say, so I looked down at my coffee instead and mumbled, “Okay.”
He took my phone, added his number and told me he'd pick me up after work.
After he left, I excitedly looked for it because I realized he had never given me his name.But the newest contact didn't have his name; it was listed as 'Last First Date'.My heart stuttered a beat.Was this guy for real?
The day dragged.Customers came and went, but my mind kept looping on those words:I’m taking you out.
I didn’t know anything about him.
Not really.
Not even his name.
But I couldn’t stop thinkingabouthim.
About the way, he looked at me.
About the fact that he showed up early just to give me coffee and make sure I saw him first.
The store was closing when Abby showed up, dragging her laptop and muttering about needing to escape her “tiny sick gremlin.”
“Reggie got home from work, so I figured I’d do inventory before my brain melts.Also, why do you look so peppy?”
I blinked.“What?”
“You have date energy.Don’t lie.You’re glowing.”
I snorted.“Maybe because Idohave a date.”
Her jaw dropped.“You do not.”
“I do.”I tried to play it cool, but the smile tugged at my mouth anyway.
Abby narrowed her eyes like she was trying to solve a riddle.“Is it Hot Book Guy?”
I didn’t answer.I had told her about a guy that had caught my attention and how he had kept coming into the store...but nothing else.
She gasped.“It’sHot Book Guy.”
I laughed.“You need to stop calling him that.”
